“Of course, Your Majesty. Fall in!”
The soldiers scattered around her, covering her from all angles. She took off towards the communication center. As she led them through dark, dusty hallways, distant explosions thundered, shaking the walls. A portrait crashed to the floor. The frame shattered into a rainstorm of glittering pieces.
“Call Julian. Order a medevac. For Zane.” Each order was punctuated by a gasping breath. Her lungs burned as she sprinted around a corner. “Tell him Mylis is in the dungeons. We need to figure out where Ariah is. And tell him Iliana is dead.”
As the Dalians exchanged looks of shock, they reached a pair of colossal oak doors. A soldier stepped aside, speaking into his comm; the others barged into the room, scattering frightened Dalian techs. Kalie winced as they bolted past her, shrieking and yelping, apparently unaware of her presence.
An Aquisian motioned for her to come in.
Kalie strode towards the massive holoprojector in the center of the room, punching in the code to broadcast a transmission to all the major galactic news networks. A camera drone buzzed to life and launched into the air. Two metal wings unfolded from its flat, circular form, and its dull lens glowed with brilliant white light. Above the projector, a holo of her mirror image appeared.
“My people are under attack.” Kalie clasped her hands behind her back. “So are the people of Aquis, Britiria, Vataskor IX, Dynar, and all of Sector Eight. Your fellow citizens. Your loved ones, your friends, your allies—persecuted by a tyrant for believing in a better future. Persecuted for trying to save us all. And now, we need your help.”
The camera drone whirred. Vents buzzed as they pushed gusts of heat into the shining white room. Sweat beaded on Kalie’s palms, and she wiped them on the back of her mud-stained jacket.
“Carik sees this rebellion as a spark of something greater. He fears us, and he’ll do everything in his power to squelch this flame before itcan spread into an inferno. If he extinguishes this fire today, there won’t be another. So I ask you, from one citizen of the Federation to another—rise up today, and let this be the first spark.”
Kalie’s comm chimed. She cast her eyes towards the window, towards the distant shadows warring beyond the atmosphere. Towards hope.
Breathing in deeply, she faced the camera drone’s glowing light. “Let the fires of Dali and her allies ignite the flames of rebellion, and let the revolt of our worlds spread in a blaze that cannot be stopped. Fight for a future without fear. Fight for a future of peace and safety.” Kalie’s comm stopped beeping, then started again, vibrating in her pocket. “Fight for a future where your children are free. Together, we can burn down the corruption of the Federation and build a better world for all.”
She stared into the camera drone’s blinding light for the span of three heartbeats—a sign of confidence, Aunt Calida had claimed—then pressed a button on the projector’s circular rim. The camera drone’s light blinked out, and she sagged against the projector’s cool metal base.
Her comm’s urgent buzzing sliced through the room’s tranquil silence. As Kalie snatched the device, a holographic contact card floated above it:Mira.
Her stomach dropped through the floor.
She accepted the transmission, but Mira’s holo didn’t appear. Her camera was off.
Heavy, labored breathing crackled through the speaker, raising the hair on the back of Kalie’s neck. The comm slid from her hands, and she fumbled to catch it.
“Mira?”
“Hannover.” Mira’s voice was utterly toneless, devoid of her usual snark or passion.
Kalie’s knees gave out, and she crumpled to the floor. The comm clattered to the tile beside her. Heaving shudders racked her frame, and a choked sob broke from her lips as her throat swelled shut. She pressed a trembling hand over the comm’s speakers, as if she couldshut out Mira’s report. As if, by refusing to hear Mira’s defeated voice, she could deny Zane was dead. But the truth was like a thorn in her heart, a poison in her mind?—
“Zane’s alive.”
The emotionless words stole her breath.
Kalie snatched her hand away. Her pulse thumped in her ears. Her lips parted, and she tried to ask for confirmation, but she couldn’t speak.
“Ryker’s medics secured him. He’s lost a lot of blood, but he has a pulse. They medevacked him. I’m leaving now.”
Kalie’s breath rushed out of her as she sagged against the base of the holoprojector. Zane was alive. She pressed her hand to her heart. He was alive, and they were safe, Dali was safe…
“Wait, you’re leaving Dali? Now? It’s a warzone up there!”
“Goodbye, Hannover.”
“I—I still owe you the fee,” Kalie stammered. “For your services. How much is it, altogether? Five million? Six?”
“Just wire me the money. I have to go.”
“Mira…” Kalie drew her lip between her teeth. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Shallow breaths crackled through the comm. She read body language better than voices or sounds, but that rattle… fear. The sound of cornered prey.
