Paragon

Chapter 6:

The little plane descended through the clouds. I turned around in the copilot's seat to look back at the others. Mahlika was attempting to start a conversation with Titan, who sat beside her. She didn't appear to be having much luck. Weska and Nikara sat across from them, studying pictures of our destination, a hotel in the world capital of Calpernica.

"We're going to reach the city in five minutes." Delta said from the pilot's seat. "You might want to looked out the windows soon."

"We've seen New York City before." Weska said. "At least, Nikara and I have. It can't be more impressive than that."

"You'd be surprised."

"Calpernica was built just fifteen years ago." Nikara said. "It was designed by the leading architects from all over the world as a new capital which would showcase the power of the new government. It's self sustaining, gets its water from the ocean and its electricity from solar and turbines. It's a miracle of science."

"Very good." Delta said.

My phone buzzed. I took it out and answered the call. It was Jinx.

"Hello, darling." She said. "How's your flight so far?"

"Have you hit your head?" I asked. "You hate me."

"Impolite as always. Listen, do you have your makeup cases?"

"Of course."

"Good. Make sure Mahlika does the work. The rest of you are hopeless."

"I know this." I said. "What's the real reason you're calling?"

She hesitated. "We're going to be in the hotel across the street from yours. Xavier and I, that is. Tell Michael. Xavier won't let me call him. I need to run." She hung up.

"Xavier and Jinx are going to be in the hotel across the street." I said.

"What?" Delta asked. "Why didn't she tell me herself?"

"He won't let her call."

"Of course. Thanks for telling me."

"That's it?" Weska asked. "Your wife is having an affair and is possibly being held hostage and you don't even react?"

"Since when do you care about my personal business?" He adjusted a lever above him. "You hate Jinx and I."

"That doesn't mean I'm not curious."

"Mr. Cane seemed so nice." Mahlika said.

"Psychopaths usually are." Nikara replied.

"What do you say, big guy?" Weska looked up at Titan.

"I have no opinion either way." He replied.

"Liar."

"Alright." He conceded. "He is a psychopath."

"Wait, you have free will?" I asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" He glared at me.

"I dunno. You've barely spoken for the last four days. I just sort of assumed-"

"The rest of the Capricorns don't. I do, since I'm the new controller."

"What happened to the old one?" Weska asked.

It was Delta who replied.

"He had the brilliant idea of staging a revolt." He said. "He's in the Aqua Cage now."