Page 40 of When Eden Falls

Havav seemed to buy into the ruse and chuckled to himself. As he continued his random questioning, I flicked my gaze to Rooke again. He was mentally noting every question, every comment and hidden incentive. Something was going on. I neededto talk to him in private, but with his presence constantly domineered by Havav, finding the time would be difficult.

Sensing my attention, Rooke’s dark gaze shifted to my face. He moved his elbow, resting it on the arm of his chair, tapping his ear twice, before leaning into his fist in a casual motion.

A double ear tap—Solarfleet directive for radio. It seemed he needed to talk to me as well.

C h a p t e rT w e l v e

I sat up late with the radio earpiece activated in my left ear, not wanting the radio speaker to crackle loudly this time of night. And I got the impression Rooke didn’t want this conversation to be overheard by any Akquarian. I only hoped they were as technologically underdeveloped as we assumed and didn’t possess the knowledge of how to intercept radio frequencies.

Eventually, Rooke’s voice, soft and low, crackled through, “Eden, are you there?”

I tapped my ear. “I’m here. What’s going on?”

“To be honest, I don’t know. Over the past few days, I’ve been feeling more and more uncomfortable about the situation.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“I can’t explain it. Havav seems genuine enough, but I can’t shift this feeling that he is up to something.”

“Have you noted any modern tech anywhere?”

“No, which baffles me. But his questions aren’t random, they’re generic. Which is making me wonder what information he is attaining.”

“Zam thinks he wants to conquer Allura.”

Rooke chuckled. “I don’t think that’s it.”

“So, why are you keeping The Orka a secret?”

“He doesn’t need to know. And if things do go south, Troy and The Orka could be our only means of escape.” He sighed heavily.

“Have you spoken to Troy recently?”

“Yesterday. He’s finding it hard to make contact with us. There’s a huge amount of lead in the fortress walls. But occasionally he does get through, although for how much longer, I don’t know. Our battery charges are running low.”

“Yeah, mine too.”

“Kobe doesn’t think he can muster anything up to recharge them here. We need to go back to the ship.”

“So, what’s stopping us?”

“Havav may not allow it.”

“Then, let it be a test. Ask him. See what he says. He doesn’t need to know the exact reason why we need the radios. At least that way we’ll know for certain if we are prisoners or guests in his eyes.”

Rooke agreed it was a good plan, however it didn’t ease my scepticism when Yuska came to me two days later, bearing my Solarfleet uniform in her arms. “Your commander asks that you’ll be ready by midday.”

I took the clean clothes, noting she had only brought one set. “Are Cora and Zamya not joining us?”

“No.” Yuska frowned at me, as if I was being downright idiotic. She pointed towards the balcony, to where both Cora and Zamya were lounging about in the sunshine. “They are both currently indisposed and sanctioned to remain in the apartment for a few days.” She shook her head. “I cannot believe your species are unable to detect such things on each other.”

I frowned at her as she busied herself. Turning abruptly, I walked onto the balcony. Zamya was sprawled out on a sun lounger, whilst Cora sat at the table, under a large, leafed parasol, reading.

“In future, can you both keep me informed of your changing…conditions.”

Shielding her eyes from the intense sun, Zamya looked up at me. “I told you a couple of days ago it was due.”

“I know, I know.” Nux, this was frustrating. Clearly Havav did not see us as his prisoners, but being a female amongst these people was the same as condemning us to a prison. Although, itappeared both my female colleagues were enjoying the isolation and relaxation. I, however, found it an inconvenience.