“Why are you doing this to me?” Keryn bemoaned. “This isn’t fair!”
“This isn’t about equality and fairness,” the elder Wyndgaart of the High Council said, his voice coming from the speakers within the furnished crew compartment of the transport ship. “This is about you finding Cardax and locating out the information we seek. The Oterian is a threat that must be eliminated before he can do any more harm.”
Keryn crossed her arms and sulked, leaning back heavily against the upholstered chair. “You’ve just told me that we’re going to attack Earth, one of the greatest assaults that will ever be recorded in history. But instead of me leading my Squadron, you’re asking me to give that up to pursue some Oterian smuggler? I don’t give a damn about this Cardax person or what he knows. I care about my team and I want to stay in command. I want to lead my Squadron during the assault!”
“This isn’t about what you want, Commander Riddell,” the Oterian Councilmember interceded. “You have repeatedly reiterated that you are genuinely concerned about your pilots and members of your Squadron. You act as though your concern for the Fleet is your top priority.”
“That is my priority,” Keryn replied curtly.
“You watched the Vindicator be destroyed, did you not?” the Avalon Councilmember interrupted, her musical voice soothing Keryn’s raw nerves. “The Terran Fleet used rockets filled with the same Deplitoxide that Cardax sold them. It ruined the engines and left them helpless to the Terran attack. Thousands of Alliance crew, pilots, and soldiers died in that attack. Cardax will not stop, and neither will the Empire. If we do not find this smuggler, thousands more will die from his betrayal.”
Keryn ground her teeth together. She understood the concept of betrayal. It was the same emotion she felt burning inside her. There had never been a time when Keryn had not strove to be the best. Now, she was watching the culmination of all her hard work disappearing as she was stripped of her command in order to lead a different mission. Looking at the console’s monitor, she stared into the eyes of the wizened Councilmembers, sitting around the semi-circle table. Their stern visages let her know that she truly did not have an option of whether or not to accept her new mission. Against her better judgment, Keryn knew that defying the will of the High Council simply wasn’t a choice she could make.
Sighing, Keryn responded. “Explain the mission to me again.”
“Interrogations of the surviving Terrans revealed the startling information,” the Lithid Councilmember answered in a gravelly voice. “Nearly a year ago, the Oterian smuggler named Cardax had a fairly insignificant organization, mainly moving equipment, supplies, and weapons around the Demilitarized Zone. His operation was supplying armaments to dissidents living around or on the contested planets. Though he ran a fairly small organization, his group grew in popularity almost overnight after he began advertising a new chemical weapon. The weapon, the same Deplitoxide that was used against us, brought him too far into the spotlight for him to continue working in the shadows.”
“Once we were aware of his operation,” the elder Pilgrim continued, “we had no choice but to send a team after him. If half of what he claimed was true, then the Deplitoxide was too dangerous to remain on the open market. Unfortunately, Cardax discovered our plans before we had a chance to apprehend him. He fled, hiding among his clientele and remaining off our radar. We continued to pursue him, but to no avail.”
Keryn furrowed her brow in confusion. “If that’s the case, then how did the Terran Empire wind up with the Deplitoxide?”
“Cardax became careless,” the Uligart responded. “In his overzealousness to elude capture by Alliance forces, he was driven too far into the Demilitarized Zone. A Terran patrol came upon his ship and captured him. For the next few months, Cardax was tortured by the Terrans while the small samples of Deplitoxide were examined by a Terran scientist named Doctor Solomon. In the end, the Empire realized the limitless potential of the chemical and demanded more from Cardax. In a moment of cowardice, Cardax agreed to become the supplier for the Terran Empire.”
“The Terrans have made Cardax both very wealthy and very dangerous,” the Wyndgaart said. “He is openly supplying the Empire with Deplitoxide now, though neither the Empire nor the Alliance knows his source for the unusual chemical. We would require you to discover the source by any means necessary.”
“What is this Deplitoxide?” Keryn asked, feeling the weight of helplessness settling over her.
“We were able to analyze some of the chemical that was retrieved from the captured Terran Destroyer, though there was too little to do any in depth research,” the Lithid explained. “It’s an organic compound that absorbs large amounts of heat. The individual cell membranes allow heat to be trapped within its nucleus and, as a result, created a thick, black byproduct. The internal heat also causes cellular mitosis, resulting in an exponentially expanding number of the organic cells.”
Keryn remembered the engines on the Vindicator sputtering and dying. “So fire a rocket full of this Deplitoxide into a plasma engine, and these little buggers won’t quit multiplying until they’ve absorbed all the fuel cells?”
“A crude but effective description,” the Avalon replied.
Clenching her fists, Keryn looked away from the monitor. She felt split, her anger focused on two separate targets. On one hand, she hated being used. The High Council knew her skills would be invaluable against the Earth defenses. But instead of leading her Squadron, she’d be relegated to a lesser mission. She felt as though, inadvertently, she had done something wrong; that she had somehow wronged the High Council and this was her punishment. Cardax, however, infuriated Keryn. Not only was he a traitor to his own kind, to all of the Alliance, he was also directly responsible for the destruction of the Vindicator. The buckling hull and the screams of the dying that had echoed across her radio channel had haunted Keryn ever since. If there was a way to bring retribution for all their deaths, Keryn wanted to be the harbinger of his death.
“I have more questions,” she stated flatly.
“We have answers,” the Pilgrim stated.
“Where do I find Cardax?”
The Pilgrim smiled, his face cracking into a web of wrinkles. “So you’ve accepted our mission?”
Keryn frowned. “I don’t see that I have much choice in the matter.”
“There’s always a choice,” the Oterian explained. “You just wouldn’t like the alternative. Cardax has already established a neutral meeting location in the Demilitarized Zone. It was from this planet that he made the delivery to his Terran agents. The small, desert planet is called Pteraxis. Go there, and bring back the information.”
“And Cardax?” Keryn asked.
“He is of little consequence once you have the information,” the Uligart said coldly.
Keryn smiled softly at the news, though it did little to warm her feeling of being punished. “When do I get my team?”
“They are being assigned to you as we speak,” said the Avalon. “They will be joining you on the Revolution tomorrow. For the majority of your trip, you will remain on board the Revolution as you train your team. Once you are ready, you will take the Cair Ilmun and depart the Cruiser. Your ship has been outfitted with extra weaponry and the interior has been modified for extended living conditions.” The Avalon unfurled her wings and leaned back in her chair. “If there is nothing else…”
“I have one more question,” Keryn interrupted, staring defiantly at the screen. “Who takes over my Squadron?”
The Councilmembers turned to one another inquisitively. Keryn realized with a sudden heartache that a decision on her Squadron was of miniscule importance to the Council, regardless of how important it was to Keryn.
“You know the Squadron better than anyone,” the Wyndgaart answered. “Therefore, it only makes sense that you get to decide who takes over your Squadron now. We trust in your decision.”
But you don’t trust me enough to lead the assault on Earth, Keryn thought sourly. Without the formal dismissal from the High Council, Keryn reached up and turned off the console. She didn’t want to face any more of their questions, nor did she want to ask any more of her own. Whatever happened from this point on, Keryn was on her own.
Her mind full of chaotic thoughts, she exited the private transport and stood in the now empty causeway leading into the Farimas Space Station. Thoughts of her few nights within the station warmed Keryn’s heart and left her with a longing for more. Instead of entering the city, however, she turned the opposite way and entered the elevator. Alone on the spacious lift, Keryn stared out the window as they exited the confines of the station and shot upward toward the orbiting ring and the dozens of awaiting Cruisers. The entire Fleet was docked above her, save the few ships still remaining in star systems throughout Alliance space, guarding key planets. The Alliance had invested everything they had to bringing this war to a swift and violent end. And, as her comrades in arms fought for their lives, Keryn would be wandering some arid, backwater planet, searching for Oterian filth among a planet of garbage. Her hatred renewed, she stormed off the lift as soon as it stopped, barely acknowledging the two guards posted outside the entryway to the Revolution.
There were a lot of decisions to be made, Keryn realized, and many tasks to be accomplished over the next few weeks. Aside from meeting her new team, she would have to do research to learn anything she could about Pteraxis. The last thing she wanted was to lead her team blindly onto an unknown planet. Thought of her brother Eza flashed through her mind. Had his leaders felt the same way before they were led to the slaughter? Or had they done their research and everyone died anyway? More importantly, she knew that she had to pick someone to be her replacement. It had to be someone she trusted explicitly; otherwise she wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving her Squadron in their hands. In her mind, there was truly only one person she thought capable of the job.
So lost was she in her thoughts that she ran directly into Yen before realizing he was there. His broad smile distracted Keryn from her thoughts, but simultaneously pained her deeply. Confident in their mutual affection, Yen was oblivious to the fact that their time together had been cut painfully short. After a moment of staring at one another, Keryn noticed that there was a worry behind Yen’s eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Yen said, suddenly distracted. “Did you hear? We’re going to attack…”
“Earth,” she interrupted. “Yes, I had heard.”
“You have an uncanny knack for knowing everything before I do, and you’re not even the psychic one in this relationship.”
Keryn laughed softly. “Call it women’s intuition.”
“I call it unnerving,” Yen replied with a smile. “Where have you been? I looked for you during the briefing, but I never saw you come in.”
“That’s because I never did. I had… another obligation to take care of.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Keryn shook her head. “Maybe later. Right now, all I want to do is go back to your place and curl up in your arms. If I don’t, I think I might scream.”
Yen stepped aside and motioned for Keryn to lead. Because they were in uniform and supposed to act like professionals, they didn’t hold hands while they walked. In truth, Keryn wasn’t sure if she would have, even if given the opportunity. Right now she felt strangely alone, even when next to someone with whom she felt so comfortable. That loneliness extended outward like an aura, pushing away anyone trying to get close. There was a tension throughout her body that she yearned to release, and as they entered Yen’s quarters, she was pretty sure she knew what she needed to from her whirling thoughts. As the door closed softly behind them, she turned and grabbed the front of his uniform, pulling his face down to hers. She lost herself in his passionate kisses. Her eyes closed, she didn’t notice the small blue tendril extend from Yen’s groping hands. As it brushed against her arm, chills of pleasure ran up and down her spine. She pulled away suddenly and placed a hand on his chest.
Keryn shook her head as she spoke. “Not tonight,” she begged. “No powers, no enhanced emotions or sensations. Tonight I just want it to be you and me.”
Nodding wordlessly, Yen led Keryn past the dinner table and into his bedroom.
Keryn buried her face in Yen’s arm as they lay in bed together. He looked over, an obviously concerned look on his face, and caught her distant stare.
“Would you like to talk about it now?” he asked.
Keryn rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “I’m going to be leaving soon,” she muttered.
He rolled toward her, propping his head up on his elbow. Smiling, he ran his finger gently along her arm. “I know. We’re all going to be leaving, just as soon as the Fleet is ready.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then explain it to me.”
Keryn rolled away so that only her back faced Yen. “The High Council tagged me for a special mission. I’m not going to Earth with you. In fact, I’ll be gone in the next few weeks, once my team and I have completed our training.”
Keryn could feel the bed move as Yen first sat up, then climbed completely out of bed. She could hear him pace as he ran through a myriad of questions. “Where are you going? Who is on this team of yours?”
She could hear a slight hint of jealousy in his voice; a hint of anger coating the corners of his words as though frustrated at not being included in her mission. “I’m supposed to capture a smuggler. Top secret mission and all that. I don’t even know who’s on my team yet, only that the High Council sent out reassignment orders to the people already.”
“Then I’m coming with you,” he said matter-of-factly.
Keryn sighed and sat upright in bed, catching Yen’s irritated gaze. “You can’t Yen. I know you want to protect me. It’s a sweet gesture, but you have more important things to worry about than babysitting me.”
“Keryn, there is nothing more important than you.”
“Quit saying things like that!” she said angrily. “This isn’t the time for mushy romance. We are at war and this war is about to get a lot more violent. You and I are really not that important in the grand scheme of things.” She climbed out of bed and walked over to him. Sighing, feeling guilty for the surprise and hurt in his eyes, she reached out and took his hands. “And yes, there is something more important than taking care of me.”
Leaning down, Keryn picked up her discarded uniform jacket. She pulled the shiny metal rank from the collar of her shirt and placed it in Yen’s outstretched hands. “You’re the Squadron Commander now. You have a lot more people to take care of than just me.”
“Just like that?” he asked, dumbfounded.
“Just like that,” Keryn reaffirmed. “The High Council granted me the responsibility of identifying my own replacement. I can’t think of anyone better qualified or more capable of taking care of the Squadron than you.”
“But I gave up flying to be in the Infantry,” he muttered.
“Maybe, but I saw how well you flew during the last battle. You’re still a pilot at heart. And, luckily for you, you’ll have plenty of time to realize your abilities before you reach Earth.”
Reaching out, Yen pulled Keryn into a hug. She disappeared against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. Her tears disappeared against his sweaty skin. As she pulled away from him, she noticed even his dark eyes were rimmed with red. Wordlessly, she began dressing as Yen absently tidied the bedroom. When she was done, he walked her to the door.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “We’ll have plenty of time together before I leave.”
“I know,” Yen replied. “I love you, Keryn. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I know you do.” Keryn leaned forward and kissed Yen before slipping through the door.
As the doors shut behind her, Yen walked immediately over to his console and initiated a room to room call. The screen flashed as the corresponding console chimed in another room. Slowly, the black screen faded to a pale face silhouetted against an inky black room. The Pilgrim ran his hand through his shaggy blonde hair, trying to groom it as he stared into the console’s screen.
“What’s up?” Adam asked groggily.
“I’ve got a huge favor to ask,” Yen replied with a knowing smile.