Chapter Twenty-Seven

AXL

As Christine and I passed through the sliding doors, our eyes adjusted to the dazzling glare of white light. The doors led into the heart of the city plaza. Luxurious cottages and restaurants covered the ground level, which hummed with life. Affluent Makroid families and their children strolled around the meticulously-laid cobblestone paths. Above us were similar levels filled with mansions, pools, gambling arenas, and a slew of facilities fit for only the wealthiest.

The illusion of prosperity was perfect. The finest trees, grass, and shrubbery imported from across the galaxy lined the streets. An eternal screen fitted onto the ceiling streamed the image of bright blue skies. Custom-built lamps were mounted on the corners at regular intervals, mimicking rays of natural sunlight.

“What is this place?”

“They call it the Royal Bubble.” I smeared the blood under my nose with the back of my hand. We didn’t look like we belonged in the community. The number of eyeballs lingering in our direction was multiplying every second. “We can’t stay here for long.”

We started to run and came close to hitting a food cart. “Get out of our way!” Christine ordered, waving her weapon at the handler.

The frightened Makroid tripped over his feet and scrambled to get away from us. With a swipe of her arm, Christine cleared off the full plates of food on both tiers of the cart. People began to complain as food rained on them and splattered across their flashy clothes. The cart vendor stomped off angrily, leaving it for us to steal.

The doors began to slide open behind us. “They’re coming. We have to keep moving.”

Our getaway plan was clumsy but effective. Flinging the pillar onto the top of the cart, we pushed it as fast as we could to build up momentum. When it was at maximum speed, we jumped into the back. It was up to me to maneuver through the crowd. I did my best to avoid hitting any civilians, but those who failed to move out of the way got the wind knocked out of them.

I propelled the cart through the doors on my right, leaving behind the sunny skies and temperature-controlled environment. The typical weather for the planet, cursed black skies and bitter cold, felt like it could devour us.

This was the first time Christine saw the exterior of the Royal Bubble. She gasped at the enormous dome.

“I know it looks terrific, but let’s leave the cart. You see that ghetto over there? That’s where we’re going.”

We ran past rows of dirt and mud huts, carefully avoiding the Makroid soldiers swarming out of the bubble. We flattened ourselves against one of the larger cabins, making sure we stayed concealed while spying on the active search party. We were so absorbed in what was happening three hundred feet away from us that we failed to notice the Makroid villagers coming out of their houses.

“Axl, do we need to worry about these guys?”

I turned around warily, the hairs on my arms and neck standing on end. Barefoot Makroid of all ages stood before us. The hems of their tattered rags swished back and forth in the wind. Each one had identical yellow teardrops tattooed onto the sides of their necks. They had gray skin which looked almost translucent from the lack of sunlight.

They came for us slowly with slow movements reminiscent of the undead. Christine and I stood with our backs against each other and raised our weapons. I strengthened my grip on the pillar. I could hear the blood pounding in my ears.

“Stand back, all of you!”

“We don’t want to hurt you. Please! Don’t come any closer!”

All the Makroid came to a halt except for one. The bravest among them was also the oldest. He had a crooked back and trembled when he walked. When he spoke, I could barely make out his Standard.

“We not hurt you. We wait you.”

“What do you mean?” I wasn’t afraid of him, but I still kept my weapon raised.

“Come.” The Makroid looked like he expected people to obey him. “Follow.”

Christine and I exchanged a questioning glance but decided to pursue the strange offer. He led us past the sea of Makroid and into one of the huts. Our guide removed the oil lamp hanging by the door and led us through the humbly furnished house, ushering us down to the cellar.

“Axl! Christine!”

I lowered my weapon, feeling relieved. The Magnum squad, along with General Wasid, stared back at me, surrounded by a bounty of weaponry, ammunition, and combat gear. The general stepped forward, tipping his hat.

“The Empress was right about you two. You certainly don’t give up easily. It’s good to see you, Axl. Everyone on your team should be around here somewhere.”

“How did you manage to find us?” I discarded the Makroid weapon, helping myself to a familiar piece from the stockpile.

“You have one of your acquirers to thank for that.” The general gestured at Natya. “When she sensed trouble, we tried to reach you, but all our attempts at contact failed. We picked up the cruiser’s signal at Echiles and went to investigate. Barthan pointed us in this direction.”

“How is he?”

One look at Isley’s puffy wet eyes gave me the answer. She shook her head sadly, laying her head on Natya’s shoulder. Even though he had betrayed me, he was still my friend. My throat constricted and I felt a stabbing pain twist around in my chest.

“He’s in a better place now.” I cracked my neck and looked at the general. “Do you have a plan?”

“The temple.” The Makroid pointed at the pillar with a skeletal finger. “I take you.” An excited hush fell over the room. “Come. Follow.”

The Urwanians armed themselves and filed out of the cellar, leaving not a single bullet behind. The Makroid stopped in the middle of the street and lifted the cover off a utility hole. The putrid stench of dung and sewage assaulted my nose.

“This way.” The Makroid appeared to be impervious to the smell.

As he climbed down the ladder, the rest of us slipped into the darkness after him. I tossed the pillar down the hole straight into Christine’s open arms. Leaping into the breach, the Urwanians advanced slowly, avoiding a murky river of black sludge and an unidentifiable substance dripping from the ceiling. The odor wasn’t the only obstacle in the tunnel. The terrain was hard to walk on and filled with insects.

General Wasid reached the end of the tunnel first. “What is this place?”

When I emerged, I looked up at a massive bronze mound behind me. We were back at the Royal Bubble again, only this time, we were at the rear. The Makroid appeared unaffected by the crowd of irate Urwanians chastising him. He pointed to a small knoll behind the bubble.

“This is why I don’t trust any Makroid.” Tariq spat next to his boot. “If they aren’t being intentionally deceitful, they’re actually crazy!”

“You’re not being fair.” Natya tried to reason with him. “We shouldn’t forget that they welcomed us into their homes.”

As the Urwanians argued among themselves, Christine followed the Makroid to the foot of the knoll by herself. She got down onto her knees, grunting as she leaned against a boulder and pushed it aside. Did she see something?

“Hey, guys?” She peeked behind the rock to get a better look. “Someone should bring the pillar over here!”

We hurried to her side, standing uselessly around her. Beneath the boulder was a strange hollow in the ground. Its frame and interior were constructed from an unidentifiable copper-colored metal, embellished with carvings in Makroid and Urwanian script.

It looked like a perfect fit for the pillar.

Christine took the pillar from my hands and slid it into the opening. As I helped Christine to her feet, the ground started to shake.

“Back!” The Makroid rushed around, pushing us away.

The floor started to break apart. Clumps of dead grass and soil fell into the opening. A set of shiny copper steps appeared under the ground.

“They’re here already! Stop them!”

I cocked my head back. A horde of Makroid appeared with Lord Silas and Akuza at the rear. They carried weapons and started firing immediately. The Urwanian soldiers on our right were the first to fall.

“Bring the pillar with us.” I helped the old Makroid over the hill as Christine dislodged the pillar from the ground. “We’re going inside.”