Chapter Twenty-Seven

I can't imagine how my sweet little brother is feeling right now. He had just got shot on the shoulder and now it's bleeding. He's just a small eight years old boy. How can he bear even a single bullet. I was feeling something new. Something much deeper and more meaningful than before. Deep affection. I realised I had never been extremely sad even when I know that my parents might be dead. I guess because I've not seen them being killed. I've not seen the death of my family members. My grandparents died before I was born. That makes me wonder, did mom and dad experienced the same thing as Zayne? Oh little brother. My tears flowed down my cheeks continuously. I was crying. But not a noisy cry. It was quiet. The whole auditorium was quiet. Somewhere else Norman was crying over his dad's body and others were mourning as well. Some also stood by my side, respecting the moment. Mrs Sky gently put down Zayne so that I can hold him in my arms.

'Oh Zayne, I'm so sorry!' I cried, hugging him. The blood went onto my jumpsuit. But I don't care. Zayne whimpered. I must have hurt him from the hug. I do it gently afterwards. My tears were still flowing as I cried. The teardrops fell onto the bloody surface of Zayne's jumpsuit.

'Somebody, please help me. He needs a doctor!' I exclaimed in between cries.

'I'm very sorry. He don't have much time' one of the lady fighters said.

'I don't care! Just try!' I shouted, sad and angry together.

'That's okay Zac' Zayne said. I softly shush him. I stroked his head very gently, stroked his hair, touch his face.

'You know I will always love you brother' Zayne said. This made me cry even more. Zayne also had tears in him. 'It's very painful'

'I can take the pain away. Just think happy thoughts Zayne. Think about all the fun time we used to have' I cried. And at that moment, I sang the beautiful song, mom's favourite, which she used to sing to us all the time. In between controlling my tears, I utter the words with the best melodious tones I can come out with.

'Chocolates sweets sugar and candy,

This song I sing may it remind me of you,

And may it always remind you of me,

For that I sing you this song.

Chocolates sweets sugar and candy,

I love you always and forever more,

Keep me always in your memory,

I love you always and forever more.'

Zayne moved his right arm very slowly and carefully, I know it's hurting him, and he touched my left cheek. My tears fell onto his hand.

'I love you brother' he said. And his hand slowly dropped, but faster than he moved before. Now motionless. Eyes closed. I see no breathing. He's gone.

'Zayne?!' I exclaimed, panic. I placed my head on his chest. No heartbeat. He's really gone. I cried.

'I love you more brother' I said softly, crying very sincerely. Mrs Sky teared as well. She got up immediately afterwards and when she saw her dead husband, she ran to him and her tears turned to cries. I held Zayne for a very long time. Everyone else who has no dead family members or friends, some helped tidy the place up. While most of them brought the surviving guards away. I know they're preparing for a fight. A huge battle. But I don't care about that anymore. I don't care if anyone is going to kill me now. I'm the only one left in my family who is still alive. I firmly held Zayne in my arms, not letting him go. If anyone's gonna take me away from him, they're gonna have to go through me. Rip me away from him. Zayne's blood was drying up. I got his blood on my hands, the top of my shirt, and a few tiny spots on my face. The bullet that hit him was big. It's bigger than the size of an adults thumb. Perks of a future gun. I could see it from here. Resting inside his flesh. He got shot in the front. That means he didn't have enough time to turn before the guards started shooting. Then I guess Mrs Sky helped brought him behind these tables. And Dane was saved as well. My tears was still flowing, my thoughts were not stopping anytime soon. I kept remembering our happy moments together and then with mom and dad. Then I imagined, I'm now all alone, how am I gonna live without any of my family members? Perks of having wild imagination. By the time they had picked the tables up and almost clean the whole auditorium except the dried blood, my tears were already dry as well. And my legs hurt a lot from kneeling down so long. Bit I don't care. I had stopped crying. I was motionless. Zayne still in my arms. I'm just staring into nothing. My thoughts still of Zayne and my family. Then I blinked a few times and I realised that I wasn't alone all along. There were people around me mourning and giving respect as well. Basically all my friends were here, except Norman. Dane was still sitting beside, he had moved his hands away from his ears. And he was staring at Zayne. I looked behind and saw Orion, Fayre and Tazanna standing timidly, looking down. When they saw I was looking at them, they gave an apologetic look. I think I look horrible. I know my cheeks were filled with dry tears and my eyes were partly red from the crying. Aside from them, Chief Willie was there too. He kept looking downwards in respect. I appreciate that. Especially coming from a respected person. Orion came to kneel down beside me. Fayre followed but stood behind me.

'I am sorry Zac' Orion said. 'He was a very good brother and a nice innocent boy'

I was starting to tear up again listening to the sweet words. I was also getting nose-block as well from crying so much. Fayre placed her hand gently on my shoulder.

'He was an amazing person and friend. For many brief moments he helped a lot. He was a hero, the youngest hero I've ever met' Fayre said. And I cried again.

'He was a wonderful brother, the best that someone can wish for' Norman's voice suddenly said. I looked up, he was standing a few steps behind Dane. I stopped crying in confusion.

'Norman, your dad' I said.

'No. I am extremely sad that I've lost a loved one today. But I still have many loved ones to watch over me. My mom, my grandmother, and my relatives. You don't. And don't feel bad that you wasn't there for me when I was crying over my dad. I should feel bad if I didn't come to you. I'm sorry Zac. I understand. All of you. You lost many people whom you love very much' Norman said. My eyes were teary looking and listening to him. Orion and Fayre were tearing as well. I pushed away my selfish emotional self. I gently let Zayne go for the first time after holding him so long and went to Norman. I spread my arms ready to hug him. And he returned it. We were both covered in blood. Norman was worse, I guess Mr Sky got shot a lot of times.

'Thank you Norman' I said, letting go. 'Your father was a great man and a warrior'

He smiled in tears.

'Let's clean them' I said to chief Willie. 'I know we don't have much time but…'

'No worries Zachary. For you and your friends there's plenty of time even to clean yourselves up' Willie said. 'I'll explain soon'

He ordered the cause members to take the bodies to a certain place I don't know. He mentioned "the extra lab".

'Come follow me' Willie said leading the way, after the members carried Zayne and Mr Sky.

'Tazanna, I want you to find Michael and meet us immediately at the extra lab'

'Yes grandfather'

'Where are we going?' Fayre asked.

'You'll see'

We walked out of the auditorium, still walking at the sides of the building, we took a stairs up to the edges of some sort of a huge balcony filles with trees, overlooking the entire base. Enchanting. We walked to the walls and turned a corner, now away from anyone else. We took another flight of stairs up. We turned diagonally to the left into a narrow walkway. There were two doors. But we were not entering any of those. Instead, the members at the front placed their hands on the side of the wall at the edge of the walkway. A reader suddenly appeared in the wall, reading the hand. Then it disappeared and a door outline formed on the wall, sliding inwards to form a real door. We entered. A total white room filled with furnitures of their own colours. Equipments I don't recognise and many other strange objects. But one thing attracted me, the symbol on one part of the white wall, it's the same as the one back at Warhem base.

'This is a secret room only those authorised can enter with handprint' Willie said.

There are a few bathrooms stated with signs. And another big room with two long tables and shower faucets. That seems like where they're placing Zayne and Mr Sky. To clean up. And yes, they placed them inside.

'My assistants will help clean them. I know you have tons of questions. I'll explain later. We'll wait for Michael and Tazanna. You can proceed to shower as well' Willie said. Oh yes, I've lots of questions and I also want to clean myself up. Not just me and Norman but the rest of us also went to shower.

'Are there any clean clothes?' I asked. The others stopped to listen too. Like they also just remembered about wanting to change clothes.

'All ten bathrooms are connected to a bedroom. Take your time. The soldiers can't get up here fast. They'll have to pass through my men first' Willie said kindly, but the last part softly and controlling anger. I entered the bathroom. Very neat and clean. There are towels, soaps and shampoos of different kinds, toothbrush and toothpaste. And many other toiletries all arranged neatly in their respective places. There even was a small cabinet with sweet-scented candles. It's just a small bathroom with a sink, a toilet and a shower. All fit in just nice. And at the other end there was another door. I'm guessing that's the door to the bedroom. I locked the first door. And went to open the second. The bedroom was beautiful. Not big, like the bathroom, everything needed were fitted in nicely in one room. And the bedroom has another door, I guess that leads to the walkway back to the room where Willie was in. I made sure to lock all doors before showering. I don't like anyone to see my body. Not even my family members. The only people who have seen me naked is probably only my mom and dad.

The water was cool. The soap and shampoo were very fragrant. I stayed in the rain for a few minutes. Then the thoughts of Zayne and my parents came to my mind. And I started crying again. There were many clothes to choose from. But what attracted me most was machine beside the floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. It's some sort of clothes maker. You key in your preferences then a robot installed inside will measure your size, etcetera. I want that, a customised outfit. A big hole at the bottom. I guess that's where the shirt will appear. I pressed the start button on the screen.

'Welcome! Top, bottom, full body, shoes or hat?' the computer said. Wow, they can even customise shoes and hats. I pressed on top. A whole bunch of other options appeared.

'Coat, T-shirt, formal wear, shirt, singlet, bra, others' computer said. Wow this thing is not really for kids. I wonder how Dane was doing. I pressed the back button. The previous page appeared. I pressed on full body.

'Uniform, jumpsuit, dress, combat, others' computer said. I pressed combat.

'Design your top' computer said. A whole lot of options I can't describe. I can choose between a few options how I want the top to look like. I chose the long sleeve shirt with buttons top to bottom but the buttons hidden behind an additional layer of cotton. Then time to choose a colour. I can even decide if I want only a certain part of it with a certain colour. Way cool. I was so engrossed. I chose the collar and the sleeves to be in dark blue. The collar is just a short one, so anyone can still see my neck. The rest are in black. Then I was required to choose a pants. I chose a soft material and the colour black. That was when a voice suddenly spoke through the speaker.

'Attention all main base members of the cause' I don't recognise the speaker.

'We are about to be attacked. Don't panic. All women, children, senior citizens, the disabled, and the sick and injured to proceed calmly and orderly to the southwest emergency exit' he said.

I pressed the button done and the machine released measuring equipments to measure my size. Cool. I was still wrapped in my towel. So for a brief moment I was naked outside the bathroom. Two customised outfits fell into the hole a few minutes later. I put them on. They fit comfortably. I walked to the door leading back to the main room earlier. A small table with a gift basket on top. Inside was a small sling bag and a strange curvy device. A folded paper was attached to the side, saying 'Take'. I took the bag and unzipped it. The smell of new object filled my nose. The bag is brand new. It's empty as well. I guess it's for me to fill in anything I want, obviously. I slung it over my shoulder. I took the device next and observed it closely. It's some kind of earpiece. I think it is an earpiece. Something smells exciting. I carefully placed the earpiece inside my sling bag and went out of the room. I walked a few distance through the walkway back to the main room. Now that I pay closer attention to the details, the main room is very fancy. White couches by the sides of the wall, facing a big screen tv. Flowers in pots as decoration. Magazines, a big jug of plain water with eight cups were placed on the white coffee table. Michael and Tazanna were sitting on two armchairs beside the couches.

'I'm sorry to hear about your brother' Michael said. He sounded sincere but no affection at all. Like his whole life is just about serious stuffs. I nodded and sit down on the couch opposite them.

'I like your combat suit Zac!' Tazanna said. Speaking of which, I also like theirs. Tazanna was wearing a black and red combat suit which I guess is also customised. Michael was wearing an all brown combat suit with little grey here and there. Basically it defines his dull character. His spiky hair is combed neatly.

'Thanks' I replied.

Fayre and Orion appeared in the room. And at that moment I almost thought Zayne was gonna come in as well. I snapped out of it.

Fayre and Orion were both wearing combat suits. But Fayre's design has like a dress shape. It's just pretty. She is pretty. Hers is purple in colour and a few other shades of it. Orion's is green in colour. He has a black vest on his top. Basically all of us have very different designs. Then Norman came in and I noticed his shirt from my wardrobe. There's one of those also in mine. He has a combination of long sleeve shirt and a vest like Orion's. Except his shirt was white. And that he has no customised clothes.

'Alright this isn't a fashion contest, please sit' Michael said. Fayre and Orion had been standing and admiring almost everything.

'You don't have to be so rude about it' Fayre said and sat down beside me. Michael ignored her. Fayre got irritated by that and she rolled her eyes. These two seems like they won't be getting along.

Chief Willie came in with Dane beside him. So I guess Willie has been helping him getting cleaned and ready. Wait, ready for what even? I don't know what we're doing here for. Funeral for Zayne and Mr Sky?

'Sorry we're late' Willie said, gesturing Dane to have a seat. Dane sat on my other side.

'Alright everyone' Willie said, clapping his hands together. All of us were sitting attentively, waiting for whatever he's about to say.

'There's a reason you are here and there's a reason why I chose you. But we don't have much time for me to explain everything' he said, making eye-contact with us one by one. 'We are waiting for Malcolm to get here. He will lead you on this very important mission. Now do take me seriously because this will determine the future of Dustromedian'

I sat straighter than before. I am very curious about what he's saying.

'You are to use all your unique abilities to succeed in this undeniably dangerous mission. You are to retrieve the sphere of Dustromedian and deliver it back to the ruined city of Zonex, its rightful place'

'Wait! hold on a second. You're trying to say we are going on an adult mission?' Fayre asked.

'Yes'

'All of us in one team?'

'Yes'

I saw Fayre glared at Michael in annoyance after that.

'Is that even legal?' Orion asked.

'Come now Mr Pierce. You saw the true nature of the government. Do you think they're legal?'

'No'

'But why wait till now?' Norman asked.

'Because I needed to assemble all of you'

I don't get what he's trying to say though.

'Why you need us?' I asked.

I could see Michael getting annoyed by us asking too many questions.

'You are all more important than you think you are. I'm grateful to have assembled you. Your life is precious, please be careful'

Then he turned to me.

'Zachary, now that we have lost your brother, the chance is more fatal, if you die it'll be over'

Oh no he didn't. He just spoke the value of Zayne's life and mine? Because he only needed one blood to finish the mission. So if I had died instead, he'll only need Zayne. But i didn't express my thoughts. I guess it's just me being emotional. But how could he say that though. I nodded.

'Zonex was the rightful place of the sphere. It is where the source of energy works best. James' father, Carlos, stole it from them and spread the rumors of Zonex harnessing a deadly weapon. All the other cities were afraid of course. So they supported him. Carlos only wanted the sphere for himself. He build his dreams from the power of the sphere he make productive with the help of his scientists. Techbots are all controlled by the sphere. Whatever inventions by Carlos is controlled by it. Zonex never fight back, because they know majority wins. When James took over, he ordered Zonex to be destroyed. And afterwards, he told everyone that Zonex had wanted to start a war with the capital. Slowly, the Jaxs family power went into the other cities and James controlled them all. We know the truth because of a brave scientists who founded it out. You all know that story. Our ties with Earth is no longer available since Carlos took the sphere. Without the sphere in its rightful position, we can't connect with Earth and when all resources we brought from Earth run out, who knows how long will we survive without it. Now, upon placing the sphere back at its place, you'll have to sacrifice a little amount of your blood. That is the password for the sphere to work. I know that sound terrifying but it is essential. My father used to work for James until he found out the truth. And since then, he dedicated his life to set things right. Both of us have searched everywhere for you. Why your blood is needed is because a drop of blood of the committee members of Zonex is the password. So my late father and I have succeeded in locating all the members. Some of you, your family ancestors may have changed their identities but thankfully we managed'

I have no comment. That's a lot to take in. A whole lot of explanation. What he meant is I'm part of a royal family?

'I don't understand. How you know?' Fayre asked.

'Fayre. Fayre Gabriel. That's your real last name. You were not given up for adoption. Your parents were murdered by a government member because they found out their true identities. They did not kill you then because a secret agent Jackson thought he could change you'

'That makes sense' Fayre said. 'My whole life is a lie'

'All members of the committee have to sacrifice everything when James destroyed Zonex. They form this password so that no one else can assess the city when they returned the sphere. They are too afraid it fall in another wrong hands. Every committee member scattered all around Dust. But their lives became endangered when James found out the secret. The Williams family, my family, Tazanna's, have always been the leader of the committee and very valuable to the Jaxs. They didn't kill us because we were diplomatic and cunning'

He paused.

'This is so huge' Orion said.

'Can I know our real identity?' I asked.

'Adams. Yours is still the same' he replied, looking at me and then at the others when he talk about them.

'Your family is second in command after the Williams but your great grandfather's smart. He has a knack for concealing identity even though your family name is obvious. Nothing will make sense completely now. You will all have tons of questions but I can't answer them. Our lives is all messed up. Whatever you heard about the betrayal is also not entirely true. Lies is essential for survival in our families. Dane Jacoby. Not Dalton. Fayre Gabriel, I told you earlier. Orion Phillip. Same goes to your brother. Norman Windscale. Tazanna, you know yours. And Michael Prince' Willie said.

All of us, well except me because mine is the same and Tazanna's as well. And I don't know what Dane was thinking. But the rest were amused to know their real family name.

All of a sudden, a very loud alarm repeatedly sounded through the speaker. I guess the whole base is alarmed.

'Warning, intruders' a computer voice spoke in between alarms. All of us became tensed. How are we supposed to get out now?

'One more thing. After you finish the mission, please head to Hayden. Tazanna and Michael have been briefed. But the reason for it is, I need you to find one more committee family. There are a total of eight families. We only have seven now. I managed to narrow down one more. And most probably located at Hayden. The last name is Pentagon. About Hayden, Tazanna and Michael will explain to you along the way. Please be careful' Willie said. 'Now come on'

He gestured us to follow him to another room. We all got up. I walked with Dane. It was a big room, like a garage actually. A one of a kind spacecar is inside. It's huge. Can fit maybe about ten people. I guess that's why there are ten rooms. I came to wonder if this place is built for us.

'Get in' Willie said, opening the car door.

'Remember, use your unique abilities well. That's essential' he said as one by one we entered the car. He stopped Norman and whispered something to him when he was about to enter. I was the last, Dane was before me. He stopped me too.

'I'm terribly sorry about Zayne. I will make sure of it that the soldiers won't enter here until they've finished beautifying them' he whispered.

I guess that's what he said to Norman as well. I nodded, feeling grateful. I entered the car. It was also like a spaceship. Seats facing each other on one side and the other, none facing the pilot seats. It was metallic inside and full of buttons. I went to sit beside Norman on the side where the door is. Ten seats. Five this side, and the other five opposite. All of us sat this side except Tazanna and Michael who sat at the opposite. I guess we will have to get along no matter what. Our ties is very important based on Willie's story.

'I have a question, why us when you have adults of the bloodline?' Fayre asked.

'That's why I chose you. Children are honest and want to do what's right' Willie replied.

'We'll explain along the way Gabriel' Michael said. Fayre rolled her eyes.

'If not us, then any of the adults following us' he continued.

'Where's Malcolm?' Willie said restlessly, looking at his watch. Then he placed his head a little inside the car space.

'Tazanna, like we discussed. If, your father didn't make it here, you can drive and pilot right?' he asked. Tazanna looked at him deeply. She breathed in and reply.

'I will. Michael can help too'

Willie nodded and pulled his head back out of the car. We heard the garage door opened immediately afterwards. And a few seconds later, Malcolm entered the car with a few other adults, I guess part of the crew. And to my surprise. To Norman and Orion as well I guess. Miss Janet was one of them. She wasn't in her normal innocent teacher dress. She was in a leather jacket and tight pants.

'Hey Zac, Norman, Orion. Nice seeing you again!' she said cheerfully. She's very confident. I was too surprised to reply.

'I thought they're about to execute you back at Warhem!' Norman exclaimed. Miss Janet smiled.

'I'm part of the cause and they definitely won't let an innocent member die. The gunshot I sure you heard on screen were us rescuing me'

If I'm not mistaken, Miss Janet sounded very cocky than her usual self. Maybe all this while, the sweet teacher accent were all just acting. And aside from her, Draven suddenly entered the car, still in the lab coat. Orion was quick as a flash, he immediately unbuckled his seatbelt and ran to hug him.

'How'd you get away?' Orion asked.

'The soldiers had already started fighting' Draven said.

'We were late because we have to get him first' Malcolm said. 'The elite soldiers are finding us, we have to hurry'

He sat in the main pilot's seat. Everyone else went to seat in their respective places. Now beside Tazanna and Michael are Draven, Miss Janet and another guy I don't know. In the pilot's seating area(there are three seats), the main pilot is Malcolm. A lady and a guy I don't know sat beside him as co-pilots.

'Be safe!'

I could hear Willie's voice from outside over the loud sound of the engine, Malcolm had just started. Malcolm turned back to see us and then to Willie outside the car and gave a thumbs up. With a few more pushes of buttons, the engine quiets down. But I could feel the energy still running. Cool. I thought we were gonna travel around with a very noisy car. The bad guys will surely track us down. A few seconds later, the car lifted off the ground. The garage door opened automatically like it senses the car. Through the pilot window, I could see the outside of the garage. A black world with orange lines and electric cells. It's just like the advancement in the police cars. Like I said, I don't understand the technology but this is surely exciting. Though my chance of getting killed, no, assassinated is getting higher. Malcolm pushed the wheel up and we went into the black.