Wolf Heart

Chapter 54

Planet: Eteran, Insurgency Storage Base

First Insurgency War

RAYAN

If that's all Meryn could give me, I'll have to try something else. I need a backdoor into the Sanctum, something to assuage my suspicion. I know where I'm going to get it.

Sirens rang through his ears while he walked through the Insurgent facility on Eteran and set up warning systems. Everyone knew their duty and their place, and Rayan knew his risk. If the Sanctum arrives like Aaron suspects... I know what I have to do.

Knowledge came at a price. He learned everything came at some sort of price.

Seventeen. Shaken. Lost.

He found himself in the safety of Roxton and slumped into the support of the First Insurgency. He half expected death when they found out the truth of his name, but Aaron and Garcy spoke for him to Seeto, the leader of it all. It took time, but he fought for the trust within the ranks of the Insurgency. Codebreaking reminded him of painting in a fashion. It relied on a certain colourful pattern and how everything connected with a brushstroke. Reluctant to lose the frozen moment, the First Insurgency showed him the truth of their goal and their longing for change.

The Strike Forces were too late to save Eastpoint. I had to do something.

Anything.

He needed to fight for something worth dying for. It was an escape from the ringing in his ears, where the wailing sirens signalled the end of life while Ava pushed him to the ground.

Months came and went when he rose through the Insurgency ranks — twisted favouritism he once resented as a naive teenager. I'm the son of a Sanctum General, and though she never told me what really went on behind the scenes, I know now.

He knew where to hit hard without harming innocents. A swaying force for the battle-weary Insurgency — and the slight difference he made. Seeto called him ignorant, but Rayan found a small gift. People listened to him and followed him in their fight against the injustices of the Galactic Sanctum.

No. More.

In quieter moments, his mind wandered back into the field of flames in search of a picture. Ava, who he failed to keep his grip on, and James.

James...

I made a promise I failed to keep. I couldn't protect either of you.

Flames burnt them to ash.

Freedom from his parent's shadows, he ran from the sirens to join the First Insurgency's fight for freedom.

His ears continued to ring, so he focused on the moment and what he had to do to see the goal realized. I have to protect the innocent, no matter what happens to me. It's the only way we'll win.

He directed the Insurgents to move precious information from their servers and out of the mountain base. I'm sure they'll be here soon, Aaron hasn't been wrong once. I can't give them anything that'll cut our chances. Just me.

Rayan swiped through his datapad.

Unlisted deaths rolled across his news report. Too fast. Too unnatural of a pattern though the missing piece rested on the tip of his tongue. It always hits where we were or we planned to be... a weapon pointed straight at us. His heart churned at the nauseating thought. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's a coincidence. Another part of him screamed for justice to be brought to the table of change. Only the Strike Forces and Aelius have that missing piece... I commend Meryn's loyalty to Aelius... which means I will put my head in the guillotine instead.