Page 85 of Black Mamba

He swipes his fingers over the screen. “Nope. She’s not registered.”

My shoulders deflate and I nod, flattening my lips, having already prepared for the news. “I knew it was a long shot.” It’s not like anyone else has seen her.

The soldier smiles sadly. “We’ve all lost someone. The best we can do now is to keep going, keep searching, keep surviving. That’s what we hope they’re doing, so that’s what we need to do ourselves.”

I turn away from him to look at the crowd. “Yeah. You’re right.” My thoughts drift to Lukys and my lips purse.

“Everybody quiet down! Commander Lunteer is about to speak!” a man with a megaphone shouts.

I glance at the soldier. “Thank you.”

He nods then flicks his eyes outside. “See you around.”

No. You won’t.

THIRTY-EIGHT

DUST IN THE AIR

Elena

Threading my way through people, I retreat to the gate. The longer I’m away from Lukys, the more I worry he might do something regrettable. He’s done regrettable things in the past.

Jenna isn’t here. Now that I know… We can leave. I have no intention of remaining if my sister isn’t here, especially not without my ship.

A weight lifts off me despite the sadness in me growing. I push it away, push it out of my head, arguing with my emotions that I will deal with them later.

“Good morning, everyone,” a voice booms behind me, and I pause to peer over my shoulder. Half-way up the main path, I hesitate, feeling compelled to listen. Up on the powercell’s stage, I take in Commander Lunteer, an attractive, middle-aged man with shoulder length hair and a scruffy jawline. He’s flanked by soldiers and scientists. They circle the machine while managing tablets and controls. “Brace!” he chuckles.

The powercell pulsates and a breeze rushes over everyone. A hushed whoa emanates while the commander glances at the powercell with a smile. “Don’t worry. It’s preparing for its launch. Soon, our powercell will be completely charged and we’ll have the means of intergalactic communication once again!”

I look around as some people laugh nervously. Others cheer.

“Tell us what news you have from The Sovereign!” someone yells. “Tell us what happened to the central encampment!”

The commander raises his hand. “I have news, but, please, do not call out your questions until I’m done. Today is a day of celebration. Soon, we will have protection and energy once again!”

More people cheer and the commander smiles.

“In minutes, the reason my battalion was sent here—the powercell—will be operational, and our broadcasts, including your own, will be on par to what we had on The Dreadnaut. The darkness we have lived in for the past month will be no more. Communication with those in other galaxies will be possible once again.”

I see hopeful expressions on the faces of those around me. I shuffle back as the commander continues to speak.

Jenna might have gone to another galaxy. It’s possible… Mateo’s ship is built for longer periods of travel unlike my parents. They could’ve flown straight for the colony ship pod and left all of this behind.

What he’s saying is… good news.

“What about The Sovereign? What news from The Sovereign?”

“As for The Sovereign,” the commander pivots, “We still do not have word from them. Like I said, that will not be the case shortly.” He raises his hand again when more questions are thrown his way. “They could very well be on their way. We will have a better chance of reaching them soon. We only need to wait a few short minutes.”

I eye the giant machine behind him as several flashing tendrils of electricity jump and connect within the inner, round frame. The hair on my arms rise. I take a step back.

“They’ve abandoned us!” a woman cries.

One of Commander Lunteer’s officers steps forward. “Lies and rumors! No one has abandoned us.”

“Tell us what happened at the Central Encampment!”