Page 23 of The Last Aquarius
“I’m surprised with all your advancements that you didn’t stop the asteroid before it crashed into your planet.”
“Unlike humanity, Martians weren’t a violent people. Things like missiles and projectile weapons weren’t something we ever bothered creating. To protect our planet, we had an energy shield to deflect stray meteors and larger asteroids that might cause harm. Only the Kukakk ship smashed through our barrier and crashed hard into the surface. You can still see remnants of the crater, which astronomers have called Hellas Basin. Even then, we had no idea of our peril as we dealt with the aftershock of the impact. By the time we realized the true threat…” Shepaused. “Well, you saw what happened on Earth with just a single Kukakk and a few Saursu. Imagine it on a large scale.”
“How did you fight if you didn’t have guns and stuff?”
“Not easily. We quickly learned fire was our best tool and developed flamethrowers, which took care of the Saursu, but the Kukakk were another matter. It didn’t take long before the four that landed controlled entire cities. Torturing my people. Pitting them like animals against each other. Several attempts were made to kill them, but as you know, they just need a new body to come back.”
“I’m confused. Back in the cave, you said it couldn’t take over your body. So what… Were the Kukakk ruling through animals?”
“No, the Martians at the time were susceptible. The scientists hidden in the citadel eventually found a way to tweak our genetics just enough that it couldn’t attach itself, but by then, it was too late.”
“Hold on, couldn’t we modify people so this thing can’t snatch any bodies? If it can’t control humans, then it’s kind of like killing it.”
“Modify the genetics of billions?” She arched a brow.
“Guess that’s not really feasible, hence why you blew them up. Did you drop a bomb on them?”
“More like released a greater energy than they possessed, one that shredded them apart, and yet left my people unharmed. The most complex machine I ever built.”
“You built it?”
“I did.” She hung her head. “Everything that happened afterwards was my fault.”
“This is what we call a rock-and-a-hard-place situation. If you hadn’t acted, your people would have died horrifically. Instead, you gave them a chance. Yeah, they had to move, but if you ask me, that was the better choice.”
“Only they didn’t have a choice. I didn’t ask permission. I saw a way to get rid of the Kukakk and took it without thought for the aftermath. I was selfish.”
“You did your best, and now, you have a chance to make a difference again.”
“Even if I wanted to help, I can’t. The weapon I used can’t be recreated on Earth.”
“Why not?”
“Because the elements used are exclusive to Mars.”
“We could go get them.”
“You’re asking me to knowingly destroy another planet.”
Aquarius could have screamed, as she kept getting caught on the same point over and over. “We made a deal. I fix Mars, and you help us.”
“And I will keep my end of the bargain.”
“Because you don’t think it can be done.”
“It would take the power of a god.”
With those words, she was gone, and Aquarius woke in his bed. Disoriented at first, and his mind whirring. Could he ask a god to help them?
CHAPTER 9
Ishtar didn’t knowwhat do with herself when she rose. She could have gone down to dine but feared running into people. Used to her own company, the idea of socializing, even about mundane matters, had her cringing. Worse than small talk, likely they’d try and convince her to help destroy Earth. Never mind the fact her weapon could kill the Kukakk. Why could none of them grasp that what she’d done should never be attempted again?
Reece seemed to think he could find a way to counter the weapon’s catastrophic result. She wished she could believe that. Still, when he’d offered a bargain, she’d accepted. Why not? It wasn’t as if he could fix Mars.
Thinking of him reminded her of the dream they’d shared. Unexpected and shocking. For one, she’d never done that before, which didn’t make it impossible. Through her memories, she knew it used to be quite common—among those who formed avinceros.Essentially a bond that tied two people together. Humans had a word for it. Soulmates. Only one problem. Ishtar didn’t love Aquarius. She’d never loved anyone. It seemed too selfish for her to indulge in a relationship when so many of her people couldn’t.
There must have been another reason he appeared in her dream. Probably something to do with his avatar status. Although, why would the star gods bother to meddle? Perhaps they, too, felt guilt for what happened. The Martians hadn’t been the only ones taken by surprise. The Astraeus never saw the Kukakk coming. Couldn’t see them at all. Having had lifetimes to ponder that mystery, the only conclusion she’d come up with? The Kukakk and Astraeus, both beings of energy, must exist on different frequencies. Or if she were being more melodramatic, the power of light couldn’t see that of the dark and vice versa. They required intermediaries such as humans.
