Chapter Thirty-Four
I finally manage to crawl out of bed around noon. After a hot shower, I eat lunch in the kitchen, thinking about the break-in by Neptune. Who is this Neptune, anyway? For the sake of safety, the many Renegade cell groups that meet around the city rarely mingle. I’ll probably never meet those in the other groups, including him. Still, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to meet Neptune, to hear his stories of breaking into trading ports and helping free the aliens.
Kalen was hardly pissed about Neptune breaking into the Port. He was more concerned for the aliens’ lives than anything. If only he knew they would be given a better life. If only he was willing to join the Renegade. He has the power, the resources, the money to make a shattering difference in the empire. He just needs to see the Renegade as revolutionaries instead of cutthroat pirates. And there’s no way I can show him that unless I tell him everything—which could cost me my life if Tarik found out.
I take my empty dishes to the sink and begin washing them while other thoughts consume my mind—like how I’m going to get the key to the Starfinder from Kalen’s Port office without him noticing.
“Simling, you don’t have to do dishes,” Vermilia says as she steps up to the counter to take over.
“I’ve been lying in bed all morning,” I say, waving her away. “Take a break and let me help out where I can. It’s not like I have anything else to do in this estate.”
“You’s stay pretty busy your’s self. Always helping Melata and Bram with their work, plus whatever work Tarik gives you’s. And Adeline has been calling you’s to her side more often. It’s no wonder you’s are everyone’s favorite in the estate.”
I snort. “That’s doubtful.”
“Everyone loves your’s kindness and the way you’s sing in the morning while you’s sweep the courtyard. They’s anticipate it. And the flowers you’s place in the dining hall…they’s seem to have eased the master’s constantly dour mood.”
After that incident weeks ago when I brought in the first bouquet, Timeos called me into his office and apologized for his outburst. Apologized. Then, to my surprise, he asked me to keep bringing fresh flowers in every couple days.
“Your’s presence has brought with it a certain peace that no one’s felt since Lady Helana passed away,” Vermilia is saying.
The mention of Kalen’s mother hollows my stomach.
“I don’t think my presence has anything to do with it,” I say with a casual shrug. “Master Kalen has been happier lately because Adeline’s been feeling slightly better the past few days. His good mood lifts his father’s and sister’s spirits, which in turn makes everyone else in the estate more at peace.”
“I’s think there’s more to Kalen’s happiness than Adeline’s improved health.” She clicks her tongue. “Just remember to protect your’s heart.” I shoot her a look, but she slips out of the room before I can say anything.
Vermilia couldn’t be more wrong. If anything, my presence has made Kalen more stressed. I’m an extra burden, another promise he feels obligated to keep. And after what happened last night at the party… I shudder just thinking about the rumors that have no doubt spread through the city about him by now.
When evening rolls around, I make my way through the slums toward the Renegade, with Luna at my heels. I enter the hut and descend the stairs to the dugout basement. The first thing I notice are more faces, all unfamiliar to me. Cada rushes up to embrace me.
“I’ve waited all day to know that you’re all right,” she says. “I was worried about you after what happened at the party. I’m so sorry, Lark. The drinking game was a stupid idea. We should have done something else to get their attention.” She pulls away and searches my eyes. “Did you get in trouble?”
“No.” Oddly.
“I can’t believe you talked to Ket like that!”
“Me neither.” Usually I’m the quiet one. The invisible one. But since coming to Tavdora, a strange courage has come over me. It’s like leaving the people who really knew me made a whole new me appear. I actually want to be heard and seen. It’s refreshing, this new side of me. It’s also terrifying, because speaking out here on Tavdora could cost me my life. Ket wanted me flogged. It’s only by Kalen’s mercy that I was left unpunished. And it’s because of Kalen that I’ve developed more courage than I ever had at home.
“Come, I want you to meet a friend of mine.” Cada leads me across the room. “Another cell group has merged with ours to help with stealing the ship.” She greets an older Tavdorian with pinkish skin and white hair. Not the white hair that comes with age, but thick and long, and styled into dreadlocks. But what really stands out is his left eye—not an eye at all, but a round metal piece that flashes in the dim light as he studies me. Now this is what I imagine a space pirate to look like. “This is Jophire,” Cada says. “He’s from Ogan. He has close ties with the Queen of Ogan, and has helped with many prison escapes. He’s going to be piloting the Starfinder.”
“I hope you’ve piloted large ships before,” I say. “Because the Starfinder is huge.”
He offers a half smile. “I’m sure I can manage. I will also have a skilled copilot with me.”
“Jophire’s the best pilot in Ogan,” Cada says. “Don’t let that one eye fool you. It’s his fake eye that makes him more qualified than most to pilot a spaceship.”
“You’re a native, aren’t you?” he asks, studying me with an inquisitive sky-blue eye, his metal eye whirring.
“How do you know?”
Cada giggles. “Jophire’s been around the galaxy. He’s worked with natives from all three Captive Planets.”
He nods. “If you were slave-born, you wouldn’t feel so comfortable talking to me now, much less making eye contact.” He winks with his natural eye. “Tell me, what continent are you from? Americas? Africa? Europe?”
“I guess the Americas,” I say, remembering Mom’s lessons on geography. “In a place once known as Indiana.”
He tilts his head. “Surprising you could stay hidden. The midwestern part of that continent is covered with slave plantations.”
“We were very strict about curfew and not traveling too far. But there was a plantation built close to our house.” I chew my lip. “We used to have a pact with them, but since we crossed into their borders, I don’t know how safe it is anymore.”
“It’d be wise if your people moved on from there,” Jophire says.
I nod, but I wonder if they would. Daniel was always so adamant about staying where they are, that house being in the family for nearly a century and all. But now that I’ve gone missing, will they stay there until they find out what happened to me? Or will my disappearance be their cue to leave? Did Josiah and Johnson tell Daniel what they did? Of course not. My stomach tightens at the thought of people risking their lives in search of me, when I’m not anywhere to be found.
“I hope I haven’t upset you,” Jophire says.
I sink down beside him. “I’ve been so preoccupied with my arrival here, and now with my plans to get back to Earth, I haven’t really thought about what’s going on at the farm. I guess it’s something I need to consider. What about you? How do you know so much about Earth?”
“I traveled there a few times. I led expeditions to capture natives and bring them here.”
My heart stops. “You’re a mercenary.”
“Was.” Jophire heaves out a sigh. “Unlike other Ogans, I supported slavery, was even afraid of what would happen if the aliens weren’t kept under control. Ten years ago, I scouted out what used to be known as Colorado for the hidden tribes. Instead, I got separated from my traveling party and got lost in the wilderness. Ironically, the tribe I was seeking found me…and saved my life. It was during my three months as their prisoner that I learned how bright and normal the Humans are.”
His thick brows furrow. “Hundreds of years of slavery breaks people down,” he says, speaking slowly. “It takes away their humanity until there’s nothing left but docile, complacent shells. That’s all most Tavdorians see, anyway. But when I was in the minority, when I was the one held captive, I saw a different side of the people who I thought were beneath me.” He shakes his head. “I was a cruel man before I met those natives. Heartless. And I spent years of regret and shame when I returned home. I would have lost my life to liquor if I hadn’t found my place with the Renegade. Nothing can erase the lives I stole, but the rebels offered the promise of redemption all the same.”
Hope wells in my chest. The fact that a mercenary who makes it his business to capture and enslave natives could completely change his mindset gives me hope for the rest of the Tavdorian race.
“How did you escape?” I ask.
“My company found me. I gave strict orders to leave the tribe alone.”
“Are they still there?”
“They’ve moved on from that location since I left.” He shrugs. “Of course, I know where they are. A different part of Colorado. It’s where we’ll be taking the ship. A large army has already begun training, and I’m going to bring soldiers to help them.”
My heart lifts. It’s real. This Colorado tribe is real. Does that mean Terrence is still alive and working with them?
“Have you had recent connection with Colorado?” I dare to ask.
He hesitates. “I was just there last year.”
“Have you…have you ever heard of a boy named…Terrence?”
Something shifts in his eye. “Terrence…Walker?”
My breath is stolen from my lungs. “Yes.”
“He doesn’t go by that name anymore.”
“But…you know him?” Breathe. Remember to breathe. “Is he well? Is he alive?”
He narrows his eye. “How do you know him?”
“He’s…my…brother.”
“You’re kidding.” Jophire’s straight mouth breaks into a smile. His natural eye crinkles. And his deep, hearty laugh fills the room. “May the Red Sun boil me alive. He’s here with me.” He looks past me. “Neptune, get on over here!”