Chapter 19 [Fight Back]

Aquarius 9/2261 1:21

"The Master has arrived." One of the soldiers said. I stood from where I knelt over Jackson. They had been shot in the side, leaving a gaping burned hole. It was a miracle that they had survived this long. "They are landing now."

"Thank you. Please keep an eye on him." I nodded at Jackson. Jackson glanced at the woman before winking at me. I rolled my eyes at their antics. The woman knelt beside them and spoke in a low, comforting tone. I heard Jackson make a joke that the wound didn't even hurt. I grinned to myself. As long as they were joking, they were alright. I turned away and scanned the broken courtyard until I found Legend. I walked over, crossing my arms as I got close. "Master is here."

He nodded, his gaze locked on the trees in the distance. We had stared with twenty-six soldiers, twenty-eight including Legend and me. Now we had ten left in total. I felt like I was on Keria again. I wanted to lay down with the dead and never move again.

"Let's go meet her." I decided. I glanced over them. "Clare, start packing up the wounded. We will be back soon."

"Yes, madam." She nodded, standing from where I had placed her. I nodded back at her before heading into the trees. After a few minutes of walking and we found the gleaming grey ship. Standing by the ramp was a team of fifteen soldiers and my sister.

"Lily." I snapped. She turned her cold gaze to me. I saw a blush creeping up her neck, but she managed to keep her face composed.

"Nightstorm. I thought I had made it clear you were not to be on this mission." She said. I strode up to her. Without thinking of my actions, I swung my fist. It landed square on her cheek. She stumbled back, her hand flying up to her face.

"What the hell!" I yelled. The soldiers around us shifted uncomfortably. "What part of your stupid, law riddled brain thought it was a good idea to send a suicide mission? What would that have accomplished?"

"Nightstorm. I recommend you calm down." Lily warned. I shook my head. Anger burned through my body. She looked at the other soldiers. "Go to the base and help them pack up the dead and wounded."

"Yes, sir." They coursed. I knew she didn't want them seeing us fight. As always, she cared more about her reputation than anything else.

"Why?" I growled. "Answer me. Sister."

"I don't have to explain anything to you." Lily turned her gaze away. I wanted to hit her again. I clenched my fists but refrained from decking her.

"Well, next time you decide to do this dumbass plan, leave my Legend out of it." I snapped. She turned her eyes back to me. Shock then anger flashed through her cold brown eyes. We locked eyes, each of us sending our own warnings.

"Your Legend?" She scoffed. She stepped forward until I could feel her breath on my face. "You hate Legends. Don't pretend you care for this one."

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. How do I explain this? I hate the way they were made. I hate how they act, but I don't hate them. I gritted my teeth and jerked my gaze away.

"Selene." A warning voice called. I jerked my gaze to the owner and saw Jermia exit the ship. He looked exhausted, but when his eyes found mine, he relaxed. "Storm. Well done."

"You knew." I crossed my arms. Jermia looked at Legend and nodded.

"I knew if anyone would have pulled this off, it was you," Jermia added. He walked over to Legend and bowed his head. "Well done, Ethan."

"You two are a bad combination." Lily continued looking between my Legend and me. "I allowed this pairing because I thought he would keep you in check, not that you would corrupt him."

"Corrupt him?" I asked. "Wait, keep me in check? I'm not a bloody beast that needs to be reined in."

"Then stop acting like it." Lily crossed her arms. "You act like a child. You ignore orders. You went on a mission that I forbid you from going on."

"I saved ten people from being killed. I gave the rest a reason to fight." I answered. Jermia and my Legend stood off to the side, watching us argue. "Also, big news, I am a child. Or have you just roped me in with the rest of your mindless soldiers? I will fight back when you are wrong."

"You sound like your mother." Lily rolled her eyes.

"And you sound like the psychopath you call yours." I snapped back. For a minute, we went silent, staring at each other. "What was the goal of this mission, Selene."

She lowered her eyes. Dead silence filled the clearing. Either she didn't want to tell me, or she didn't know. Both possibilities send a new wave of anger through me. I swallowed and looked away.

"I can't believe that you're my sister." I hissed at her. I spun on my heel and started to leave. Because of the silence in the clearing, I heard the click. Everything seemed to slow down. I jerked my head up in time to see a Zerian on the ridge firing a rocket launcher at the ship. "Lil!"

I sprinted toward her, tackling her to the ground as the ship exploded. Pain raced through my back. Metal and fire burned and ripped through my skin. Another explosion followed, telling me the fuel tank was gone as well. More molten metal ripped through my back. Once most of the smoke had cleared, I raised my head and looked for Jermia and my Legend.

"Ethan!" I yelled. He raised his head from where he was crouched, protecting Jermia from flying metal. I jerked my eyes to the Zerian. The alien was currently trying to reload the enormous weapon. "Kill him!"

My Legend stood. Without another look at me, he sprinted after the Zerian. Lily raised her head, her eyes wide. Pain pulsed from my ruined back. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes.

"Jade!" Lily gasped. She rolled out from under me. Once she had moved, I collapsed onto my stomach. The pain from my back was too much. It made my vision flicker with white spots. "Jermia!"

Jermia knelt beside me. He bent over until I could see his face.

"Jade, can you hear me?" He asked. I jerked my head in a pained nod. "That was incredibly stupid."

"Legend," I whispered. I forced my arms under me and pushed myself up. I scanned the ridge where I had seen the Zerian. "Ethan? Where is he?"

"He's okay. He's going after the Zerian." Jermia answered. I gritted my teeth and turned my head until I could see my back. Twisted chunks of metal stuck out from my skin. The other soldiers returned after seeing the explosion.

"NightStorm!" Clare ran to me. "Hey kid, you're okay."

"Yeah, yeah," I whispered.

"The other ship is returning now. They have the medics on board." Lily promised. "Just hold on."

"Clare, send... send two soldiers... after Lege--" I looked at the ridge again and saw him. He almost ran down the small hill before dropping beside Jermia. "Is he dead?"

He gave a short nod. I stared at the ground and forced air into my lungs. One of them was punctured, at least. I could feel the blood bubbling on my skin.

"Help me up," I told him. Lily batted him away.

"No! You have metal sticking out of your back, two pieces extremely close to your spine. If you twist the wrong way, it could sever your spinal cord." She explained. I'd almost forgotten that Lily started out as a medic. She looked around. "Okay. Think Lil."

She muttered. Her eyes were wide.

"Send a team out to make a perimeter," I suggested. Lily looked at me. Her panicked expression faded, and she jerked her head in a nod.

"Matson! Gather five soldiers and make a perimeter!" Lily commanded.

"Jade lay back down," Jermia said in a quiet voice. "Lily has this. Just relax. I'm going to leave Ethan with you while I help your sister."

I stared at him for a minute before nodding. I lowered myself to the ground again and kept still. Jermia and Lily stood both shouting orders. I stared up at my Legend.

"I did not expect the mission to end this way. I knew there were a few outcomes, but this I didn't expect." I muttered. I closed my eyes and took a breath in. More bubbling blood. "Wake me when something exciting happens..."