As we prepared to launch our plan, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was bound to go wrong. However, Aquaria seemed optimistic and almost cheerful about the whole situation.
"Come on, Halberd," she said with a grin. "Let's piss in Drexel's cereal."
I chuckled, despite my nerves, and nodded. "Alright, let's do it. But remember, we need to be careful. There are way too many ways this could backfire."
Our first step was to approach Tala and Jace, Drexel's closest siblings. Rhea had given us some valuable intel on their whereabouts, and we knew they were currently working on the ship they crashed here on.
We approached the ship cautiously, taking care to avoid any security systems or patrols they might have in place. As we neared the entrance, I heard the sound of laughter and cursing.
Peeking around a corner, I spotted Tala and Jace working together on something that looked like a massive weapon for their ship. They seemed to be having a good time, joking with each other despite the obvious frustration on their faces.
"Alright," I whispered to Aquaria as we hid behind some crates. "I'll go talk to them first, try to gauge their reactions. You stay here and watch my back."
Aquaria nodded, her expression serious but with an undertone of amusement. It was clear she enjoyed watching me squirm in these situations. With a deep breath, I stepped out from behind the crates and walked toward Tala and Jace.
"Hey there!" I called out, doing my best to seem friendly and non-threatening. "Mind if I join you guys?"
Tala and Jace both turned towards me, surprise and suspicion written all over their faces. They exchanged a glance before Tala spoke up.
"Who are you?" she asked, eyeing me warily. "And what do you want?"
"My name's Halberd," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "And I wanted to talk to you about your brother, Drexel."
At the mention of Drexel's name, Tala's eyes narrowed, and Jace tensed visibly. Clearly, this wasn't going to be an easy conversation.
"Why should we listen to anything you have to say?" Jace demanded, his tone hostile.
"Because," I said carefully, "I think there's something you need to see." I pulled out the video footage Rhea, and I had recorded earlier, holding it up for them to see.
Their expressions changed from suspicion to shock and disbelief as they watched the video. When it ended, Tala and Jace looked at each other, then back to me.
"Why are you showing us this?" Tala asked her voice barely a whisper, anger bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Because I believe Drexel's actions are putting your family in danger," I replied. "And I think that deep down, you both know it. Do you both want to die? What about your other siblings? I am here just for Drexel. I will kill you both if I have to, but I would prefer that you both work together with me like your mother."
Jace backed up with a worried look in his eyes. "Like my mother?! What are you trying to say?! You want me to let you-"
"Do not finish that sentence," I growled. "I mean for you to help me get the others to help betray your brother. If you want the others to live, I need you to help me crack the others."
Tala came over, ran a finger down the front of my armor, and then looked up into my helmet. I was reminded of how her mother had looked at me.
"If this is about getting my bro to crack to make him easier to kill, then you should let all us girls betray him like ma did. She has always had good taste in men, so I think I can get the girls in. A nice little foursome for you, and then boys can work with the space pirates to cut out Drex," Tala said in a low, seductive voice. I had to admit, the idea was appealing on multiple levels, and that would make for... I mean, it was what it was. To deny this would be just silly, and this would be a slam with the men abandoning him.
I took a deep breath, reminding myself that this was all part of the plan to break Drexel. "Alright," I agreed reluctantly. "If that's what it takes to make your siblings see the truth about Drexel and ensure their safety, then we'll do it."
Tala grinned wickedly, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "We have a deal, then."
As twisted as it felt, I couldn't help but think that Rhea was right – sometimes, in order to save the ones we love, we had to be willing to take drastic measures.
Over the next few days, Tala and Jace helped us devise an intricate plan to get each member of their family on board with our mission.
"You really think that will work?!" Rhea demanded, looking like she was ready to slap Tala. I took her to keep with her mother to have more intel to plan with, even faking some pictures of her death to keep Drexel from getting suspicious.
Tala, unfazed by her mother's outburst, replied confidently. "Trust me, ma. Each one of us has our own breaking point, and I know just how to push their buttons."
Despite the setbacks we encountered and the close calls that left my heart racing – such as nearly being caught by Elara while trying to hack into her computer – our plan gradually began to take shape.
Rhea's role in all of this was crucial, as she worked to convince each of her children that they were doing what was best for the family. One by one, they came around – some more easily than others – until only Brax remained steadfast in his loyalty to Drexel.
"Brax," I said, cornering him in a quiet part of their ship. "I know you love your brother and want to protect him, but can't you see he's tearing your family apart?"
Brax glared at me, fists clenched. "Drexel might be a cold-blooded killer, but he's still my brother. What gives you the right to come in here and decide who lives and dies?"