Bond of Hatred

Chapter 6- Riot

Zeera slept with one eye open that night. In the morning she was escorted out of her cell and was transported onto a ship along with two other people. Josan Hidel and Daral Mjol, or as he was popularly called, 'The Dark Historian'. Mjol was a Yahkra by birth but his great grandfather was Solidarian, which was why he was gifted and had a brilliant mind ever since he was born.

Mjol was both one of the galaxy's leading archaeologists and public enemy number 4 for the Yakhras. He was obsessed with the history of the universe and the knowledge he had obtained made him an enormous threat. He was known for causing wars on many planets, especially his own, by disproving existing facts and claims to thrones, and constantly incited people to revolt, which caused existing monarchies to crumble and fall. He then stole whatever information he needed from the ashes of that system and left the country and/or planet broken and corrupted.

The IAWYH had finally apprehended him 24 years ever since his bounty was released and, much to the disappointment of the people, he was not sentenced to death for being indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions of people across the galaxy. Instead he was sentenced to serve life behind bars until his death on the planet Njordik, also known as the Frost Planet.

The planet was intensely cold and had been stuck in a constant blizzard ever since its inception. Its hostile condition made it a perfect location for the IAWYH to send their most dangerous criminals to serve time. The planet was completely inhospitable, and even if prisoners managed to escape they would instantly freeze to death the moment they stepped outside the prison. There were ships that were docked at the planet but they were intensely guarded and only the warden knew the password for opening the doors to the ships.

None of the three prisoners felt very chatty at the moment. Hidel was composed and that alerted Zeera. When the two of them were being escorted from Solidro he was crying like a baby but now he was completely calm and collected. She knew she had to get to the bottom of this so she pretended to make fun of him.

"What's wrong Hidel? Did you exhaust your tear ducts when we were arrested?"

"I already know what you're trying to attempt Miss Neféloma. I was merely putting on an act. Did you really think that I would be so dumb as to not have a backup plan in case I was captured? Now these guards think that I am a pathetic little man who wants to go back to his mommy when in reality they are all pawns to me and have already served their purpose. Their underestimation will be quite useful for my escape."

Mjol was now interested as well and deciding to join the conversation.

"Ingenious Mr. Hidel. This carrier that we are in right now is almost completely sound proof and no guards have been placed back here with us for their own safety of transporting maximum security prisoners. You must have anticipated this day for quite some time."

Josan seemed pleased while Zeera just rolled her eyes.

"I did my homework Mr. Mjol."

"What really interests me is you, Miss Neféloma. I found out from the guards while I was detained on Killoro that you willingly let yourself get arrested. You could have simply escaped after providing the IAWYH the incriminating documents against Mr. Hidel."

"I see that no details escape your mind. It's true. I had to get myself arrested so that I would have a chance to offer you a proposal."

Mjol's eyebrows slowly shot up and a grin appeared on his face. He thought that she was attempting to make a joke. She wasn't. After seeing the seriousness in her eyes he couldn't help but laugh. Hidel was not interested at all and he silently prayed to his gods.

"All right I'll humour you. What is your proposal?"

"My associates and I have located the lost city of Réi Mu Locke and we need your expertise to uncover the secrets and decrypt the symbols. We are aware that you are fanatical about history and believe that escaping the prison and getting to discover the mysteries of this lost city would suffice as payment."