Oriehn

Chapter 23- Alice

Chapter 23- Alice

I listened intently as the radio blared on loudly in my room. They agreed to let me handle the radio, especially since I'm from Earth. They assumed that I would know how to operate it better. I twisted the radio to a different channel, and a very familiar voice came on.

"We must trick the Oriehns. Thankfully, I have conversed with our spy recently, and she has filled me in on very important information. First off, they have discovered our radio. Alice says they have entrusted her with it, but we can never be too careful.

"She will leak false information to the Oriehns. A trap, leaving them vulnerable. Then we attack. The machines attack. We will be in our control room, safe on Earth while piloting our ships; they will no longer be the superior race.

"Because we, humans, will have shown them that. And, ultimately, they will fall." I frowned, turning off the radio. I didn't want to hear more. I already knew everything, but listening to Doctor Prose make it final turned my stomach. Especially since I know it will be true.

I still was not sure if I wanted to do this.

In my short time here, I had made friends and everyone welcomed me. It was as if they did not suspect me at all, which really made me feel worse. They have been nothing but kind...and now I was going to help humans kill off their race.

I shuddered, it sounded brutal. I did not want to hurt Drai or Ian, and definitely not Sin. I honestly didn't really care about the rest of the Oriehns, just these three friends. I knew that the minute I made my choice, I would not be able to turn back.

If I chose not to betray them, I would have my friends but would probably never go back to Earth. I would be called a traitor. Everyone would shun me. But if I chose to betray the Oriehns, I would lose the only friends I had. I would return to Earth as a hero, but is that really what I wanted?

The choices did not necessarily scare me. The consequences either. By far, it was the decision.

Both sides had advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons. I would choose the side that was more profitable to me. Why not betray the Oriehns? I have nothing on them, and they have nothing on me. It would just end.

I would be able to go back home. To Doctor Prose, to a waiting world. Cheers for my accomplishment, perhaps even a medal. I would be seen as a hero.

I frustratedly put my head down on the table, suddenly feeling very tired. I turned the radio on to Doctor Prose's voice as he went over the plan. I committed everything to memory, nodded, and then laid back down.

Today was going to be the end of everything. It would be the end of my friendship with the Oriehns, especially since I would betray them tomorrow. And there would not be anyone to hate on me then; they would all be dead.

A knock suddenly sounded, and I turned the radio off. "Alice?" I recognized the voice immediately, as it was Sin's. "Are you there? We need the information now. It is time to act and for us to prepare," He said surely, stating every syllable.

"Y-yes," My voice wavered as I replied. I opened the door and smiled weakly at him. Closing my eyes for a second and trying to stay awake, I responded, "Yes, I have the information. It took a while, but I finally managed to extract the secret station out."

Sin clapped, his eyes lighting up. "Great! Did Doctor Prose say anything about the ships, the numbers, where they have the most forces, any unguarded places? Oh, and also the plans?" He said in a rush.

I laughed. "He did. Estimating, there are over twenty five million ships out there," Sin's jaw dropped, and I laughed lightly again. At least this was not a lie I had to tell.

"The same? All armed the same way, all made the same way?"

"Yes, it seems so. By tomorrow, they may have fifty million ready for us. We have to be ready and quick on our feet," I say. This was also a truth.

Sin pursed his lips. "Was there anything else you gathered?"

I flinched lightly, hoping that he did not see. This was where the lies began. "It says that they have infiltrated everywhere of the galaxy." Sin's face dropped. "Except Oriehn's moon, Crete. That small one you told me about?"

"Yeah," Sin nodded.

"Well, they said that since it was so desolate, far away and hard to reach, they did not bother. They have ninety five percent of their forces focusing on the Oriehn home planet. The other five percent is on the moon, Crious."

"Ah. So the moon Crete will be abandoned completely?"

I shook my head, and added another sentence to try and make everything sound realistic. "Not completely. They may have a few ships just scouting around it, but compared to everywhere else, this moon is our best shot."

"When will the attack be held?" Sin questioned, his brows furrowed as he frowned. I gulped lowly, fidgeting slightly.

"Tomorrow, Sin. At the crack of dawn." I answered.

"Tomorrow?" Sin frowned deeper. "Alice, do you now mean today?" I shook my head. He insisted. "Yes, it is, Alice. It is just three in the morning. Do you not feel tired? You have been up all night trying to find the secret station on the radio."

His voice was caring, soft and gentle. It made me want to rethink my decision, but the damage was already done. I could not go back on my words. "Alice?" He whispered gently, reaching out a hand to cup my face.

"Yes?" I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch.

"Go to sleep. Drai and I will prepare everything. Dawn will rise in two hours. Good night, Alice, and sleep well," He pulled his hand away and left.

I stared after him, knowing that this may be the last time I would see him as a friend.

Because tomorrow he would be my enemy.