I’ve never seen them like this. The amount of control Slain has gained is insurmountable, and the fact that he left his sentinel force back on our planet is further proof of his belief in the idea that he can win this alone.
When the mothership lowers, the floor opens. A green light shoots out of the center. Slain steps toward the edge, gazing down.
“You first,” he says, throwing them inside the light.
They beam down onto the desert floor, back in the double-sunned hellscape we ought to have destroyed long ago.
Lök’s plan was strong, but ultimately flawed. He didn’t prepare for Slain’s transformation.
Neither did I.
Slain groans. “I feel weak,” he mutters.
Exhaling, I lean my head against the wall and hope he continues to weaken.
Just as Slain is about to jump, he sniffs the air. “Hm,” he whispers, glancing in my direction.
I duck behind a large beam and hold my breath.
Please, just let me have this one chance at finding justice.
Luckily, his instinct doesn’t lead him to look any further. He vanishes into the green light, feet hitting the ground below.
They won’t find the Resnyx there. I’m sure it has been stolen by Akron and the slaves. They better have a fucking plan.
I am transforming too. Growing weaker by the minute. The more time I spend without the Resnyx, the more I feel myself losing grip on reality.
Every breath taken in is rife with pain. I can barely get to the control panel.
All in all, I’m not having a good day.
When I step into the captain’s chair, the control panel lights up. The wide glass window displays a large mapping system. I hit a red button, and the screen switches graphics.
The computer speaks: “Defense mode, activated.”
“Active turrets,” I say.
“Turrets activated and armed,” it replies.
I close my eyes. A strange emotion washes over me. It feels like… destiny.
“Computer, arm the thermonuclear detonation and apply a timer of two hours,” I say.
The display screen illuminates a large bomb, a starfisher, otherwise known as a planet destroyer.
Computer: “Are you sure?”
I take another deep breath and remember the last time Emma and I kissed. I told her I would do anything for her. Now that I’m here, fighting for my own survival, I realize my life is of no importance.
I have a duty to take down Slain, and if destroying Ferän is the only way to get there, I’m willing to sacrifice myself for the greater good.
All things happen for a reason.
“Arm the starfisher,” I demand.
“Arming,” the computer says. “Countdown begins. Sixty minutes remains.”
I roll out of the chair, stumbling toward the green light. In about an hour, the entire planet will turn to rubble, offsetting Slain’s only path toward victory. Together, we will all die.