Chapter 49

Nine

A dull pounding in my head causes me to wake in a spacious bed with red sheets that I know all too well. "You're awake!" I turn my head slightly to the right and see Talia dressed in a flowing green bathrobe with Nymeria by her side.

I sit up, intending to go to her but am held in place by restraints on my wrists and legs. "I'm all for have a good time Talia but bondage isn't really my thing…"

Talia laughs and with a snap of her fingers makes the restraints disappear. "Do you do this to all the guys you tranquilize?" I ask putting an edge into my words. Talia leans forward and bends her head to my ear.

"Only the naughty ones" She whispers with a mischievous grin. When I don't smile in response, her grin slides away and is replaced with a look of concern.

"I'm sorry my men had to resort to that but Eight forced our hand."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm afraid…I haven't been completely honest with you" She replies hesitantly. I motion for her to keep going and she takes my hand before continuing. "Hannibal thought if you knew the specifics of what you were stealing the team would have hesitated."

"What were we stealing from the vault?" I ask concerned as to what the answer will be.

"Weaponized viruses created during the Cold War."

"Why?"

"For Project Astral." I'm about to ask another question but Talia places her index finger against my lips before I can. "I could try to explain the whole thing but its better if I show you instead."

Talia waves her hand towards the flat screen on the wall which blurs to life and shows an image of a Loric ship hovering above Washington D.C.

"Attempts to make contact with the alien craft have been unsuccessful and as the deadline for their ultimatum draws closer many citizens are demanding immediate action from the government. While the White House has yet to make a statement, senior military advisors have stated that they are fully prepared in the event that the Loric or alleged Mogadorians become hostile"

"Talia…" I mutter in complete shock. "What have you done?"

"We've simply expanded the world's mind by showing the humans that they aren't so alone in this universe after all."

"But why?"

For a second, there's a flash of anger in Talia's eyes but it disappears almost as soon as it comes.

"Because the time has come for us to reveal ourselves to the world rather than hiding in the shadows. The weapons we stole are just a distraction to make the humans think we might use them. Once the final stage of Project Astral concludes we won't need viral weapons to make the humans listen to us."

I study Talia thoughtful as I reflect on what she's told me. "What is Project Astral? You're always going on about it but never tell me anything about it. Don't you trust me?"

Talia grows silent before placing her hands on my head and closing her eyes. "Have you ever heard of something called a fire sale?"

"Like when a store is selling all their stuff for ridiculously low prices?"

"Not that one!" Talia says with a wave of her hand. "Like with computers."

"Never heard of it."

Sighing loudly, Talia gestures to the TV and an image of the world from space appears on the screen. "Everything in the world today is controlled by a computer" she lectures. "Meaning anyone who controls a country's computer system controls the country. Are you following me so far?"

I grunt and try to pay attention. "A fire sale is a complete and total disruption of a nation's infrastructure. Starting with the transportation system." The television has now images of traffic jams, car accidents, trains stopping, and dozens of planes lying motionless at an airport.

"Followed by the financial system…" The TV now shows images of stockbrokers arguing on Wall Street and hundreds of people waiting outside banks.

"And ending with all utilities from electricity to satellites being shut down." The screen changes to images of different cities losing power and satellites hurtling to Earth.

"That's it!" I exclaim in disbelief. "Your plan to beat the Mogs is to shut down all the power in a country?!"

"Not at all" Talia replies with a smirk. "My fire sale is just the beginning. And it isn't just one country, it's going to be all of them. Simultaneously."

"What?"

"That's right. The humans are already panicking about our ship in DC and the first two stages are already in place. Once I shut down every electronic system in the world, the humans will completely lose it."

"The Mogs will see it as an opportunity to attack and then we will step forward and destroy them with our combined forces"

"But why? Why go through all this trouble?" I ask still not seeing the point.

"Because the humans will see us as their saviors. We'll be heroes to them and gain their acceptance. And having complete control over the world's technology will place us in a position of absolute power. Anything we want will be open for negotiation."

Thinking it over it all, it's starting to make sense. "What if the humans find out what you've done?"

"Ha!" She snorts dismissively. "We're light-years ahead of any tech the humans have and even if they suspect, we'll just blame the Mogs since they'll all be dead and unable to say anything to the contrary."

"And what if the humans resist your negotiations?"

"Oh I have a solution for that too."

"Which is….?"

She smiles confidently, and runs her hand across my face. "I'll have you persuade them. I'd imagine your new appearance would unsettle them greatly."

"Huh?"

Talia summons a mirror and holds it up to show my eyes have retained their liquid gold color.

"Christ! Is this permanent?"

"It is a side effect from absorbing vast quantities of energy. The color differs from Garde to Garde as you can see with my eyes. But if it bothers you, I have a spell that can disguise the color to what is was before."

I look at the mirror again and turn my head slightly to get a different angle. "What to do think?"

"Honestly?" She wraps her arms around me from behind and pulls me close. "I think it makes you look rather regal."

"And dashing" She adds with a gentle kiss.

"In that case I'll have to keep it."

"Good. Now hurry up!" She says, rising from the bed. "We have a briefing to prepare for."

I groan and sink my head back into the pillows. "I don't want to go to a briefing. Besides, you owe me one for the tranquilizer."

"I'll make it up to you…" she whispers suggestively before disappearing into the bathroom. I wait ten seconds before shaking my head with a curse and following her in.

Seven

"Marina!" I turn in dread to see Sister Dora gliding down the hall of Santa Theresa with her trusty paddle in hand. "Come with me" she demands while twisting my wrist painfully."

"What's going on?" I ask trying to pull away from my old nemesis.

"You must be punished" she replies curtly before delivering a painful whack to my rear.

"Did you really think we wouldn't find out that you aren't human?" Terror sizes my heart as my worst fear becomes reality before my eyes.

"Did you think that you could fool the Good Lord with your demonic sorcery? The Church will decide your fate and that for the rest of your kind" Sister Dora announces triumphantly before pushing me into a small closet.

I try to fight back but now Sister Dora's face has changed to that of Setrakus Ra. "We will scourge the universe of the Loric and build a new Mogadore on Earth!" Grinning with pure malevolence the creature slams the door, leaving me in complete darkness.

I pound on the door and yell for help but no one comes. "Adelina! Adelina! We have to leave! The Sisters know what we are!"

Silence is the only reply I receive. "Please Adelina! I need you!"

"Terrifying isn't it" I whirl around and see Talia standing in the corner of my makeshift cell with a flame in her hand.

"I'll never understand why so many humans put their faith in an invisible god that would allow a place like this to exist." As she speaks memories of the insults and abuses I suffered at Santa Theresa flash through my mind.

Dishes, chores, beatings for punishments I didn't know existed, being ostracized by the other girls, and most of all Adelina turning a blind eye to my suffering.

"What are you doing in my dreams Five?" I ask through blurred tears and gritted teeth. Talia wipes my tears away with her hand sits down beside me. "I did not mean to intrude. I only want to talk."

"Really" I reply in mock amazement. "What do you want to talk about Talia? Maybe how you knocked me unconscious or what you did to John and Sam?"

Talia blinks in surprise at my tone but doesn't back away. "I want to talk about saving the world." Her words catch me off-guard and I turn to my side so we can speak eye to eye.

"If the humans had their way, this is the fate that would befall all of us. We would be locked away, experimented on, treated like animals."

"You don't know that for sure" I reply, compelled to defend the humans.

Talia pauses a moment to consider it. "You sound very confident."

"There is goodness in humans. My friend Hector, Sarah, Malcom, Sam, and our trainers in case you've forgotten."

"You're right" she says to my surprise. "But can you say the same for Sister Dora or the girls who lived at Santa Theresa with you? What about the rest of the world? Do you think they would all treat us with the same kindness?" When I don't respond, she pauses a moment before continuing.

"It's in their nature, I suppose. Humans have always feared what they don't understand. And that fear constantly turn to hatred. That is why so many of their governments have turned to the Mogadorians for help. Against us."

She pauses for brief moment as if she's waiting to see my reaction. "So how are we supposed to save the world?" I ask, curious as to what Talia is planning.

"By building a new Lorien on Earth."

Talia stands up uses her power of illusions to conjure a globe. "This planet is ruled by petty men who believe in even pettier politics. When their citizens aren't busy destroying the planet with pollution, they're slaughtering one another over the lowest of reasons."

I stare at the globe, my eyes hovering over Spain. "So what are you going to do?"

Talia gazes at her globe as a light flickers in her eyes. "Change the balance of power."

"Once the war is over, the people of Earth will be looking a strong hand to help them rebuild their war-torn planet. We can be that tool of change."

She turns back to me with a serious tone. "We are going to lead the humans into the future Marina. Great members of the Loric have done it before and now it's our turn."

"Once the Mogs are permanently expelled from the cosmos we will split the world amongst ourselves and unite the humans as one race. There will be no more countries, borders, or petty squabbles. Just us and our word for the rest of time."

She take my hands and makes an ornate crown decorated with rubies and emeralds appear before my eyes. "A better world is ours for the taking. You and Eight can have any nation you want and with our magic, we'll be the most powerful sister queens who ever lived."

I look at the crown stunned. The thought of being a queen and leading the world beside my friends has left my head spinning. The prospects of ruling terrify me but as I look at the crown, the thought that Queen Marina of France or Spain has a nice ring to it crosses my mind.

Sensing my trepidation at accepting, Talia smiles gently and makes the crown vanish. "You can sleep on it if you'd like. But first we must have a meeting to discuss our war effort. Faora will show you the way.

The dream rapidly fades away and I wake to see Eight, Ella, their Chimeras, Crayton, and Faora hovering over my bed.

"Marina!" Ella rushes to my side and hugs me fiercely. A look of relief appears on Eight's face as he takes my hand and gives it a light squeeze.

"Five said that you'd wake up!"

"Did she?" I look at Crayton and Eight wondering what Talia has told them. "Yeah" Ella continues. "She also said she was going to make me a princess and we were going to kill all the Mogs!"

"Did she say how?" I ask Ella who shakes her head vigorously. "No but she told me to that we would have a meeting about it after you woke up."

I look down at Faora who purrs softly. I'm ready to lead the way whenever you are ready. I sit up in my bed and smile at Ella.

"Ok. But could I have a minute alone with Eight first? We have a few things we need to talk about."

"Sure Mar." Ella replies happily. Crayton asks if I'm alright and follows her out after I tell him not to worry.

"Five appeared in my dream" I tell Eight as soon as they leave. He nods his head slowly. "She came to me too."

"What did she say?"

"She told me that what happened was unfortunate and apologized, but said it necessary for her grand plan which she has promised to reveal to all of us."

He sits down beside me and looks down. "She said that we can rebuild Lorien here and that I could have any county or countries I wanted as my own."

"Anything else?"

"That we would appear like demigods to them and the humans can't be trusted with this planet anymore."

"She said that?"

When he nods his head, I sit back in shock but am floored by what he says next.

"She's not entirely wrong you know" Eight adds in a practical whisper.

"What!?" I practically shout, hardly believing what I just heard.

"Think about it" he continues. "So many people are working with the Mogs and they've caused us no small bit of grief themselves."

I pull my hand away from his and cross my arms "Where is this coming from?"

For a second Eight looks pained but he keeps going. "Reynolds died because a human sold us out for a bag of gold. The Mogs found us in India because the Lord's Resistance Army helped them find us and kill Crayton. And let's not forget the fact that that woman from the FBI who's been chasing us around the last few months. If we took control we wouldn't have to live in fear or hide from anyone. "

As he talks, doubts begin swirling in my mind. What if Five is right? Can we beat the Mogs on our own? Can we trust the humans?

"What do you want to do?"

Eight takes my hand again and looks into my eyes "I think we should listen to what Five has to say and then decide what we're going to do. I'll let you get dressed."

As he heads to the door I call out to him. "Do you want to be a king Eight?"

He pauses at the door and turns around. "Only if you're willing to be my queen."

With that, he steps out of the door and leaves me alone with my thoughts.

Six

"John!" For the fifth time in a row I try shaking John awake but my efforts are once again in vain. "Four!" Still no response.

"Let me try" Sam volunteers, taking hold of my unconscious boyfriend. "Dude! The Mogs are coming! We need your help! WAKE UP!" After trying several more times, Sam sets John down and sighs.

"This is impossible. It's like trying to wake up a corpse."

With my frustration only growing, I march over to John and lightly smack his face a few times. If anything, this only causes him to snore louder. Finally surrendering, I sit down and look around my room and makeshift cell. After waking up here with Sam and John, I discovered a locked door and my Legacies unavailable.

Giving up on John, I concentrate all of my energy on the door and push, hoping for a telekinetic blast. To my amazement, the door opens but swings open to reveal Five.

"What the hell did you do to him?" I demand once I get over my shock.

"I can explain" she says apologetically. I glare in response. "Go on."

"Walk with me."

"Please?" She adds when neither of us follows. Deciding to give Five the benefit of the doubt, I fall in beside her with Sam on my right.

"I'm sorry my Ishphenni had to resort to such means to bring the two of you back" she apologizes.

"They were concerned that what you saw might have jeopardized the mission and had to incapacitate you."

"And what exactly did we see?" Sam demands.

"You saw an experimental weapons factory. Six on the other hand uploaded a virus onto the Mogadorian mainframe that allowed us to commander some of their ships."

"But why knock us out?" I ask.

Talia looks down as if ashamed "We were concerned that you might have accidently interfered in the larger plan."

"I don't understand."

Five sighs. "I can't tell you everything right now but you'll understand it all soon."

"What about John?" I ask when we arrive at the elevator.

"Right now John is resting so his Legacies will be prepared for the final stage of the war. According to his Cepan, Pittacus still has things to show him. While he trains, we must prepare our own forces. I had to keep him in a state of rest because his final Legacies must finish developing before we can proceed."

I feel a portion of my anger disappearing as I realize Five had good intentions in mind but I am not fully persuaded. "Then why didn't you say anything! We're supposed to trust each other."

"And I'm sorry I had to be so secretive but you weren't ready to hear the whole plan until today. Can the two of you find in your hearts to forgive me for what I did?"

"What plan?" I ask as the elevator arrives at our location.

"Our plan to take back the galaxy and remold the world as we see fit." Hannibal replies from across the room.

Flags with the seal of the Loric Elders cover two of the walls and are lined with both android soldiers and clones. In the center of the room is a large round table where all the other members of the Garde are seated along with Adam and the Cepans while flat screen TVs with every conceivable news station in the world completely cover the wall.

Rising from his seat, Hannibal gestures towards three empty seats and smiles. "Please join us. The show is about to begin."