Page 85 of Mutant Mine

Then, at last, the door to the shuttle opens, a ramp descends, and Roth’s family walks out.

Because that’s what they are — instantly, obviously. Oneafter the other, four of the biggest men I’ve ever seen step down the ramp. The exposed skin on their bodies and faces is striped with varied patterns of iridescent blue, and horns rise from each of their heads. They aren’t all the same human ethnicity, and have different colored skin, hair, and eyes, and different facial features — but they are so clearly family.

I know that it goes deeper than their unique appearance. They’ve shared an experience that no one else can understand. That must create a bond unlike any other.

The differences between them and Roth are as stark as the similarities. It’s a reminder of just how much he’s suffered in their years apart, imprisoned and alone. These men are dressed in sleek, dark uniforms and body armor. They look well armed, well fed, and well trained. His brothers move with a fluid, understated strength — while Roth is wild and fierce, bristling with the potential for violence at all times.

They have no fear, I think.That’s the difference.

Shallow waters rush like rapids, but the deepest river doesn’t make a sound. Roth has had to fight every day to make sure that there’s a tomorrow. He must never have been confident of anything: not his future, not his place in the world, not even his next meal. These men, on the other hand, know exactly who they are — and that nobody else stands a chance.

Beside me, I feel Roth physically twitch at the sight of them.

For one stupid moment, I think perhaps he’s wary of them, like me. I think he’s stepping in front of me to defend me from them.

As the men walk across the landing dock towards the door that separates us, Roth floats away from me like a balloon. He’s drifting irresistibly forwards, through the door, as if tugged by a string in his chest.

“Roth!” the tallest man cries out, his face bursting into a wide, warm smile. And then they crash into each other’s arms.

The other three brothers of Watergap pile on, and soon they’re all locked in a chaotic five-way hug.

They looked so serious and scary a moment ago! Watching in astonishment (and hoping they don’t poke anyone’s eye out, with so many horns jammed closed together), I soon find that I’m smiling, too, in spite of my nerves. Roth’s joy makes it impossible not to.

“Theyare our ride out of here?” one of the crew asks weakly. When I turn around, their faces are all aghast.

Of course; even though he’s helped them this evening, they don’t know that Roth isn’t the evil terrorist they believe him to be. And now evenmoreof the galaxy’s most wanted mutants have showed up.

“You can trust them,” I say, feeling unexpectedly defensive of the strangers. “All of them. You really can.”

And it’s true, isn’t it? As long as Roth’s brothers are anything like him, then we can trust them.

Then, another figure steps out of the shuttle. It’s… a woman? A human woman, with no horns or blue bits in sight. When the brothers have broken up their huddle, she steps forward, laughing, and takes the hand of the tallest man — the one who first hugged Roth.

My heart clenches at the sight of them, looking so natural and relaxed together. She’s pretty and petite, wearing a smaller version of their armored uniform. She comes up to about his elbow, but her partner angles his whole body towards her, like a huge flower leaning into the light of a tiny sun.

To my surprise, she looks right at me and waves.

“Rory,” Roth calls, reaching back a hand. “Come and meet my brothers.”

* **

IT’S SURREAL WATCHINGthe Hades disappear beneath us, getting smaller and smaller in the distance. When I first went aboard, I felt like I was stepping into the belly of the beast.

But there was no beast waiting for me. Only a man. And now that enormous ship is just a speck on an infinite black sea.

The four men, I now know, are named Thorne, Blake, Marlow, and Weaver. Weaver is the giant one who rushed at Roth like a mutant labrador. His human partner is named Selene.

There is one more brother back on their ship, Weaver told us — and others scattered across the galaxy, lost in the frenzy of their original escape from Watergap.

Before we boarded the shuttle, I stammered a hello to them all. They shook my hand and congratulated Roth, clapping him on the back and exchanging meaningful glances. Roth held my hand tightly the whole time.

They took my crewmates in stride, too:

“We have plenty of room,” Weaver assured them. “Our ship is built for far more than our small crew.”

So we piled aboard the shuttle and strapped in. And now we’re rising up, up, and away.

I turn around to peer out of the viewing port beside my shoulder. Soon, the Hades will be completely lost to the blackness of space. My gut churns as I watch it go.

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