"Absolutely not," the finality of Marco's words told anyone that he was completely serious and not to be questioned. Skyla and Maia exchanged looks. They were in the mess hall having breakfast when Maia had breached the subject of escape with Marco. It was just them at the table as Jaymz was on an early morning run in the zoo complex. There was a fair amount of noise to mask their conversation, so long as they kept their voices low.
Skyla opened her mouth to argue but Maia held up a hand for her to quiet. The Cazar looked at the Rilgarian,
"Why?" she said simply.
"Your presence will jeopardise the mission," he replied bluntly.
"Not necessarily. I can help," Maia countered. Marco shook his head,
"No."
"Maia's been here longer than me," Skyla interjected before Maia could reply, "she knows the facility better than I do, and we need all the help we can get." The Rilgarian gave her a withering look,
"If that's your opinion then why not get every slave involved? We'll be sure to succeed then." Skyla's eyes narrowed at his cutting sarcasm.
"Do you really think you can do it?" asked Maia, ignoring his last words. Marco blinked coolly,
"I know I can."
"Then why do you need Skyla?" The Rilgarian's eyes slid over to the Lombax and studied her for a moment, before returning to the Cazar.
"She has the knowledge I need...and I also require some muscle," he said carefully. Skyla's eyebrows shot up in surprise,
"I get to hit people? Please say it's the guards...?" Marco's own eyebrows rose in response to her eagerness at the thought of violence, but it was a patronising look with a hint of disgust.
"Yes, I will need you to take out a guard or two. I've been watching every slave since I first arrived to look for potential partners, and I've seen you train. I was reasonably impressed. And it seems you're the only one who has the guts, the muscle and the knowledge I need to get out of this place," he explained simply. Skyla smiled slightly at the compliment, then frowned,
"But why me? There are plenty who have those things who'd provide better assistance than me."
"As I said before, would you rather I asked someone else?" the Rilgarian retorted and Skyla's mouth closed.
"You realise that Skyla is one of the Collector's prized 'possessions' and taking her with you is extremely dangerous. The Collector will come after you, no doubt about that," Maia informed him evenly. She wasn't trying to make him renounce Skyla's help, but she felt duty bound to let him know exactly what he was getting in to. Marco looked at Skyla briefly,
"I need her knowledge and aid. Her status is irrelevant."
"And if you fail, your life will be forfeit," the Cazar added.
"I will not fail." Maia looked at him curiously,
"What makes you so confident that it will work?"
"Because I know it will," Marco told her simply, no trace of emotion on his blank features. Maia nodded,
"Ok then. Count me in." The Rilgarian's expression hardened,
"You're not coming with us."
"I think you'll find she is," Skyla stated. Marco looked at her as if she were a mad creature who smelt unpleasant,
"Have you taken leave of your senses, Lombax? She cannot, and will not, be coming with us. The risks are already too high, to add to them would be sheer madness." Skyla shook her head stubbornly, not too keen on being addressed as 'Lombax'.
"She's coming with us, or I'm not helping." The Rilgarian's eyes narrowed,
"What makes you think I won't just find someone else? You said so yourself, there are plenty of others who have what I need."
"Because I know of your plan and I could tell Baen about it. Then you'd never make it," she replied bluntly. Marco scrutinised her for a moment, gauging how serious she was. Skyla stared back solidly, daring him to challenge her.
"Why should she come with us?" he asked finally.
"Because she can help."
"That's not good enough."
"Why not?"
"How can she help?" Skyla's mouth opened and closed.
"She can..."
"Double check your plan and point out flaws," Maia continued, "as Skyla said, I've been here longer than her and seen more escape attempts. I can help you fix mistakes before you make them." Marco's mouth twitched ever so slightly as if he found her words amusing, then shook his head in mild disgust.
"Fine, I will add your presence to my plan, but if you fall behind...I will not be responsible for your demise." Maia nodded, giving Skyla a look as the Lombax had been about to argue.
"Deal." Marco turned to Skyla with a small sneer,
"This whole situation just became a whole lot riskier thanks to you. Are you sure you can handle the risks?" The goading in his voice made Skyla want to punch him square on the chin, but she didn't want to make a scene so instead she clenched her fist and jaw. Exchanging glances with Maia, an understanding passed between the friends. Skyla nodded at Marco, steel in her eyes.
"Bring it on."
Two days passed before Marco contacted them about his plan. Skyla and Maia had made a point not to talk about anything to do with escaping or the like. They kept themselves in check, keeping their normal personalities in working order so no-one suspected anything. It went without saying that neither of them trusted the Rilgarian, and under normal circumstances they might not have even indulged his presence. But as it stood, they needed him, and he needed them. A necessary evil, Maia would say.
Marco came to them when they were both working in the artefact's room. It was just them so there was no chance of being overheard by any creature in particular. But there were still the cameras to think of. The Rilgarian came straight over, and from his stance, Skyla guessed he'd already 'taken care' of the cameras.
"I have 3 minutes before I need to go. I'm here to tell you plan which will be executed tomorrow night...as well to correct any 'mistakes' you spot," he added with a glance at Maia. The Cazar ignored the jibe in his voice, instead looking at where the surveillance cameras were.
"You're sure it's safe?" she asked.
"It's fine," the Rilgarian waved his hand lazily, then reached down to his shoe and drew out several sheets of leaf. Skyla recognised her map and security plan, but it appeared he'd made his own notes.
"Have I got your full attention?" he asked sarcastically. Skyla's eyes narrowed and she was about to make a harsh retort when Maia cut across her,
"We're all ears," she said with a warning look directed at Skyla.
The Lombax and the Cazar listened closely as Marco unfolded the leaves and began outlining his plan of escape. As he spoke, Skyla couldn't help but be impressed; he had really thought this through, taken most things into consideration.
Once or twice Maia butted in with a question or observation which the Rilgarian countered thoroughly, and the Cazar could find few flaws in the plan. It was simple enough, but required a great amount of skill on Marco and Skyla's part. If they played their cards right...it might just work.
"Any other questions?" the green skinned man asked.
"What do we do when we get out of the facility? It's dense jungle out there and we've no supplies," Maia wondered aloud.
"I've got it all set, don't you worry," Marco assured her, though neither friend felt very assured by this.
"How?" Maia persisted. The Rilgarian gave an irritated sigh,
"We're out of time, you'll just have to trust me." He pointedly ignored Skyla's disbelieving snort. "Are we clear?" The girls exchanged glances, then nodded the affirmative. "Good. I'll give you what you need by tomorrow evening...you'll need to get ready for bed as normal, but make sure you have extra layers on."
"And you are certain it will work?" Maia asked apprehensively.
"We'll find out soon enough." With that, the Rilgarian rolled up the leaves and slipped them back into his shoe. He left the room without another word. Skyla returned to her work station, indicating that Maia should do the same. They restarted their chores, making it look as if they'd never left. Neither of them said a word, as they hadn't been talking beforehand. Besides, what could they say? Only one thought filled both their heads, and it was not something they could speak of aloud. So silence reigned over the Cazar and the Lombax as each sank deep into their own thoughts.
For Skyla, time seemed like a wild thing, here one minute, there the next. Too fast, too slow, too in-between. Forever and a day passed before tomorrow arrived, yet Skyla felt like she had just blinked.
The next 24 hours felt surreal to the Lombax. She went about her work as normal, all the while thinking, 'this might be the last time I do this, or see that'. Her eyes flicked all over the place, wanting to drink everything up before they left.
She noticed things she hadn't in a while. The beauty of a Nayala flower. The magnificence of the Crested Azure bird of Paradise. It was almost like the facility didn't want her to leave, so was showing itself off in an effort to get her to stay. In a way, Skyla would miss it. It had been her home for nearly 10 years and housed some of her happiest memories, and for that reason, she loved it. But it had also been her prison and was full to the brim with her nightmares and for that reason, she hated it. She would not be sorry to leave it all behind.
Nevertheless, she took special care in her work that day, making sure she savoured it all. With any luck, she wouldn't be doing it again...ever.
In the evening, Maia and Skyla ate a hearty meal, because from what Marco had said, they'd need the energy. Not to mention it was possibly their last meal for a while. Marco ate separately to them with Jaymz.
Of all the creatures they were leaving behind, Skyla would miss Jaymz the most. From the moment she'd arrived he'd been like an older brother to her, looking out for her and subtly egging her on in his troublemaking. He knew nothing of their plan as Marco had sworn them to secrecy after Skyla had told Maia. Not that it mattered. It would have been wonderful if the fun Rilgarian had been able to come with them, he'd be a great addition to the team and would leap at any chance to punch up a guard or high tail out of this place. But Marco was right in that the stakes were already too high. So it was with a heavy heart that Skyla watched Jaymz as he laughed at a joke told to him by a Kerwanian. She wouldn't be hearing that laugh for a while.
But they would be back for him, and the others, including Professor Xavier and Cornelius. Skyla smiled as she thought of the Peluchian scientists. They'd always been there for her, in their own way, and they too were like family. Cornelius was like her enthusiastic younger cousin and Xavier her eccentric uncle. She'd miss them too. Maybe once they'd escaped, Xavier would be able to get a proper lab, one that he could do anything he wanted in, finally not being held back by Baen's horrible work. He and Cornelius would no doubt become famous with all the inventions they were always coming up with. They'd do splendidly in the outside world.
A nudge in the ribs made Skyla look up. Maia gave her a look and Skyla realised she'd been staring off into space. Giving a small sigh, she scooped another spoonful of stew into her mouth and chewed quietly.
Seconds, minutes, hours ticked by and all too soon, Skyla was getting ready for bed. She made sure to leave all her necessary clothes on her person. She had no possessions to call her own, so that meant she wouldn't have to carry anything about with her.
Lying in bed, she didn't have to fight off sleep as she was too agitated for that. Already, her heart pace had increased in anticipation. One by one, the other slaves got into bed and began dropping off into an easy slumber. Skyla counted in her head as the rustling died down over a series of minutes.
Then, when the last slave was in bed, all was quiet. Skyla blinked, it had begun.
One hour, two hours passed until there were well into the night. Only the light snores and shallow breathing of the slaves could be heard over the quiet of the night. Skyla remained awake, wide eyed and alert, and she knew Maia was in the same state. Even if they wanted to, neither of them could fall asleep, not now.
The Lombax waited patiently for the signal that would mark the commencing of the first step of the operation. Any minute now, Marco had said...
A sudden sneezing from over left and Skyla's ears shot upright. She counted them. 1, 2...3...4 thump.
Quick as she could, Skyla whipped out a mask from under her pillow and strapped it over her face. Lying back down, she breathed normally and waited on the next sign.
A light hissing sound filled the air and she knew the ball had officially been set rolling. From the corner of her eye she saw the air shimmer slightly as a near invisible gas filled the room. Within a minute, the sounds of snoring from the slaves had faded and all was quiet once more.
Something tugged twice at the bottom of her sheet. Slipping out from under her covers, the Lombax climbed down the bunk ladder without a sound. Maia was already up, as was Marco. Both wore masks similar to her own. The Rilgarian beckoned to them.
Their footsteps making no sound upon the ground, the trio crept towards the door. There was only one way in and out the slave quarters, excluding the bathrooms which led nowhere. The single door was locked every night at a specific time and Skyla had heard the click. But Marco had a plan.
Reaching the exit, the Rilgarian drew out a tiny spanner that would have passed scanners unnoticed unless they were looking for it. He immediately set to work on the pane beside the door, where the controls lay (Skyla had seen them before, having tried to hack them herself twice...unsuccessfully).
Marco made a quick job of it and soon enough, the wire system was laid bare.
Skyla watched in fascination as he pulled out several wires, negotiating them with surprising delicacy for one with three fat digits. She wondered where he'd learnt such skills; he obviously hadn't been a slave all his life. The Rilgarian worked in silence for a minute, then two...
There was a tiny spark as two wires connected and a click. The door slid open. Skyla's heart leapt, it had worked!
Marco waited a moment after opening the door, as if listening for something, then he replaced the panel as quickly as possible. Indicating for them to follow he left the quarters. Maia followed after him, but Skyla lingered. She glanced around the quarters she'd slept in for nearly a decade, taking it all in one last time.
An impatient click made her turn to see Marco looking on impatiently. He tapped his wrist. They had a schedule to keep to. With a final farewell glance, Skyla turned away and followed them through the door. They slid shut behind her.
Marco glanced down either end of the corridor before motioning for them to follow. Falling in behind Maia, Skyla tiptoed down the passage with them. There was no turning back now. If they were caught, that would be it - game over.
Every step they took moved them further and further away from safety...and that much closer to freedom.
