Page 116 of Between Earth and Eternity
“If we play it right, in two weeks, we should be able to escape completely undetected. No one will notice until it’s too late. The asteroid field is mostly just for precaution. We’ve been preparing for months, so we will know where to go, but they won’t.
“Laz has been working on the cloaking mechanisms, so tailing us will be nearly impossible. He has been infiltrating the system little by little to not raise suspicion.”
“Not to mention tracking down all the high-security bases that not even Vallen had access to. Now, we have targets for our attacks and disruption,” Laz adds, beaming.
“We already know about that part. You completed that weeks ago,” Payson points out, annoyed.
“We agreed Skyler needed to be up to date on everything,” he replies.
“Yes, yes, we are very proud,” Vallen says, tapping my knee under the table.
“What needs to be done in the two weeks before then?” I ask.
“Not much,” the captain answers. “Laz will be on alert for anything that pops up: new arrests, things of that nature. Vallen will keep attending his father’s meetings with the inner circle. The rest of us will stay alert.”
“These meetings Vallen attends while we are still aboard Zenith will be the last times we are freely offered information.” Runa tilts her head in thought. “Which also means these next two weeks will be the last chance for you to scour data and information without any suspicion,” she adds, looking at Laz.
“Even when they realize what’s been happening under their noses, they won’t know when or what I stole. I’m just too good,” Laz gives her a devious smile. Even she can’t resist giving him a small smile back.
“We need to make the most of the time we have before we are officially on the run,” Runa says, turning to Vallen, and he nods in understanding.
On the run.
I hadn’t thought of it that way until now. Once we go rogue, we will be labeled as criminals. Dangerous enemies to Mannox Industries’s image and mission, a mission that is all a lie.
“And then what?” I ask.
Vallen gives me a satisfied grin, as if he is remembering my words.“I’m all in,Vallen.”
“To sum it all up, Nova’s initial plan is in the last stage. With Laz’s extensive hacking skills, we have pinpointed ideal weak spots in Mannox’s supply chain: everything from resources being mined, like on Sega, to fuel, building materials, and anything else we can target to disrupt the flow of goods,” Vallen explains. “If we interfere with Eden and start to show the cracks, it won’t be quite as shocking when everyone knows the truth.”
“Is that why you haven’t just broadcasted the video? You don’t want people to panic?” I ask.
“Yes and no,” Captain Ira says. “Mannox employees are becoming more and more frustrated every day.” Frustrated is just one of many emotions; Sarah was also terrified and confused when we spoke on Sega. “We have members of Nova campaigning and searching for sympathizers in higher roles throughout the galaxy.”
“But my father’s security forces have been cracking down harder than ever, and I know he’s aware that something is in the works. Fortunately, he doesn’t know the extent yet, but we are losing time to prevent this from becoming a full-on collapse of civilization and order,” Vallen adds. “We want everyone to know the truth, but once it’s out, we want people to have somewhere to go, something they can trust. A plan to get everyone off Earth and safely to Eden.”
The weight of it all sinks in, but my heart feels a quiet hope.
The captain’s StarComm pings with a message. “I am needed elsewhere.” He heads for the exit but pauses. “Welcome to Nova, Miss Andrews. We are lucky to have you.”
I smile my thanks, grateful for his kindness.
“Everyone, you know your assignments. Stay vigilant as always,” Vallen says, and the group begins to disperse. I run to catch Runa before she leaves.
“Runa.” She turns to face me. “Thank you for looking out for me. I hope I didn’t cause too much of a fuss.”
She smiles. “Not at all . . . Skyler. It was my pleasure, in fact.” I beam with gratitude. “I’m glad to have you join us. It seems you were bound to in some way or another with that fighting spirit in you we’ve all witnessed at some point.” I blush, and she places a hand on my shoulder. “You aren’t afraid to call out things that aren’t as they should be. Make sure you continue to do that in Nova.”
Maybe it’s the motherly way about her or that I admire her for her bravery in being part of such a dangerous endeavor, but I needed that validation more than I realized.
“You told Vallen about my music, didn’t you?” I’d had my suspicions, and her expression alone confirms I was right.
“He was . . . upset with how your last conversation ended. I merely mentioned what happened at the security gate, but he tracked it down himself. Luckily, it wasn’t back on Earth, but stored on Zenith.”
Tears spring to my eyes, but I blink them away. “Thank you, Runa.” She squeezes my shoulder again before leaving.
Vallen waits until everyone is gone to ask me what I know has been itching at him since the meeting began. “How are you feeling? Any regrets?” He actually looks slightly worried.
