Cascade

9 - Motive

9 - Motive

“Make sure pretty boy doesn’t blow chunks over there.” Claire said. After entering a high elliptical orbit, Claire had only to wait until apoapsis to make their next burn. The weightless intern was regaining consciousness as they passed the 650 kilometer altitude.

“What happened?” He asked.

“You went head to head with a gas grenade and lost.” Melissa said.

The young man held his head.

“Ya, that sounds about right.” He said. “I take it we’re in space.”

“Gold star, Sherlock.” Melissa replied.

“Breathe slowly and deeply, and don’t imagine your falling.” Claire said. “That should help make you feel less queasy.”

“Ya, tell me what not to think about. That’ll really help.” He said.

“Leave the poor man alone, Claire.” Melissa chided.

“Just trying to help.” Claire said with a shrug. She pulled up the nav-computer and planned a prograde burn to get them on an intersecting course with a slip array.

“Never mind her.” Melissa said. “You can talk to me.”

The young man gave a weak smile.

“So what’s your name?” She asked.

“Jordan.”

“So, Jordan. Why did you decide to become a fugitive and join the ranks of public enemy number one and two?”

“To be honest, I didn’t think it would go this way.”

“You fall in league with the two most dangerous people you have ever met, knowing they were responsible for the fall of society as we know it, and you thought the rest of the way would be all daisies and sunshine?”

“I knew that what Nexus was doing was haphazard and minimal at best. I knew you both could do more. Even if there was the smallest chance that I could help you and perhaps save several million more lives, I had to take it.”

“What self-sacrificing nobility.”

“Down, girl.” Claire said from the front. Melissa gave her a death glare.

“So what’s your story?” Jordan asked. “I know you guys are some sort of hyped up super-freaks. But really, who are you?”

“Hyped up super-freaks?” Melissa said. Jordan looked self conscious. “We should put that on business cards.”

“We are Paladins.” Claire said. “All in all, there are eight of us. One for each planet destined for destruction. Each of us has been augmented from extreme youth. Together we make up The Reckoning. Bringer of justice to corrupted worlds, and dawn to the new era of equality.” She said, pointing to the “R” emblem on her bracelet. Melissa did the same.

“Or so that’s what we’ve been told.” Claire muttered.

“Eight of you? Eight people did all this?”

“No. Four of us did all this. The others haven’t struck yet.” Melissa replied.

“How? How is that even possible?”

“If you want to destroy the medical center of the entire system, how would you do it?” Claire asked.

“I don’t know. Nuke it?”

“That might work for other planets, but not Saluthien.” Melissa replied. “They have bunkers, shielding, advanced warning systems, heavy duty military resources on stand by. The whole planet was designed to handle states of emergency.”