Unbroken Curiosity

Chapter 14: The Green Night

Captain Sivian Cox

"One." The robot seemed oblivious. The Unbroken Curiosity shot into FTL as the bullet left Navigator Burke's gun. Then, the world slowed down as the ship entered the In-Between Space. Cox saw the bullet; a ball of white-hot metal, flying towards Cobalt. He saw the mutineers reaching for their weapons. He saw Reece, still in motion, trying to shield her lover.

Then, without warning, time resumed.

There was a slight gasp as the bullet hit Reece in the back. The leader of Grisom Company slumped against the captain's chair. Her eyes met Cobalt's before her body collapsed to the ground. The lord had a shocked expression that turned to anger a moment later. The words he uttered were like a crack from a whip. "Mundus Turris."

Before Cox could blink, Navigator Burke was gone. He stared at her workstation in disbelief. Burke, you fool...

"No!" Lady Lillias shouted. "How could you? Have you any idea what you have done?"

"Do not presume to judge me, Lillias!" Cobalt spat. "I know that you have used that spell before. Poor Finnick did not deserve it. Neither did Joshua..." The last words were uttered in a bitter tone.

"Fuck you," Lillias replied. She was holding back, Cox noted—every fibre of his being wanted to rip Cobalt's head off. Cox was no Primal, but he knew of the spell and what became of people imprisoned in a World Spire. Burke did not deserve that... Cox wanted to say something... do something... But Donny's words kept him at bay. Wait for the Green Light... Whatever that meant... Wait for it...

With his voice a bit shaky, Cobalt snapped at A.E.U. "Where are we?"

"Near. Sanctuary..." The robot turned to face Lord Cobalt for the first time since the bridge was taken. "There. Is. One. Slight. Problem."

"What?" Cobalt said irritably. He turned to Reece. His eyes met hers... Her lifeless eyes... staring back at him.

"We. Have. Jumped. Into. The. Future. By. Two. Weeks."

Cobalt shook his head. "Two weeks? That is no problem." He sighed. "It would have taken us two weeks with or without the Black Hole. At least now, no one knows we are coming." He turned towards the artifact. "Soon..." he mumbled. "Take us to Sanctuary..."

The robot nodded, and the ship entered FTL.

Commander Wroth, the Head Collector

By my ancestors, I swear...Wroth prayed. He was at a loss for words. Long ago, he prayed his last prayer to his forefathers... Warriors of legend that brought peace to Magnavar centuries ago. Their bones now rested in the Hall of Elders, a place where his bones would never be welcomed. By my ancestors, I swear to serve the good of my people. To not harm the people of Magnavar. To slay only those who are deemed worthy opponents... To kill with honour. To kill with a cause...

The Oath of the Ancients was something his people followed to the letter. There was a reason he was out here. When they named him the Head Collector, Wroth broke his oath. He killed without cause and without honour. He killed because he liked it. War brought out the worst parts of him, and in the end, he was exiled... Never to return to Magnavar.

Wroth took a deep breath. The world around him seemed to stand still for but a moment. Then there was chaos. The echoes of gunfire came from the Mess. Moments later, the mutineers who were guarding the doorway closest to him hurried by, oblivious to his presence. Well done, Serano. Wroth grinned and stepped from the shadow. Slowly, he made his way to the Mess.