Carl
I bent down to try and rouse the young Latina girl, "Lyla! Lyla! Wake up…"
"We will have to keep carrying them," Jack said out of breath. Warden and James picked up Jacklin's unconscious body. One was at her ankles, the other clutched her armpits. Not that I could see anything. A faint rustling of clothes and scuffing of shoes were our only indications we were moving.
"We don't have time. I can hear someone coming." Warden said as I clutched his shoulder. Lyla was draped over Jack's back. He held onto my shirt, and like that, we had to navigate the tunnels. I was facing the darkness with an outstretched arm to the walls to guide our procession. We hustled down the tunnels for what seemed like hours and stopped to take a break. I was glad Jack had pushed us to train. Even being stuck in those cages, he forced us to move. Six hours a day, he took us through drilled exercises and kept us sane. Jack was a pillar of our group and a true leader, but being locked up was tough for all of us. There was a tension in his usual calm manner, as if he was at the end of his tether. "Double pace, boys," Jack ordered.
The two very pathetic women had not made a sound. "Where to?" James asked.
"Straight… Anywhere. How could we get lost in this maze?" Warden complained.
I don't know how we took a wrong turn somewhere, but the fork in the three tunnels didn't want to appear. "We have checked every tunnel. It has to be this one. Once we're out of this hole, it will be better." I said.
"Out there. I don't know. After what we saw last night." James said skeptically. Michael had suddenly appeared in the middle of that cellar. As soon as he did, two unknown Ittoqure had also made their presence known. It was an instant blood bath. The infected vamps had jumped in there to help Michael, who was fighting for his life. I was screaming at Lyla to open our gates and throw me a gun. She and Jacklin had tried but got knocked out during the battle. The infected vamps had gotten the woman Ittoqure down to the ground. Once they put her on her feet, she teleported out of there. Michael had the male to contend with. The man had luckily faltered, and Michael had jumped on his back, digging his teeth and claws into his flesh. He bent his knees and was also gone. The infected vamps had opened our cages after the brawl and ran, leaving us there.
"It's not our problem. We don't even know what happened. It's time we swallow the pill. Whatever it may be." Although Jack's tone was stern, I bet if I could see his face, I would see self-deprecation. He led us into that mess and felt responsible for making us split up when we came.
"Do you think we were declared dead? The chances our chopper is still at the barracks are nil." Warden said at my side.
"It depends. It has been months. I think…" James answered.
"We waited too long to take to the tunnels," As I said it, my hand felt the rounding of a corner.
"I agree. It is all her fault. We should have left her," Jack complained.
"Wait. We're at another split." I tried to say above the chatter.
"For F- sake."
"No, wait. Look there." The first sliver of light in the distance made us all yelp out loud, hustling toward the gorge. I quickly took over from Jack. We had taken turns to carry the traitor. Lyla was hiding and keeping anything that happened above ground from us. Consequently, we didn't know why the watchers never came looking for us.
I'd been so happy to see Michael, but my hopes were destroyed a minute later. We were so close to going home. One thing after another prevented me from getting to Charlene. The tunnels weren't even our last hurdle to safety. Once we got out between those canyons, it would take us forever to make the journey with the two women there. And after that, we didn't have anywhere to go.
The gates into the sun stood open. The bright light blinded all of us. It had been months of darkness and lanterns, and it took all of us a moment to get accustomed. Heads moved about, and eyes abruptly scanned the environment. One after the other, we swore and cursed Lyla for the millionth time. The walls of the valley were blasted to the ground. "This is what we felt a few days ago," James said. "Explosions… Look at all the wreckages."
"S-. What the hell is going on?" Jack exclaimed.
"No wonder they found us."
***
Lyla
I regretted my decision as soon as I opened my eyes. The sun was so overwhelming I complained. My head was pounding, hanging down toward the ground. Someone was carrying me. The Ittoqure who landed had pushed his way through us to get to Michael. First, he tossed Jacklin against the wall. I thought she was dead and scrambled to get the keys to Carl's cage. I had taken a severe knock to the head during Michaels's battle. "Carl." My voice wasn't loud enough. "Carl, I'm awake." I pushed out the words.
Carl squatted on his haunches and laid me on the ground. He stayed next to me and stroked some hair out of my face. "Are you okay? Your skin is split open, but we will try and patch it up." My hands instinctively took stock of all my wounds.
"With what?" Warden scoffed. "She took all our gear, and our packs are still in there."
"We don't even have water. Do you know how long it took us to get out of there? In the pitch black darkness." James commented.
The other two men put Jacklin down next to me. I was relieved to see her. Carl held out his hand and helped me to sit up. "Slowly. You're feeling mighty stupid right now, don't you?" I glanced around. The gorge was blown to pieces. It had been so beautiful down there. "We think Earth is trying to fight those Ittoqure. Or they want to level the compound."
I shook my head. "Since you guys were down there, a lot has happened." Carl eyed me suspiciously. "Ian… He's attacking Earth, not En-gannim."
"Marcus?" Carl asked.
"He's not coming… Fahan and Ian's people can fly. If you can believe it. They squash us like bugs." The four men stood motionless, looking at each other in turn. "You told me not to make it personal."
"Tell me you didn't."
I nodded. "I released it all."
Jacklin was stirring. "Oh, my head." She sat up and glanced around. "Where are we?"
Warden bent down and stabbed her in the neck. She flinched, and her hand reached for her neck. After a moment, Jacklin fell down with a smile on her face. "Where have you been all my life." Warden laughed. "Where did you hide it?"
He smiled and looked at me. "Where to now, Lyla? How do we get out of here?"
"Ian made a base in the compound. The Colosseum. The barracks. All his. He's not taking prisoners. If you lift up your hands and don't fall on the ground in three seconds. You're dead. FYI."
"Why didn't you tell us. We could've escaped." Carl said softly.
"You know the vamps. Everything happens in one second. It was too late when we stuck our heads out of the ground… Literally."
"I don't know how they found us after Michael came by," James said.
"The other Ittoqure? Are there more?" Carl asked.
"I don't know? That's new."
Jack finally said something, turning to me. "How long?" His loud command was filled with irritation.
I felt even more guilty. "It's been four months. Ian had been coming and going for a few. Sabotaging and launching surprise attacks. But… a week ago, the masses arrived."
"What the hell happened on En-gannim?" Jack was thinking out loud, circling himself.
"I can tell you what happened," Carl said. "Someone from Earth blabbed. That it's open like En-gannim, and Ian decided it was a better fit. While they transition, they can eat… us, and then Fahan will send him supplies."
"Not good. Not good. We have to get out of here. But where do we go?" Jack was losing it. He turned to me. "You finally got your common goal." His hand lifted, and he struck me across the cheek." Carl jumped up to get him off me. Warden helping. "You stupid b-…"
I wasn't even offended. My hand clutched my face. "It's not completely over. Earth will fight back." My hand was shaking. It was the first time anyone had hit me.
"At what price!" Jack roared. "Do you think the watchers have been doing nothing for the last two hundred years!? Do you think we made the decisions and calculations for monetary advantage?"
"I did!"
"You know, we got a bullet to the head for leaking one word. You went and told everyone everything! Well, now I will tell you what your parents told Juliet that day in that room. I don't want to talk to a child anymore… Come, boys. Let's get moving. They either make it or they don't." Jack sneered.
I shared a glance with Carl. "Like I said. I'm following orders. There is a reason for everything."
Jacklin had jumped up, stumbling, but she could manifest and was swift to follow. I didn't have a choice. I staggered to my feet and ran, remembering it was a two-day hike out of there.
***
Juliet
"So, have you and Romero decided on names?" I asked Carlene.
"We have a few options… Aimee…" Charlene said.
"Ooh, I like that."
"I do, too." My mom interjected. Agatha was seated next to her, engrossed in our little bundle. The pride on Marcus's face was unmistakable every time he looked at the scene. His mother was free. He had the son he wanted. Although my mistake had made me a bit of an outsider at that moment.
"Another one is Fia…" Charlene went on.
"That's Pretty."
"Or Jara."
"Wow, you have a tough decision to make."
"You like all of them?" Charlene asked.
"I do… Louis?" I glanced over at the other man, who was not talking to me.
"Romero likes Dalal." Louis quipped.
I nudged Charlene in the ribs. "You didn't even mention his option."
Charlene stuck out her tongue, "Dalal."
"It's going to be Fia… Louis smiled. I tried to hold his gaze, but he went on eating whatever was in front of him. "Yazen and Imani likes it too much."
"That is if it's a girl," Charlene said.
"Our midwife is quite good. You can be sure you are having one of each."
Kubra wasn't there that night and couldn't tell us what his son would be named. With Marcus on maternity leave for a few days, he was helping on En-gannim. "I don't know what you were worried about," I told Charlene.
"No, me neither." I smiled and shook my head. Both of us got quiet and looked at each other. The joy of the moment forgotten. One of us wasn't there. Carl was the only thing missing in our family. "Have you asked?" I nodded. "And?"
"They are all worried. Especially Michael."
"When?"
"Tomorrow. He will go again tomorrow." I took her hand in mine.
"So tell us," Romero asked. "Is Roger really going to stick?"
Everyone laughed. Marcus smiled when he looked at me, shaking his head. "No! I have decided. His name is Naji."
I glanced over at Agatha. "You agree?" She was beaming and nodded.
***
Sirrah was slowly rising in the distance. One of their moons still shown brightly. It was the perfect start to the day. I didn't understand why Marcus had pushed and pushed me to keep exercising. All through the pregnancy. He never spoke to me, but he would make sure that Jessy relayed to me the importance of staying fit. After Naji's birth… I still had to get used to the name. I was opting for Zayn. I laughed. But Marcus's choice was unique. So anyway, after the birth, I was on such a strict routine to get my hours in. The sand made running challenging, forcing me to lift my feet. As soon as I got back to camp after my run, I would be paired up with some dude who put me through all my paces. They were on a rotation. That morning, it was Iku again.
Chris and I would not go to Mirach's dark city for our marriage journey. Not that year. My birthday was in two months, and I figured it would be one of those things we would do eventually. Like me and Michael actually getting married or his dance. Before I went to Soren, Michael and Marcus asked to spend some time alone together. Nothing so far had been planned. The war was still going on. If it was going to last for years. I would have to be patient.
For those last four months, not one of them had said a peep about anything. Chris was the only one that came to me. Who talked to me and ensured we were on the same page. I was dreading going back to En-gannim. I was waiting to see Marcus one day and tell me it was time I took over. We were at such a weird place I didn't know what I would be walking into. They tied me up to force me to go back, but after everything, how could I go back and… take over.
I was a long way from the camp, jogging in an easy rhythm. I ran for about two hours every morning. Marcus had slept with Naji and me the previous night. I had tried my best to wake him up but left him in bed. Since Naji's birth, one of them was always there with me during the day. I didn't think much of it. I was happy to see them make an effort to bond with the little guy. Michael had gone to look for Carl the previous night. Before I had left that morning, Jessy had not heard anything.
***
Louis
"Marcus." I touched his shoulder after he didn't respond to my voice.
"Huh? Shh, Juliet is still sleeping."
"Marcus. You have to wake up." I shook him roughly.
He sat up and glanced over his shoulder. "Where is she?"
"You were on Juliet duty. What happened?"
He let his legs fall off the bed, rubbing his eyes. "Romero."
"Not clever. Come, we got to go."
I was agitated and wanted to get out of there. Marcus picked up his pants from the floor, pulled a T-shirt over his head, and slipped into shoes. He was following me out into the living area. Agatha was seated on the floor with Naji in her arms. "Did you maybe see Juliet?"
Agatha [ She left for her jog. She should be back any minute. ] She looked up at Marcus coming out of the room. "She asks why you didn't go running with Juliet? You push her to the brink of exhaustion, but you take drugs to sleep."
"Morning, Mum." Marcus leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. He picked up Naji and cradled him, sitting down.
"Agatha, Marcus says there is trouble on En-gannim, and he won't be back for a few days. If you can tell Juliet."
She smiled and held out her hand. I took it and kissed her fingers. "Thank you for all your help." I glanced around. Cindy was coming through the door, taking off her shoes. I took a step back and regarded her for a moment. It was another sign that the infected monster inside was rearing its ugly head. She looked up at me. "What?"
"You're pregnant."
Cindy laughed, her fingers jumping to her lips. "Well, I never. It's all Romero's fault."
Marcus giggled behind me. "We have to get off this planet." He said softly.
Liam came in behind Cindy. We were all very quiet. "Where is my grandson." He held out his hands. Marcus kissed the boy and passed him to Liam. Marcus couldn't contain his laughter. Agatha slapped him, and he hurriedly left the room. "We are off to work. Good luck."
As I passed Cindy, I kissed her cheek. She held me back. "I don't want to interfere. But it's been too long."
"I know… You're not asking anything I can't answer… It's chaos over there. The war isn't nearly over, and… Ian attacked Earth last week." Cindy gripped my arm tightly. Liam stilled and looked up from talking to Naji. Agatha got up. "Our numbers are still so low. All the vamps are holding on so we don't lose anything else. And they keep coming. Ian has the manpower to split his resources. I don't know what Marcus plans to do."
"What about Ira?" Liam asked.
"They are focused on repopulation. The young men who went in can't leave again. They have to train to protect the city. The only ones they can offer us are those who left with Ira all those years ago. Sylvanus has come and gone so many times. So, Sung and he would lead the army, but they would have to fight next to our oceans. We lost so many men already. Ian has millions."
"Why have they not taken Nahrima?"
"Samuel's convinced they're playing for time. Maybe to figure out what their stone does or build their own teleporters. Who knows? They attack only the major islands… and when they did…"
"They retreated quickly." Liam finished my sentence.
"Liam, I know you want to be here. But we could use you."
"Say no more. I'll go with you today. I need to hear what my brother is up to. It's not like him to sit back."
I didn't want to tell Cindy about the Ittoqure that pitched up the previous night. Michael had teleported the guy out from Earth and into Juliet's office. He said he and his partner had considered doing it those last few months. It seems no one has gotten the recipe right or the timing. They had done their research and figured it out. Thanks to Lyla's release of all the brandings. Ian and his men first appeared months ago, but for a week, the army landed, and they felt they had no choice but to try. Both wanted to get out of there. Figured the worst that could happen is they break up. He didn't know why neither of them went out to all the planets like the TV said they would. But when Michael appeared on Earth, they had no control over it. It also didn't help that the couple were martial arts students. Why Michael was in the med bay. They had caught him so unawares, and it was two against one.
What we really needed Liam for was to find Carl. We knew where they were, and they were in trouble. Locked up in cages… We would need Caleb. "Liam. I didn't want to say anything. But we need Caleb." I whispered.
"He's already in the ring."
Marcus was waiting at the teleporter. The four of us traveled, and I had to tell them everything that had happened.
"Brother. What are you doing?" Liam scolded the second he saw him.
"I'm following orders. It's not my ship to take over. I had my chance. In regards to them building one of the big ones… I don't know. All our mineral Islands are closed off. Louis runs a tight ship on the Red Planet, and other than that, what did you want us to do?"
Liam turned to Marcus. "You still have no plans to go after Ian?"
Marcus dropped his head, "After this week. I think they'll just leave." He went to sit down behind his desk.
Liam spun from him to me, "You're going to let Earth become their playground. I don't think Juliet will like it. Didn't you guys tell her she would come back?"
"She told us not till the war is over. She asked for some time with Naji."
Liam strutted over to the table, "Still, Marcus. Earth is her home."
"Ian has already taken over the compound. If we leave now, take the few men we have. What will it help… Earth left us alone in our war." Marcus retorted.
"He is right, brother. Earth has more men at this point than we have." Samuel said to try to calm Liam down.
"Why don't you take Juliet and destroy their progress on Palmyra. You like blowing things up. Wasn't it you that said you don't win wars with numbers." Liam went on, but Marcus was quiet. "What happened on the red planet? No defectors yet. Anyone that will jump ship."
I shook my head. "Marcus, he is right. We have to do something. All of us have had enough fighting. I've been in more battles than I ever would have liked. Juliet is not pregnant anymore. Maybe it's time we changed strategies."
"Okay… Liam, you, Chris, and Caleb, go and see if you can rescue Carl. We have to get him off that planet. Let's do that first and hear what they say." Liam couldn't really argue with that, so the three of them left.
"Has Earth been in contact?" Marcus asked.
"Not since the last plea for help," Samuel answered.
"Marcus. I know you still want to run. But it's harder to colonize a planet than you think. The one we are getting our water from. It would be perfect. It's far enough from everything. But you want to take all the children there. Charlene will give birth in a few months. It should be our last resort… It's not a decision you can make by yourself. Juliet wants indoor plumbing, luxuries, and books. We need the minerals here to maintain all we have."
Samuel was waiting patiently for me to finish. "What is the real issue here, Marcus." He asked. "Why haven't you done anything?"
"Because I never wanted to fight." Marcus jumped to his feet to pace. "I was bred to lead an army and follow orders. Not save the whole f- galaxy." Marcus stopped walking about and perched on his desk. "What do you want to do, Samuel. If you know, please tell me."
"I would do what you wanted to do from the start. Take over their main Islands. If we put everything into it." Marcus stood up and huffed. "What is the worst-case scenario? We have to retreat to Mirach. Because I can tell you now. None of us will follow you into a wilderness. I am too old."
"And Cindy is pregnant," I commented.
Samuel clasped my upper arm. "She is?!" Marcus smiled for the first time. "Come on, Marcus. That alone should give you the motivation to take over En-gannim. And then you kill them all. We take over one planet at a time."
"In the meantime, Juliet and Michael can start sabotaging Palmyra, and we can force them off. With Fahan helping Ian. It's a perfect time." I tried to prod him into action.
"And after that. We still hold the power, and they are stuck on Earth." Samuel added. Marcus was still hesitant, and after a moment of consideration, Samuel asked. "What has you so bent out of shape? The truth."
"Caleb."
Samuel and I regarded him in mixed confusion. "It's Soren. He knows her too well... If I were him, I would use all her weaknesses to destroy her. He is going after Earth…" Marcus scoffed. "To get her out in the open. Because he knows what it means to her. If I tell her… What do you think is going to happen… That boy is the one using Ian." Samuel and I sat down on the couches. A long silence followed. "If I push them into a corner. They will do something stupid… And if I had to tap into my dark side. Caleb will be taken… If Soren told Ian everything. He knows how to kill her. Ahasuerus might as well have given Soren the key to all the worlds."
"Her one motivation."
Marcus sat down next to me, head in his hands. "I wasn't playing for time or to conserve resources. He as much gave her his gameplay… And… And I can't do both. I don't know how to keep the family safe and fight a war…" Marcus sat back and closed his eyes.
"He will destroy everything in her world," I said softly.
"Have you not been reading me?" Marcus asked.
"I… It's too much. I blacked out a long time ago. I keep seeing her tied up and naked… in trouble and alone. My mind doesn't want to let go. Since that night, we tied her up. It did me more harm than getting her to calm down. Reading everyone for so long. I had to stop or, rather, had no choice in the matter. I was relieved when we had to leave Earth."
"Why didn't you say anything."
"I was playing for time. Hoped you would pick up the slack. It didn't work out. We've both been trying to get a grip on what happened. Dodging her. And she walks on eggshells around us… Even Michael doesn't want to lie to her again. I haven't seen him on Mirach once."
"It's why I've been pushing her so hard. I knew it was just a matter of time before some couple appeared before her. If it was her and not Michael…" Marcus shook his head.
Samuel was listening to everything with interest. "You guys make a terrible team."
We both laughed. It was good to lighten the mood.
"So new gameplay. We kill Soren. You should have gone hunting, Marcus. A long time ago."
"I've tried. Caleb has never been so busy. And I'm terrified every time he goes. Soren is never alone. His house is a fort. Ian is always by his side. One of those red swords hanging on their waists. It was the first thing they did. Caleb says Soren's been training nonstop. One cut, and Michael is another prisoner. Or worse… Caleb. Michael can't follow Soren twenty-four-seven. Or we need him somewhere else. We can't afford to lose one of the Islands we have."
"But we have weed," Samuel suggested.
Marcus's head came up. "A kidnapping. I'm good with those. Do you think we have enough?"
"I hope you've learned something. Communication is always the key." Samuel got up. "Come, boys. Let the professionals show you how it's done. We can always tweak our recipe… Chemical warfare will be our saving grace… And then we take men that we can afford to lose. Just a few."