The Book of Gemma VOL. 2

27: TAKE A DEEP BREATH

A few days had gone by and I found myself sitting at the end of the long wooden table at the compound. Each Zodiac sat along with Deecon and my father, their voices trying to overpower one another as we discussed our plan.

My father grabbing all of their attentions,

"Vyx must know we have all left by now, she will retaliate soon for our behavior and we must be ready."

Leo points his finger to the map that leads to Veedu, "Then why don't we beat her clock and retaliate with our soldiers for her last attack?"

Pisces rolls her eyes and leans back in her chair, "Brilliant idea Leo, how shall we get the humans to Veedu? Not to mention the hybrid army she has created. The same army she started building fleets to travel here."

Cane interrupts, "She had just begun production of those ships a week before our departure, she has the earliest of a year out until she can transport them."

I lean over the table to Cane, "Her hybrids can't travel through space without ships?"

Deecon raises his hand, "I'm a hybrid, I can only hold my breath for five hours and thirty six minutes."

Cane nods his head to him, "Precisely."

Sage taps Aqua's thigh for her to get off his lap, he points to Sky on the map, "Can we not beat her to the punch and make ships for our own fleet? Take the battle to her!"

Leo points to him, "Yes!"

I put my foot down, "Absolutely not! Our human soldiers are trained to defend Sky, not a death sentence once their feet land on Veedu."

Kyto politely interrupts me, "And there are Starzithians on Veedu who only follow her rule out of fear.. Innocent Starzithians who could be persuaded to join our rebel if they knew they had a chance to escape her."

Leo grumbles as he plops himself back into his chair, "Then what shall we do, Gemini? Sit on our arse and wait for death as well?"

I go to reply but no words leave my mouth, for once I had no plan. I hadn't thought this far, I assumed a plan would come to my mind since my arrival. Have I just pushed the thought back that we might lose this war? I accepted my fate when I was dead for those ten years here, hoping for the best that my friends and family had found a way. I was their leader and I sat there silent. My heart begins to race as all their eyes turn to me, my hands begin to shake as reality comes crashing into me yet again.

Deecon clears his throat, "Of course Gemini will think of something, she is our Leader. Give her time instead of throwing ridiculous ones her way and blocking her thoughts."

Deecon stares down the table to my direction, a small smile as he saves me yet again.

After Deecon's remark, the Zodiacs begin throwing more ideas at each other. Arguing as they try to compete in volume with one another. I skid my chair back and race to the front door, I need to be outside. I cannot let them see me crumble as the weight of the planets lay on my shoulders again. I now feel the pressure and weight of it all making my legs wobble. They didn't even notice my departure as I closed the door behind me, I sprint down the steps and slam my body against the side of the building. I lean forward and rest my hands on my knees, my head spinning. Clicks of steps hit the stone steps and I brace myself against the wall, I didn't want anyone to see me crumble.

But it was Kyto, he follows the unhinged emotions I am radiating and approaches slowly. I bury my face into my hands, "Please do not try to save me with your pep talks." I mumble into my hands. I hear him get closer and he pulls me into his chest, rubbing my upper back.

I break down in his arms, my tearless sob as I whimper into his chest.

"I don't know what to do father. They are all counting on me, every zodiac and human in this system is counting on me... and-..and I don't know where to start."