Alpha Centauri

Twenty-Four - Julian

In my last few seconds of consciousness, all I can see is the bloodthirsty expression of an alien as it slams Nizami and me to the ground.

I don't know how long it's been since I was knocked out. The impact clearly only knocked me out, because when I open my eyes, I get a front row seat of Nizami's ass-kicking. The battle is still raging.

Nizami drives her sword through a soldier's chest and hauls me to my feet. She grabs my hand, hers slathered in blue blood, and she runs through the warehouse as I stumble along behind her.

I use the best of my ability to throw enemies out of our way, but my power is draining as exhaustion takes over my system. The moth-eaten door is jammed, so Nizami kicks it off of its hinges. The morning sun is just peeking over the horizon, the gray twilight mixing in with the pink and orange.

My exhaustion has inevitably caught up with me. I pant and wheeze as Nizami and I race back to Amsterdam. I take her hand, and I'm not letting go until we reach safety.

We make it to the outskirts of town when we realize the aliens weren't even chasing us. They just let us go. It's suspicious, but I'm too tired to mull it over. I stop and double over, catching my breath. I meander over to a wooden bench and collapse onto it. Nizami takes a tentative seat next to me. She's not as winded as I am, having trained for this. I lean my head against her shoulder and try to piece together a coherent sentence, but mind is just as tired as my body.

"That was some kick-ass fighting," I finally say.

"Thank you," she says, though it's more of a question.

"What now?" I ask, sort of closing my eyes.

Nizami is silent. I can almost hear the gears turning in her head.

"We have no way of returning," she says, staring at something across the street, "unless we find my ship."

I know we're in a rough situation, but all I can think of doing now is sleeping.

"You should rest," Nizami says. "I'll remain awake and wake you if anything is to happen."

She barely has the last words out before I pass out on her shoulder.

When I open my eyes I'm lying on cool metal surface. I try to get up and move about, but my hands are secured behind my back.

I see my sister in the center of the room. She's chained to the floor. Jaden struggles to get free. I can tell she's been trying to get free for a while; I can see bruises and cuts from the cuffs on her wrists. But she doesn't let up. I want to call out to her and tell her that's it's no use.

I try to stand. I can't, no matter how hard I try. I'm stuck lying on my side with my hands literally tied.

A figure appears in the room. Even though my vision is sideways, I'd recognize him anywhere: the commander. Jaden yanks on her chains even more, but she's trapped.

And so am I.

The Commander stops in front of Jaden and pulls out a gun. He turns it over in his hands as he chuckles. "It's over now, little princess. Even your brother won't be able to save you this time."

He aims the gun and Jaden's heart. Jaden looks at me with frantic eyes, pleading me to do something. But I can't. I try to call out to her, to tell her anything, but no words come out. I've never seen her like this. I've never seen my sister afraid.

I can't see through his mask, but I know his eyes are glinting maniacally. His finger inches over the trigger.

Jaden doesn't break eye contact with me. I can't, I mouth. I'm sorry.