Explorer X Alpha (30 page)

“Well, it's over now, and the only shining light in all of this is that I get to kill more Femoh,” she said, then grudgingly encircled his waist in her arms as the catik jerked her forward. He held in a smile at the small victory.

“Remember, we only kill to defend ourselves, or we will become like them. We need to remember that we are human, Eirena, not animals or a sadistic species that hurt beings for fun. Please, promise me you will only kill to survive. I don't think I could stand it if I lost you to them and you became evil like they are,” Aadi said softly.

“Aadi, I am not evil - just angry. After I destroy the one that did this to me, I will feel better,” she replied lightly.

“Eirena, they are all that evil. It's their nature. Killing one will never be enough, as we will be forever hunted by them and the Katek until we leave this place,” Aadi said and closed his eyes for a brief moment as he felt a slight shiver in her arms. He knew deep inside that she was scared, but unfortunately right now, she didn't trust him to save her. He didn't even know if he could save himself, as the power within him was getting harder to control when his anger was exposed.

“We are here at the entryway. The last shilmena is directly under this sinkhole. You will go with us to retrieve the shilmena, and you will use your power source to start it. We will all hop in and take it to the Katek lands. One false move, and Jantik dies, and I'll pump all of the power of this stun ray into you and rip you apart before its effects fade. Understand?” Petin instructed, his red eyes bore down into Aadi's.

“We understand. No further explanation needed,” Aadi, replied as he slid off the catik and pulled Eirena down with him. They proceeded to follow one of the Katek warriors down the sinkhole. They hit the floor and were flooded with complete darkness. The Katek warriors took a moment to adjust to the darkness, but Eirena could see instantly as her silver eyes saw Femoh coming their way. She walked angrily ahead of the group of warriors and held up her hands, simultaneously blasting the charging Femoh. They fell in writhing heaps on the floor as she walked casually over them in the direction of the ship.

Aadi followed her and placed darkness, pain, and a command to not move in the minds of the fallen Femoh. He was happy that she didn't kill them, as he knew she so desired. Yet, she brought them close, leaving them painfully within a breath of death. She didn't look back, as he felt her power unfold like a raging river of fire. Her anger was simmered deep under the surface. He called to her mind and asked her if she knew where the shilmena was. Did it call to her, as it seemed to be calling to him?

She didn't respond, as she seemed entranced by the slight humming sound coming from deep within the dark hallway ahead of them. As they approached the shilmena, they could feel its presence. It was guarded by a large number of Femoh. They stood ready to attack as they watched Eirena methodically and calmly cripple their fallen comrades. She smiled at them and sent a white blinding light from within her, which caused them to shy back. Eirena pushed her outstretched arms forward in a punching movement. The powerful blast of energy pushed against them, and they fell, writhing in pain on the floor around them. Aadi followed with the Katek warriors closely behind, quietly watchful of Eirena, in awe of her power.

Eirena was entranced, as she walked toward the huge ship. The ship had a pointed front with triangular lit side-by-side panels coming to a point in the middle of the hood. The panels dimly lit up as Eirena and Aadi approached, slowly brightening and dimming as if it were breathing. Eirena walked up to the hood of the ship and reached out to touch it, and it warmed to her touch as though it knew her.

The Katek warriors followed Eirena and Aadi, killing the Femoh as they passed so as not to risk any counter-attacks the Femoh may try to wage before they were able to get in the ship. Petin closely followed and watched as Eirena emanated a glowing stream of power she fed into the ship. The ship slowly came to life, and the side door slid open to release a narrow stairway that led inside.

The inside of the ship was huge and had two levels to accommodate passengers, as well as the Captain's cockpit area. Eirena, Aadi, and Petin went into the navigation area and sat in the seats that controlled the ship. As Eirena placed her hands on the controls, she absorbed full understanding of how it operated. She glanced at Aadi to see if he felt it, too, and he looked at her with shocked recognition.

Aadi spoke to her mentally and said, “Eirena, I know how to fly this ship. I feel like it's alive, and I've waited my whole life to fly it.”

Eirena replied back thinking, “Me, too, Aadi, me too.”

Eirena started the ship, and Petin spoke up and said, “Do not forget why we are here. Your friend is waiting for us in Katek lands, as well as his people are being contained until we have this shilmena in our possession.”

“We have not forgotten. We keep our promises. Just see that you keep yours,” Aadi replied, gritting his teeth, as he had had enough of Petin and the Katek manipulation.

Eirena didn't wait for Aadi to start the ship but placed her hands on the controls, and the ceiling of the tunnel opened up as they flew out of Femoh territory and up into the skies. Eirena looked at Aadi, and they smiled, forgetting for a moment about all that had gone wrong since camp and taking pleasure in this one moment of happiness. Flying this magnificent ship up into the skies was something they both loved to do.

Eirena and Aadi navigated the ship to land smoothly in front of the Katek lands. Petin didn't waste any time pulling them out of their seats and opening the ship doors. They went out of the ship and allowed the Katek warriors a false sense of control. Petin pulled Eirena forward by her arm and led them into the meeting hut.

“Remember your promise, and the trade will be made,” Petin stated harshly as he pushed Eirena and Aadi in front of him into the meeting chambers. The Katek were out of their homes and waited in front of the meeting chambers. They quickly followed Petin and his captives inside.

“Olinu, Olinu, we have retrieved the shilmena and the captives,” Petin exclaimed, as he had Eirena by the arm. She poured a power surge up her arm, and it reached out and burned Petin's hand. He jerked his hand off her arm as she gave him an angry look and stuck out her tongue. He forced his gaze to Olinu as he placed his hand cautiously at his side.

“Well, I see that you have. In that case, it is done. You may release the boy, Jantik, and return him and these beings back to Nutah lands. However, I must warn you that the Femoh are in the millions. Now that they know how to break through the Nutah's defenses, they will become easy victims to the whims of the Femoh. I am sorry it had to come to this, as we Katek only desire to return to our homeland. It is a hunger within us that can't seem to be appeased, no matter how much we try to make this place comfortable. Maybe you can help your Nutah friends survive the future attacks by the Femoh, as many of us Katek will be leaving in the shilmena for home,” Olinu said, as he looked upon Eirena and Aadi with much respect.

“Thank you. We will take Jantik now and some of the catik. May I request one more thing?” asked Aadi, looking directly into the eyes of Olinu, now understanding their true purpose in waging this world war.

“Yes, do ask,” Olinu responded.

“Could the remaining Katek ally with the Nutah, who do wish to stay on this planet? They are small in numbers to the Femoh, and the Femoh will eventually overpower them without your assistance,” Aadi requested, bowing his head to Olinu for the first time in respect to his position.

“That is a request that I can agree to. We will meet with the Nutah leaders to come to an agreement. In two days' time, we will have placed the young Katek on the ship to return home,” Olinu replied. Aadi bowed to him and placed his hand on Eirena's shoulder to get her to follow. She fought his slight push, then angrily cut her gaze at him as she bowed.

 

 

Aadi, Eirena, and Jantik returned the Nutah lands as fast as the catik would take them. Jantik was worried that his father had not survived the attack. As they approached the lands, they saw Katek warriors standing guard to the surrounding Nutah lands. Jantik rode up quickly and dismounted from his catik with Aadi and Eirena on his heels.

They came upon one warrior at the entrance to Jantik's home, “We have returned from honoring our part of the bargain with the Katek. May we pass?” Aadi asked the Katek warrior who stood between them and Jantik's home.

“I am Senuli, and you may enter. We were told by our leader to stand watch and keep the Femoh out of these lands,” he said as he moved to the side for them to enter. Jantik ran quickly to the front door of his home that slid open as he stood in front of it.

His father stood in the middle of the room, pacing. He looked up and saw his son, and then what appeared like a tear fell from his eyes. He quickly recovered with a stern look on his face. “Son, I knew these beings would bring nothing but trouble to our lands. What do you have to say for yourself?” Batil said and crossed his arms to look sternly at Jantik.

“Father, you are wrong. They saved me. They may save us all. They have made an agreement with the Katek to help protect Nutah lands from the possibility of continued attacks from the Femoh. They did this in exchange for the ancient ship, the shilmena, which the Katek will use to go home. They forfeited their ownership of the ship in exchange for a truce between the Katek and us, as well as for my life. The remaining Katek made an alliance to stay and fight with us against the Femoh. The Femoh will not be able to replicate the shilmena very easily and will not power them without Aadi's and Eirena's power,” Jantik pleaded with his father.

“I am not sure I trust the Katek - the same tribe that wanted to murder us throughout history and who considered us an abomination to their race. They have looked at us with the Femoh blood of their persecutors and wanted to kill us,” his father replied and got angrier as he spoke.

“Sir, they need you now as much as you need them. Their numbers will be lower when their young leave for their home planet. They will need the added number of warriors to sustain their numbers and to remain alive until their kind returns to retrieve the masses,” Aadi stated and looked directly at Batil.

“Well, in that you may be truthful. We will meet to decide if we want their so-called assistance,” Batil replied.

“Also, I may add, until we get our ship up and running, we will continue to fight by the side of our very brave friend and his people, if you so desire it,” Aadi stated, and Eirena stepped up beside him in agreement.

“That would be most appreciated. Your offer is accepted,” Batil replied as he looked at Jantik and then left through the door.

 

 

Aadi and Eirena sat on the mountainside looking out at the two suns rising. They picked up rocks and threw them out onto the ground below, watching the baby druguna fight through the dirt to rise with the morning.

“Eirena, our time here will be over soon. The Katek children have left to go back to their home planet, and the remaining Katek and Nutah have contained the Femoh… for now, at least,” Aadi said as he threw another rock over the side of the mountain.

“Have you called to the others? Your mom?” Eirena asked and pulled up her knees then tucked them under her.

“Unfortunately, yes, and things are not well. Dakota and Carter are being held in hostile lands on the planet they crashed on. Their cruiser is completely destroyed, and Carter is gravely ill. I cannot reach Damien and Tacitus, and Scott and Raiko are also on the run. We have to save them. We have to collect everyone. I am the only one that can find them. I will not return without every one of us returning together,” Aadi said. His anger and frustration built as he thought of the time passing before he could get them all and the time before he could confront TEGRC for its treachery.

“I agree. We will do this together,” she replied and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“My mom tells me that the parents have united and are confronting the company heads about our disappearance. She said they are sending help. I don't know, though, because I told her that things were more dangerous than she thought. I pushed images of the infirmary into her mind. She just sat there and cried. I have hope that this is all going to work out fine. If they reach us soon, I have the ability to find the others. I've been working on how to extract memories,” Aadi said and looked out as the first sun reached its high point in the sky.

“Really? I hope you haven't been practicing on me,” Eirena said with a nervous laugh.

“Perhaps I have, but I don't want to misuse you. Next time, I will ask permission,” he said and looked at her as if he knew a secret that he wanted her to tease out of him.

“Did you, um… ask her? Did they know?” she asked and turned away. Aadi felt her pain and reached out to touch her shoulder as he answered the most difficult question he had pondered since the discovery in the labs.

“Yes, yes I did. She admitted knowledge of the DNA donation and manipulation. She said she volunteered because she and my father couldn't have children and desperately wanted one. She said she would have done anything to have me. Although, she knew that one-day she would have to give me back to them for testing. She had hoped that I would live the rest of my life out after camp as her son. She didn't expect them to manipulate us, train us to be killers, and drop us into another galaxy to carry out their evil plans. She told me she loved me and that's why she made a device that would always allow me to initiate communication with her and come home,” he said, his eyes tearing up slightly as he prayed that she told the truth. He felt it when he confronted his mother with the question - her hesitation, her shame, and her love. He was just too tired to trust it totally, had been through too much, and faced evil of which he had never thought possible. He wanted to believe her, to hold on to it to give him a reason to want to come home, to stay human and compassionate.