Chapter 45

KHITA

Khita relaxed next to Grey on a comfy couch, discussing the finer points of archery technique. Suddenly, the warped fletcher sat bolt upright as if struck by lightning.

“Now what?” said Grey, seeming annoyed.

“Titus,” said Khita. “He’s…he’s in danger.”

“How do you know?” inquired Grey, hearing the urgency in the young archer’s voice and getting up to follow Khita, who was already up, grabbing her weapons and heading for the door.

“I just know,” said Khita. “Wouldn’t you know if Rio was in trouble?”

“He’d signal me,” said Grey, as if anything else would be ridiculous.

“Okay, well, you know, what about some…other connection? Haven’t you ever felt so connected to somebody that…”

She broke off. “Oh god, I guess you haven’t. I…I’m so sorry.”

Grey did not reply, nor did she make eye contact — but she did grab her things. The two dashed out of the room.

“What’s the rush?” asked Watt, as they passed him in the hall.

“No time,” said Grey.

“Helio Corps in danger!” said Khita.

Othin and Vulcan strolled in, too. “Ah,” said Othin. “That must be what Vulcan was picking up.”

“Not the time for scientific revelations,” said Watt, his face concerned. “Get your things! Miss Grey needs us.”

Moments later, Grey, Khita, Watt, Othin and Vulcan dashed out of the Hawk Aviation building. Grey called to Rio, who had been resting with Sebastian. Rio and Sebastian quickly arrived to join them and were apprised of the situation.

“No,” said Grey curtly. “Sebastian — stay here.”

“Nonsense,” said Sebastian. “I lost Rose in the Trust War…I wasn’t there to protect her.” He slipped a pistol from his boot. “I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Sebastian, we need you to hold down the fort and tend the birds.”

“You know I can see through that flimsy excuse. I’m coming. There are plenty personnel remaining here to look after things.”

Grey looked like she was about to say something else, but she saw the determination in Sebastian’s eyes and fell silent.

The group jumped in a Hawk ship and set a course for the Helio Corps HQ.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Chapter 46

BRYNN

Meridian, Brynn, Lex, Garrison, Aethelinde, Oz and Rufflebucket, along with a mix of soldiers and Blackburn clones, entered the open doors of the Helio Corps facility and came face to face with the carnage and chaos within.

“Quickly,” shouted Brynn. “Behind me!” She raised her shield just in time to stop a heavy barrage from the twin cannons of Juno, the Omni head of security apparently having come along for the fun.

She saw, out of the corner of her eye, Orion and a large man in a suit similar to Garrison’s barreling down on them.

“Oz, Rufflebucket!” she cried. “You and the soldiers engage those…” She gestured at the mob of Omni…people.

“Psions,” finished Meridian in a booming voice. “Brynn, you and I will deal with those two.” He pointed at Orion and the other man.

“Garrison, search the upper floors for fighting or survivors. Aethelinde and Lex, you two go with him.”

Those three dashed off towards the stairs.

Brynn immediately began to feel the psionic effects preying on her mind. Rufflebucket put up a wall, and for a moment the psionic effects abated. Oz’s lasers tore apart several psions, but a cry sounded “…ENTROPY!”

Brynn and Rufflebucket dashed aside as an Ion Cloud landed where they had been standing a moment prior, crackling with electrons.

“Ha, ha,” said Oz, as one of his afterimages took his place and he retreated to safety. His victory was short-lived, however, as psions began to converge on his new position.

Brynn raised her shield towards Orion and the man in the warsuit, but the Empyrean rained down bursts of energy from above and it was impossible for her to cover every direction with her shield. She stumbled and began backing up slowly. Meridian and the other man were locked in combat, their massive polearms clashing against each other with resounding booms and shockwaves that she could almost feel some fifteen feet away.

Meridian seemed to be holding his own, but suddenly the warsuit lit up in bright green and Meridian’s shields and light of dawn seemed consumed by…something…

“Meridian!” yelled Brynn.

The automaton managed to get free of the warsuit’s grip and lumbered quickly over to Brynn, grabbing her arm and pulling her with him to a more defensible location.

“They are powerful,” said Meridian quietly. She hadn’t seen him like this.

Brynn only hoped that Garrison and Lex were faring better on the second floor.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Chapter 47

LEX

Garrison ran on ahead, his battle suit giving him giant strides. Lex and Aethelinde ascended the staircase together behind him, accompanied by one of the Blackburn clones.

Lex felt something on their tail and whirled around at the top of the staircase, roasting a psion where it stood.

“Nice shot,” said Aethelinde approvingly.

“Thanks!” replied Lex. This Aethelinde woman didn’t seem so bad, unlike that Flora monster…

Aethelinde smiled a funny smile, and the Blackburn clone unloaded its weapon into Lex’s skull.