Phoenix City, Saraya, Standard Year 404

  “Can’t you just go in and rescue Will yourself?” Sophia asked.

  “I talked to the ship and we don’t think we can do it. The prison is inside a giant dead tree. Our sensors aren’t as effective through thick wood and even if they were, using lasers will set the entire prison on fire. We risk killing him before we can rescue him. The rescue will require more finesse. But the distraction – that will not require any finesse at all.”

  “Do you intend to blow something up?” Sophia asked with some trepidation.

  “The presidential palace is the obvious target. The only problem is that we want Lorelai alive. There are some questions I would very much like to ask Lorelai.”

  Sophia suppressed a slight shudder as the tone of Daren’s voice shifted downwards. “I understand.” She said, trying to keep her voice neutral.

  “Do you have any suggestions?” Daren asked.

  Sophia hesitated for a long, drawn out moment. Rather than responding, she reached out to touch the perfectly transparent glass of the window in front of her. “Is this place truly secure?” She asked.

  “This shuttle can survive a nuclear blast and remain untouched.” Daren replied without hesitation.

  “This window?” Sophia asked uncertainly. “This window can survive a nuclear blast?”

  “No, Sophia. The plasma shields outside this window can survive a nuclear blast.”

  Sophia nodded. Once again, she had no reason to doubt Daren’s word. Strangely, she did feel completely safe. “You are a dangerous enemy to have.” She said thoughtfully.

  “I would never be your enemy, Sophia.”

  “But you might destroy my home.”

  “I sincerely hope to avoid that.”

  Just who was enemy number one? Sopia wondered. Was it Daren, who wasn’t human and had threatened to destroy everything? Was it President Hawk, who was in the process of attacking her home… or was it President Lorelai Achly, who had sent thugs to kill Sophia personally, earlier that very day. Sophia’s eyes strayed once again towards the oversized window beyond the comfortably appointed room, out towards the jungle and the small glimpse of sky beyond. Or was it perhaps whoever had attacked Daren and his people? Because after working for decades in the Presidential Palace, there was one thing of which Sophia was quite certain: Lorelai did not orchestrate the attack on her own. In the midst of a losing battle with Tundra, Lorelai would not have chosen to attack the aliens who had remained fairly neutral throughout this conflict. Someone had orchestrated the attack. And curiosity, was Sophia’s greatest weakness. As it happened, Sophia wanted to ask Lorelai some questions, as well. “I’ve seen Lorelai’s schedule.” She said slowly, looking up at Daren. “She will be attending an outdoor speaking event in approximately three hours. I know the location.”

  “Ah.” Daren leaned forward, placing his hand on Sophia’s arm. “Brilliant as always, Sophia.”

  ---

  Megalodon City, Tundra, Standard Year 404

  “I brought you coffee.” Samantha Hawk announced the moment Robert opened the door to his apartment. Robert blinked somewhat sleepily, giving her his typically dour look. “You look like you need it.” Samantha added sharply. She paused just long enough to ensure that Robert noticed, giving emphasis to her next words as her eyes met his. “Where do you typically take your coffee?” Samantha asked carefully. “Show me your favorite spot, I’m afraid we need to talk.”

  “Of course.” Robert nodded, his eyes meeting hers in a way that let Samantha know he had understood her query perfectly. After all, they had worked together a long time. Robert realized Samantha was there to plant false information, by providing in the same spot where previous leaks had taken place before. And she brought coffee. The Hawks really were fantastic allies to have, he thought with some satisfaction as he accepted the coffee and led Samantha into the garden, where he so often spoke with his contacts on Saraya. It was the place where he informed Will of plans to attack his factory. “Should I bring out the quantum communicator to bring Daren in on the conversation?” Robert offered. Clearly, Daren’s identity was already known. There was no danger in mentioning his name again.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Samantha’s eyes widened. “Yes.” She nodded, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of faster than light speed communication. Her world was changing quite rapidly. But none of it mattered to her just then. Not really. Only getting her son home safe mattered. She watched Robert head inside and bring out the device. The first thing she noticed was that it was small. Far smaller than she expected. The dull black metal cube was about twelve inches across. At the top of the box was what was obviously a speaker, looking very much like the speakers she had at home. Beyond that, there was no hint of what might be on the inside. She watched Robert activate the device, and waited. Her eyes strayed towards the stream running through Robert’s garden, teeming with Tundran wildlife that swam in from the wild ocean of their planet. Just for a moment, she thought she saw something moving in an odd twisting pattern through the water, and then it was gone, blending with its surroundings until she could no longer see it at all. She blinked, shaking her head to dismiss the strange image.

  “What is it?” Daren’s less than friendly voice came over the speakers a moment later.

  Samantha nodded to Robert in acknowledgement. “I’m afraid I have some bad news. For both of you. As you know, James has escaped from his prison cell. Will… unfortunately… I’m sorry. Will did not make it.”

  There was a pause as Robert and Daren processed the obvious lie. They had both been in direct contact with Will, and quite recently.

  “Thank you for informing us.” Daren said into the silence.

  “Yes.” Robert agreed. “Thank you for informing us.”

  “Of course. I’m only sorry we could not do more.”

  “Yes.” Robert repeated.

  “Yes.” Daren agreed. It was what he would have said, if Samantha Hawk’s words were true. Right before he blew everything up. He wondered if she understood that.

  “Well.” Samantha got up, giving a brisk nod in Robert’s direction. “I did not want to leave you hoping once I knew. If there is anything more I can do, let me know.”

  “Yes.” Robert acknowledged. He watched her walk out. It was an admirable plan, and it had had Jim Hawk’s signature flair. If there was an unknown enemy intending to kill all carda’ans in this solar system, letting them believe that Will was already dead would take pressure off the search for the escaped prisoners. Will and James needed time. Rescue, was on the way. And once Daren was done with his distraction, he would be going into the prison with the rest of the rescue party. Robert shook his head, doing his best to dismiss the trepidation he felt about leaving this to Daren’s discretion. It was time for him to step away, and let his people do their job without his interference. After all, he was dead. And exhausted, as well. But there was work yet to be done. “Sam.” He called out suddenly, surprising himself. “Wait a moment. I’ll walk out with you. Good day, Daren.” He added as an afterthought.

  ---

  Phoenix City, Saraya, Standard Year 404

  The dim light of evening dawned as the slanting rays of the Sarayan sun provided full shade in the scenic courtyard of the presidential palace. Evenly spaced rows of giant lavender leafed trees rose high above the heavy cement walls that bordered the courtyard, further blocking the rays of the setting sun. Two rows of carefully selected and perfectly pruned white roses led to the fountain at the end of the white stone lined path. It was one of President Lorelai Achly’s favorite places to give a speech. Every detail of the scene drew the eye towards the arching silver fountain that stood at the end of the path. And in front of the fountain, cooled by the light mist of the water, stood Lorelai Achly herself. She wore a maroon dress, just a few shades darker than the color of her blood red hair, the main splash of color in the monochrome scene. The crowd who came to hear her speech was as carefully curated as the surroundings, their attire equally monochrome. No one would steal the spotlight from the most significant actor in this particular show.

  No flash photography was allowed, Lorelai found the flashes distracting. But the cameras were everywhere, carefully placed behind the crowd to ensure that their enthusiastic support remained visible at all times. People shuffled somewhat nervously in the heat, taking sips of carefully filtered water here and there. It was hot, and drinking water during the speech wasn’t permitted. Fortunately, these were professionals. They knew to drink ahead of time. No one wanted to have a dry throat when the time came to cheer during the speech. That would be exceptionally unfortunate.

  Lorelai shifted slightly, stepped just a bit closer to the microphone, and the voices of everyone in the courtyard died into silence. Only the rustle of lavender leaves in the light breeze could be heard overhead. Every eye turned to Lorelai. She smiled slightly, opening her mouth to begin the speech when an unexpected blast of the sun pierced the lavender canopy of the trees overhead. Distracted, Lorelai looked up. The canopy opened up, a gap appearing as the sky overhead became visible. And then, in less than the blink of an eye, everyone in the courtyard was gone, turned to ash by the lasers of an alien shuttle that razed down every human in the crowded courtyard at the speed of light. The ash floated in the breeze, covering the leaves and flowers of the manicured white roses that otherwise remained untouched. And then Lorelai fell to the ground, unconscious but otherwise unharmed. A moment later, for some inexplicable reason, her body began floating up towards the canopy of the trees above.

  As untouched as the roses, the cameras continued to film.