Return From Exile

Chapter 3

Chapter 3.

Garen and Conus crouched behind a wide Otay tree, each peering from opposite sides as the Vorcon soldiers advanced on the cabin. Blasters ready, their breath misted in the cool night air. The twin moons cast just enough light to reveal the figures creeping closer.

Conus leaned toward Garen. "Too bad we couldn't reach the vehicle in time," he whispered.

"The vehicle?" Garen's eyes narrowed as he whispered back.

"The one out front," Conus replied, nodding toward the cabin where the vehicle stood.

Garen shook his head. "Yeah," he paused before continuing. "But it wouldn't be a good idea, Taylen."

"Why not?" Conus asked. All he could think about was putting distance between them and the Vorcons, hoping to find safety. "It would've been a good way to lose them, find shelter."

"It'd make us a target. They probably have air support, and it's noisy. The heat signature alone would give us away. Besides, I left the keys inside the cabin."

"Keys?" Conus echoed, surprised.

"Never mind," Garen muttered.

Conus's mind raced, searching for a solution. No matter what had happened, this was still his mission—to bring Garen Rivers back. The best course now seemed to be sticking with the general and following his lead.

"Is there a long-range comms array at the spaceport? There has to be." Conus knew little about Calio Landing, a small, unremarkable port to anyone who didn't live there.

"There is, but we're not going there," Garen said firmly. "I'm not dragging the Vorcons anywhere near Calio Landing."

Their options were dwindling.

"I need to send for backup," Conus insisted, frustration seeping through. Why doesn't he want help? I don't want to be stuck here. Conus had assumed Garen was reluctant to deal with the RDF, but it wasn't that—Garen didn't want to risk the Camerians. It was as simple as that.

If the RDF showed up now, Garen would accept their help without question—if it meant ending this. But that didn't mean he wanted to go back. All he truly wanted was for this to be over, to return to the life he had grown used to. No Colonel Taylen. No Vorcons. Yet, that seemed impossible now. Tonight had set a chain of events in motion that couldn't be undone. He had nothing left to lose.

Garen sighed. "Help's too far. It's just us now, Colonel. You know what the Vorcon Empire did to the Camerians—what state they left them in."

Conus nodded. "I do."

Garen had led two task forces to liberate Calio, the Camerians' homeworld, from the Vorcons. The first mission had failed, but the second succeeded—though the damage was done. The Vorcons had left the planet in ruins, and recovery was still far from complete. Now, many Camerians were scattered across settlements like Calio Landing. Once a unified people, they were now spread thin across the galaxy.

"We need another way," Garen said.

"But won't the Camerians need our help?" Conus asked. The Camerians were known for their peaceful, almost carefree nature—not fighters.

"They'll be fine. They've been attacked before and have taken precautions to protect themselves." Garen turned to Conus, his expression hardening. "Listen, Colonel, we have to take them out." He gestured toward the four Vorcons nearing the cabin.

"We're attacking?" Conus asked, his gaze flicking toward the Vorcons. He had assumed they'd make a run for it.

"We can't let them follow us, and we can't stay here. They killed your team, Colonel," Garen said coldly. He hated it—this place had been his peace, his home. Now, two marines lay dead on his land. A wave of cold detachment washed over him, but it still didn't feel right. It all feels pointless.