To all my readers: I am SO sorry that I have not updated in so long. I have not been that busy, I updated my other story, so we know that isn't the case. Truth is, I just got bored with this story. I was seriously unmotivated. But I do not leave my stories unfinished, so you don't have to worry. It may take me a while, but I WILL finish anything I write. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, it was really what the entire plot was leading up to. Let me know what you think!
The Impercipient
Chapter 10: With meet tranquility
Rhade sighed and paced before the doorway, wishing he could vent all the nervous energy within him. He had just spoken to Dylan, informing him that the rebels would be in position within the hour. They were almost ready to spring their attack.
He paused long enough to turn and look inside the chamber generally used to heal patients. Elena sat on one of the makeshift beds, the small child Pastin in her lap as she told her a story. Every person within the confines of slavery on Taher seemed to gravitate to Elena. The woman always has a smile ready for them and thought little of herself when she saw another in pain.
Rhade smiled as Pastin giggled and threw her arms around Elena. Her compassion for others amazed him at times. In fact, he knew it was what had endeared her to him in the first place.
He was a Nietzschean, schooled in keeping his emotions from displaying for all to see. Yet Elena had affected him in a way he had not predicted. She had touched him to a degree he did not anticipate. Yet he was not sad that she had-he welcomed it.
Pastin looked to the doorway and grinned when she saw him. She leapt from Elena's arms and ran across the expanse to launch herself at him. "Come play Rhade!" she cried, squealing when he tossed her in the air. It had not taken much for the little girl to worm her way into his heart either.
He walked over and sat down next to Elena, swinging Pastin in his arms as he went. She giggled happily when he threw her the short distance to Elena. Elena laughed and hugged the girl to her, smiling at Rhade. She leaned unconsciously against Rhade as Pastin settled down, tired from her games.
Trance passed away from the door, deep sadness dragging her down. She fervently wished that there was another way for events to play out, but she knew like no other that there was only one way. The pain was unavoidable. She tore her eyes from the make-shift family before her and left silently.
-I-I-I-
Tenree's eyes hardened further as she listened to the reports from her guards. "What?" she questioned, her eyes narrowing.
The guard nodded. "It is true, Sunev has either betrayed us, or he is not who he appears to be. We have knowledge of him helping to stage a riot from the inside, as some allies of his organize rebels from the outside. They plan to free the slaves."
Tenree slammed her hands on her desk. "Blast him to the Magog! We will need to deal with him now."
A loud explosion rocked the room they sat in, sending many of the occupants to the floor. Screams erupted from outside and the sound of fighting filtered through the window. Tenree jumped to her feet and rushed to the window, surveying the chaos on the streets outside.
"The fight has already begun. Send half your guards to help suppress those outside. Send the other half with me to make sure the slaves don't get any ideas. I will go and deal with Sunev." She stalked out of the room, taking her gun into hand as she resolved to kill the one masquerading as Sunev.
-I-I-I-
Rhade shouted orders as he ran down the corridor, shooting behind him. Cries of pain reached his ears, alerting him that he had killed the guards that had infiltrated the slaves' area. All around him, slaves were starting their revolt, taking down guards where they could. From what he could hear, Dylan had started the attack with the rebels right on time.
Seeing no immediate threat, he quickly made his way back to the area that was being used for the infirmary. He ducked inside, frequently throwing glances into the corridor. Elena was darting around the room, doing what she could to heal. Rhade had forbidden her to help anyone that would result in serious injury to herself. She had argued with him, but he was firm. She was needed to help the slaves after the fight was over with, she would be someone that they would look to. What was more, he couldn't stand the thought of her dying.
A large barrage of fire to his right brought his attention round. Standing in the hallway was Tenree with several guards. She narrowed her eyes at him. "You are not Sunev. I assume you killed him, but it is no matter. Your death is now."
She raised her blaster, the guards around her doing the same. Rhade reacted and raised his own weapon, firing as he dove into the doorway. Fire rained around him as walls blew up. Many of the slaves returned fire and the silence that grew after the volley attested to the fact that Tenree and her guards were dead. Rhade had enough time to register this before the pain hit him full force.
Elena ran to where Rhade was lying, her heart in her throat. He was on his stomach, dirt and dust covering him. Isret entered the room with some of the other slaves. "We've won!" he cried, but stopped short of celebrating once he saw Elena crouched over the Nietzschean.
Elena looked up at him. "Help me turn him over!" Isret dropped to his knees and carefully turned Rhade over onto his back. Elena cried out and Trance hurried over, drawn by her cry.
Elena bit her lip as she finally saw the extent of Rhade's injury. A blast had caught him in the stomach and was bleeding profusely. It was an injury that few could survive, not even a Nietzschean.
Rhade blearily looked up at them, only aware of the pain. He saw Elena's face above him. She was trying to tell him something, but he could not hear her above the roar in his ears. She had tears in her eyes. All he knew was that he didn't want her to cry.
Trance pulled away the remains of the shirt that Rhade wore to fully examine the wound. She looked up at Elena and Isret and shook her head. "There is nothing I could do that would save him."
Elena stared at the woman, disbelieving. And in that split second, she made up her mind. "Maybe not. But I can do something." She pushed Trance aside and leaned over Rhade's form. One hand rested on his forehead, while the other hovered over the wound.
"Elena!" protested Isret, knowing full well what Rhade would say in that instance. But Trance hushed him and pulled him to the side, allowing Elena space. The room was silent as everyone watched the woman they had come to love try to save the man that had given her hope. Outside, cheering was heard in celebration, and a procession of sorts was making their way toward the slaves. But for now, time stood still.
Elena closed her eyes and concentrated on Rhade, the feel of his skin beneath her hands. Gradually, the pain began to rip through her, the skin across her abdomen split apart and blood began to stain the dirtied white dress she always wore. She bit her lip to keep from crying out as the pain grew intense. Her hands began to shake, but she kept her concentration, knowing she could not stop now. Rhade groaned and tears leaked from her eyes. She refused to let him die.
The pain was almost too much for her to bear. But then she knew it was over when she felt his emotions overwhelm her. There was fear and anger deep within him. But at the forefront was the strongest feeling he held, love for her. Elena sobbed. He had not only given her hope, but he had given her his love as well.
Elena opened her eyes. Rhade opened his only a moment later. He gasped and sat up, looking down at his stomach to see no wound. He looked to Elena. She glanced down to see the red staining her hands and her abdomen. She looked up and locked eyes with Rhade before collapsing backwards.
-I-I-I-
TBC
-I-I-I-
ducks Don't kill me! I know that was a really mean place to leave it, but I just had to. Believe it or not, the chapter titles are what inspired me to do that. Yeah. Blame the poem. Anyway, I know I probably don't deserve it, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave me some feedback. Even if you want to yell at me for the cliffhanger, go ahead! I won't leave you hanging that long... at least I hope I won't. So feedback please! Thanks for reading and sticking with me!