“Yeah, why aren’t you with your family if they’re being attacked by the freaks from Earth II?” Kevin asks.
Avrell speaks before I can. “Do you have diseases on your planet?”
Kevin gives me a look like he’s asking if Avrell is for real. “Yeah,” he says.
“Well, we have a terrible disease on Mortuus called The Rades. It’s deadly. We must find the cure before we can return to our true home safely. It’s imperative we find this cure so our people can survive after the battle with the Kev—I mean with those from Earth II.”
“And you’re going to cure it yourself?” Kevin takes a step closer, the suspicion and wariness clearing from his expression. His arms are still crossed firmly over his chest, but his face turns up to Avrell’s.
“Too rekking right we are. I’m close. As soon as we do, we’re going back to our people at the Facility.”
“What’s the Facility?”
“Our home. We’ve lived there since the humans left this planet a long time ago. It’s safe, secure. We’ve got plenty of supplies. We’re strong there.”
“How many of you are there?”
Avrell doesn’t seem annoyed by the questions. In fact, he seems as intrigued by the boy as Kevin is by him and patiently answers his questions. It makes me think of him talking about our future son AJ and what kind of father he’ll be to our children.
After a while, Avrell says, “Why don’t you help me?”
“Really?” Kevin asks. “What can I do?”
“I can use an assistant. Zoe talks back too much. She’s the distracting sort.”
Kevin grins fully for the first time since we brought him inside the prison. “You mean it?”
He says it with such hope, such innocence that it nearly brings a tear to my eye. Avrell probably didn’t consider how to respond to the boy to instantly make him comfortable. It came naturally. Maybe he’s only antagonistic to me. Of course he is.
Pride warms my stomach and I choke out, “Speaking of the Facility, I’m going to go help Julie on comms to see if we can get ahold of them.”
The boys have their heads bowed over the magnascope and are deep in conversation.
He’s going to make such an amazing father.
“Thank God you’re here. I’m exhausted. You mind taking over for a while?”
Julie pushes away from the control panel and digs her fingers into her eyes. “I haven’t been able to get anyone on the line. I’ve been trying for hours. Now that we have the ship, you guys can travel back to help them. But I didn’t want to suggest you leave until I was sure it’s safe back there for you.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, ignoring the fact that she’s still set on staying here.
“Never mind, it’s nothing, I’m sure.” Yawning, she gets to her feet. “I’m gonna hit the hay.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“I want to make sure there’s still a Facility left for you to go back to.” She gives me a sad smile, then leaves.
Instead of dwelling on her comment, I take her place at the control panel and put on a pair of headphones. I follow Sayer’s instructions to hail the Facility, but I don’t get a response for a long time. Longer than I’d like. It’s no wonder Julie was feeling hopeless.
It doesn’t matter. Once Avrell is ready with the cure, we’re going back to the Facility, answer or not. We’ve already been away from them long enough.
“Facility, this is Zoe hailing from Exilium. Is anyone there? Please respond.”
The radio crackles. “Zoe? This…Breccan…you hear…”
I sit up straight, nearly falling out of my chair in the process. “Breccan! Breccan, it’s Zoe. I’m here. Can you hear me?”
“I hear…Avrell okay?”
The line is broken and I’m not getting every word, but it’s enough.
It’s enough.
“He’s fine. Close to the cure. We were attacked, but we fought them off. I’m contacting you because we were able to steal one of their ships. Once Avrell is ready, we’re going to head to the Facility. What about you? Are you guys okay?”
“…good news. Waves of…came from the sky. So many…Oz’s weapon…many, but there are more…many more. We’re still fighting.”
The line cuts out and I yell, “Breccan!”
“…bad connection,” he’s saying. “Stay at the prison. It isn’t safe…tell Avrell not…come.”
It’s not safe? I scoot forward in my seat. “What do you mean don’t come? We’re not leaving you there alone! We’re coming to help.”
This time Breccan’s voice comes through strong and clear. “You listen to my orders, Zoe. There are too many. It’s not safe for you here. Stay at the prison and save yourself.”
“I don’t think so. You know Avrell won’t do that. I won’t do that. We’re coming.”
“Listen to me,” Breccan orders. “I don’t know if we’re going to make it. It’s bad, Zoe. I’m telling you this to save your life. Please listen.”
I press my hand to my forehead and am surprised to find it shaking. Too many Kevins—men from Earth II? We’ve been so certain the weapon would work. It has to work.