Rebel Moon Part Two--The Scargiver, page 1
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Leave us a Review
Copyright
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Acknowledgments
About the Author
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Rebel Moon Part Two – The Scargiver: The Official Novelization
Print edition ISBN: 9781803367330
E-book edition ISBN: 9781803367347
Published by Titan Books
A division of Titan Publishing Group Ltd
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 0UP
www.titanbooks.com
First edition: June 2024
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead (except for satirical purposes), is entirely coincidental.
REBEL MOONTM / © Netflix 2024. Used with permission.
V. Castro asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
1
NOBLE’S EYES WERE WILD WITH DELIRIOUS FURY. THE MEDICAL TECH’S GAZE darted towards Noble and back to the hologram readout. “Look at his vitals, I don’t dare up the dosage.”
“Do it!” said Dr Mons.
With hesitant steps, the assistant walked to the bio mainframe and pulled a lever attached to a unit containing different fluids. Through a clear tube, a viscous pale-yellow concoction of sedatives traveled from the mainframe into Noble’s body. The room of techs watched on silent tenterhooks.
Noble’s entire body fell limp in an instant as the sedation hit his system. The hologram displaying his vitals showed his brain activity and heart returning to stable levels. The new assistant closed his eyes and exhaled. The rest of the techs went back to their previous tasks. Dr Mons turned his attention to the assistant. “Now that he is stable, we must continue to phase two.”
A chrysalis of thin fibrous strings began to web across Noble’s body. Every inch became covered in the membrane. The main doors to the medical bay opened. Cassius entered, his eyes immediately gravitating towards Noble. He watched in his usual stoic manner as his superior was being attended to. He moved to Dr Mons’s side. “He’s alive.”
Dr Mons nodded his head. “He is… just.” Cassius and the doctor watched Noble disappear beneath the slimy, tight casing.
“Have all the files pertaining to these procedures been sent to the Motherworld?” asked Cassius.
Dr Mons turned to face him. “Once we brought him back… we received a communique from the Motherworld with a list of bio-enhancements…” He walked towards the bio mainframe with multiple monitors. Cassius followed him and noticed the techs trying not to glance at Cassius, who would be in charge if any of this went wrong.
Dr Mons pointed to one of the screens. “I thought it was a mistake. We were lucky he was alive at all. No way he could survive the trauma associated with changing his biology on a molecular level. I protested and was told… ‘If he dies, he dies.’ I don’t know who he angered at home, but this order came from the highest levels.”
Cassius’s eyes darted from scanning the document from the Motherworld back to the doctor. “Yet, he survived.” He then glanced back at Noble. He wondered if he had sided with the wrong admiral. Was his loyalty misplaced with the wrong man? One thing he did know: if Noble wronged or challenged Balisarius, they would both be considered expendable. Perhaps another plan, in place for himself, would have to be conceived.
“Yes… he did. I don’t know whose bad side he is on, but this order came from the highest levels. It is not for me to question,” said Dr Mons.
“Call me when he is ready.”
The doctor nodded and Cassius returned to commanding the ship.
* * *
Cassius walked closer to Noble just as his eyes began to flutter. He smacked his lips. The casing around his face and neck had already been removed. He winced as he swallowed hard. His eyes opened to narrow slits before squinting at Cassius. He opened his mouth to speak but no words emerged. Cassius turned to Dr Mons, who nodded. Cassius leaned his ear closer to Noble’s lips.
“…Cassius. Cassius, where am I?” he whispered in a hoarse voice.
Cassius moved away from Noble. “You’re aboard your ship, sir, The King’s Gaze. We have been holding in orbit around Gondival hoping for your recovery, sir. And thank God our prayers have been answered.”
Noble stared at Cassius. “If I had died, the ship would have been yours, Cassius.”
Cassius did not respond or show the slightest emotion. It might have been his, but there would have been a lot to answer for to the Motherworld. “Sir… I’m just happy you’re alive and we eagerly await your return to command.”
Noble’s eyes searched the room before meeting Cassius’s gaze again. “Is that so… Well then Cassius, listen to me… Veldt. She’s on Veldt,” he said in a whisper through clenched teeth.
Cassius’s brow furrowed. He had an inkling, but had learned long ago to let Noble lead. Sometimes it was better to act like you knew nothing to get precisely the information you wanted. “Who is?”
Noble attempted to lift his head and his eyes narrowed again, this time with an angry glare. “The Scargiver. The hated other. She’s on Veldt. Set a course for Veldt.”
“What about Devra Bloodaxe? The mission is not complete. I know we will be asked about the rebels and we need a satisfactory answer.”
“Secondary. They are weak on their own. She won’t stand a chance now. And when I have Arthelais in my grasp… No one will care she hasn’t been captured yet.”
Noble shook his head and blinked before he fell back on the platform. He stared at the ceiling without saying another word.
Cassius gave him a salute. “Yes, Admiral. It will be done.”
He turned to the doctor and gave him a short nod, then walked back to the main deck to set their course and ensure their plan on Veldt was still in place. Before beginning his transmission to Veldt, while straightening his uniform, an officer paused the comms to start the hologram. “Do you think it’s wise to tell them we are still on course?”
Cassius pushed the officer’s hand away from the hologram pad, and made a point to keep eye contact. “We need the girl, and we need the harvest. Both await us on Veldt. No matter what fight they offer, both will be taken.”
The officer saluted Cassius and left. Cassius paused in front of the hologram. For the first time, he felt his loyalty to Noble waver. He knew exactly who Noble was and what motivated him. It had taken years for him to know how to handle that man. But if Noble went down, then so would Cassius. He could see this had become personal. That was usually when matters became reckless and messy. He had seen many in the Imperium rise then fall because they became too willing to think they were above their station by taking liberties.
Balisarius made Noble seem like a wet nurse. Noble was not someone he was willing to die for. And these rebels made him pause. He’d watched them fight against great odds on Gondival. Two separate groups of rebels joined for one cause, to attempt to stand against the Imperium. The plan was meant to be perfect, yet Noble found himself defeated, and only one Bloodaxe was dead. They had proved they were willing to die for a united cause, and each other. This bond was greater than the Imperium, and that was dangerous.
2
KORA AND THE BAND OF WEARY BUT UNSCATHED WARRIORS MADE THE EASY journey from the lush forested mountains and into the tucked-away valley towards the village. Kora and Gunnar glanced at each other when they reached the edge of the dirt road leading into the outskirts of the village. They expected it to be bustling in activity, but it was the opposite. The village was quiet, seemingly desolate. No one worked in the fields or outside. All the uraki had to be in the stables because they too were absent. Kora turned to Gunnar with one hand on her hip, close to her weapon. Her body and face straightened with tension upon this odd sight. She shifted from calm and relief from making it back in one piece after fighting Noble to high alert. In a way, she was more comfortable in this tense state. “No one is in the fields.”
Gunnar shook his head and scanned the village, paying attention to every detail. “Look. Smoke from the longhouse. The hearths are lit. Let’s find out what’s going on.”
Gunnar and Kora picked up their pace towards the stone bridge as they approached the longhouse, hoping to find o
“We watched your descent down the eastern slope. I am Hagen.” His eyes softened as he said this and looked at Kora with genuine joy. Hagen approached the warriors with Den next to him. “This is Den. We welcome you to our humble village. You must be tired and hungry.”
Titus held up his flask. “And thirsty.”
Hagen nodded and clapped his hands together. “We have prepared food and drink for you in the longhouse.” Gunnar slapped Hagen on the shoulder with a large smile then turned to the warriors. “Come on, you’ll see what great hosts my people can be.”
Hagen, Gunnar, and Den turned to walk into the longhouse. The rest of the warriors followed, with Kora staying behind the crowd. “Kora!” a voice shouted.
Kora saw Sam and smiled. She appeared well. The young woman waved to her then turned to run in the direction of the granary. Kora’s gaze moved to the towering mountains. It was nice to feel rooted to the ground again in a place of such beauty. She inhaled deeply before turning to join the rest in the longhouse.
* * *
Sam ran into the granary, out of breath and rosy cheeked. “They’ve come back!” She stood in front of him, smiling and buzzing with excitement.
Aris rose from the barrel he sat on, fixing and cleaning weapons. This news made him equally excited. “How do they look?”
“Strong. I guess how warriors should look. I knew Kora would make it back. We have real fighters joining us.”
Aris’s initial excitement died down when he thought about the practical. “How many of them?”
“Six… with Kora and Gunnar.”
He shook his head, appearing crushed by the number, and looked around the granary that still stored Imperium equipment. “Six? Then it won’t matter how strong they look.”
Sam’s face dropped. “Oh.”
Aris walked towards Sam and reached for both her hands when a series of loud beeps rang out. It was his superiors reaching out via the comms link. His eyes darted around frantically. “Hide! You can’t be seen.”
Sam nodded and ducked behind stacked crates. Satisfied she was out of sight, he rushed to the hologram. Before answering, he ran his fingers through his hair and made sure his uniform appeared tidy. He swiped the plate to receive the transmission. A familiar face appeared. “Commander Cassius,” said Aris as he saluted.
“Soldier. All is as it should be, I trust?”
“Yes, sir. All is on target.”
Cassius never surprised Aris with how difficult he was to read. The man was a master at never betraying his thoughts or emotions. He stared at Aris with a short pause. “Nothing out of the ordinary?”
Aris matched his stoic expression. “No, sir.”
“Very well. Ensure the harvest is brought in as planned and ready for our arrival in five days’ time.” Cassius ended the transmission abruptly after saying this.
Aris stared at the space which Cassius just inhabited then slowly turned towards Sam’s hiding space. “You can come out now.”
Sam rose to her feet with caution. Her face no longer showed disappointment. There was worry mixed with terror at the memory of the violence they had experienced at the hands of the soldiers. Her voice warbled. “Five days?”
Aris nodded, looking just as somber. “We need to go to the longhouse now.”
* * *
The longhouse was empty when the group of warriors entered. Only a single hearth had been lit, but there were loaves of bread, hard cheeses, dried fruit, fresh vegetables, and meat. Apples in a basket sat next to jugs of water and ale. Tarak turned to Titus after not seeing the villagers. “Not much of a first impression… or welcome,” he said in a low voice.
Hagen cleared his throat and clasped his hands in front the warriors. “Our villagers have prepared a bounty of food and drink to demonstrate their fealty and gratitude at your arrival.”
Kora looked around the longhouse in confusion. “But where are they? Are they hiding?”
Hagen shook his head. “Not hiding themselves… To show their deference they hide their shame.”
“Shame? Of what?” said Kora.
Den looked at Kora then back to the warriors. “How would you feel, the lot of you, if you could not stand for yourselves to protect your own home? If you had to ask others to lay down their lives for you? This has never happened in our history.”
“Give them time. It’s a difficult thing these people have done. To swallow their pride enough to even ask for help. That is bravery itself,” said Milius, who then turned to Hagen. “They should see there is no shame in our being here.”
Kora smiled at Milius then glanced back to Den and Hagen. “And as it happens, nobody need lay down their lives. A defense is no longer needed. Admiral Noble is dead. We killed him.”
“You killed him, Kora,” said Gunnar with eyes shining brightly as he looked at her.
Hagen appeared shocked upon hearing this news. He exchanged an excited look with Den. Both men beamed with large smiles. “You do not believe they will return?” asked Hagen.
“I don’t. It’s Imperial protocol, in the event of an admiral’s death, to return to the Motherworld at once,” said Kora, matching Hagen’s joy. The room lightened as she delivered this news. Hagen stepped closer to her. “Then I owe you an even deeper debt than I…”
“You’re wrong.” Everyone turned towards the voice coming from the entrance of the longhouse. It was Aris with Sam by his side. He continued, “I’ve just heard word they will be here in five days.”
Den’s head snapped towards Kora. “I thought you said you’d killed Admiral Noble.”
Kora’s eyes searched the floor as she thought back to those final moments looking at his crushed body. The blood surrounding him like a red aura of death. “I did kill him. His body was smashed on the rocks. He is dead. It’s against protocol to come without an admiral to command the ship.”
Titus took a step forward. “We all saw him, but believe me when I say death is not always a deterrent for the designs of the Motherworld. They must be in more need of this grain than we could have known.” He turned to Hagen. “Call your villagers.”
Hagen gave him a nod before rushing out the door. Moments later, the loud clear tone of the bell rang through the village for all to hear. The group of warriors followed Kora walking out of the longhouse to join Hagen. The villagers began to emerge from their houses, knowing the bell was not a sound to ignore. They glanced at Hagen, then kept their eyes on the foreign warriors while keeping a respectful distance. When everyone seemed to be gathered, he addressed the crowd like the natural leader he was, standing tall with confidence. His deep voice boomed and carried.
“Dark days lie ahead of us all. When the time comes we may all have to stand together. In battle, as brothers, where no one life is more valuable than the other. To succeed, there must be trust between us. But trust is a river that must flow both ways. In time we will show you how to fight. First, we must see your strength and the way of the land. If we do not act quickly, the destruction of your village is all but assured.” He paused to scan the crowd’s reaction then turned to Hagen. “How long does it take to bring in your crop?”
“Half a cycle around Mara.”
Titus shook his head. “It must be done in three days’ time.” Den and Hagen exchanged glances. There was a murmur amongst the villagers after he said this. Titus continued. “We need every man and woman who is able. The grain is the most powerful weapon. Without it they are liable to blow us out of existence from orbit. If we bring it in fast, we can use it as a bartering tool and shield.”
Den turned to Kora. “I thought you said they wouldn’t negotiate.”
“Admiral Noble wouldn’t have. The fact they are coming without him… Whoever is his second in command just might be willing to do a trade.”
The villagers looked at each other with worry and skepticism. Some whispered to each other. No one else spoke out loud. Titus walked down the steps towards the villagers. “Rest well. The work begins at dawn.” The crowd dispersed back to their homes.
