Page 41 of When Eden Falls

I rubbed my forehead with my thumb and forefinger. “I’m going back to the ship to charge the radio batteries with Rooke and Kobe. While I’m gone, maybe both of you could do with a workout. We need to keep our bodies strong and active.”

Zamya groaned. “Yes, master.”

Cora, on the other hand, ignored my suggestion entirely. “If you’re going back to the ship, could you retrieve a couple of books for me please? I’m sure I left them on the flight deck. There should be two.”

I sighed and went to get dressed.

Just before midday, Yuska escorted me down the dark, spiral staircases. Down and down we went, deeper into the fortress until I started feeling nauseous. When we finally emerged at the bottom, I recognised the area as the wide corridor we had been aggressively marched along when we first arrived a week ago. The turquoise crystals hung from the high, caustic ceilings. The floor smooth and polished under my black boots.

An Akquarian male stood at the far end with his back turned to us. His upper body bare, exposing the deep contours of his back muscles. A blue sash sat around his slim trouser waist, with a curved sword buckled to his left hip and a cluster of smaller knives on his right.

As we approached, he turned and I realised it was Dybgo, without the cape and golden armour, revealing a large golden swirl tattooed onto his right pectoral.

His crystal blues swept over my face before he thanked Yuska. And as if they tag-teamed, Dybgo suddenly became my escort.

The smell was the first thing that hit me as I followed Dybgo down the moist, uneven steps into the caves below. Seaweed and potent dampness stung my nose. It was so gloomy down here, even with the blue lanterns hanging along the damp walls.

Exiting the claustrophobic tunnel, a boat very similar to the one we arrived on, bobbed at the end of a gangway. The sails were lowered and closed, and a line of Akquarians sat on either side, ready to row the boat out of the large cave.

As we walked up the small incline to the boat, Rooke appeared at the edge in front of us. Eyeing Dybgo, he smiled. “Didn’t recognise you, buddy,” he said, slapping Dybgo on the shoulder, “without your usual golden glow.”

Unimpressed, Dybgo frowned at him, while I tried to suppress my snigger. Thankfully, he didn’t look back. He continued onto the boat, barking orders at the small crew.

“Nice to see you looking more like my second again.” Rooke winked at me, taking in the blue-grey T-shirt, combat pants, black boots, and the usual high ponytail.

“Did you not approve of my elegant side?”

“Well…I suppose I did like that dress. You know the one with the really low-cut neckline, that showed off your…” I slapped his hand away from where he was pointing at his breastbone. He laughed. “What?”

“Stop it. Anyway, you can talk. Still no beard?”

“It’s not permitted, unlike flaunting one’s breasts.”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t flaunt them.”

He winked, taunting me again. I hummed my disapproval as he walked towards the stern of the ship. I followed. “You seem in good spirits today.”

“I am,” he said quietly. “We finally get away from this prison for a few hours. And Nux knows, it’s been a long week.”

“You’re not worried about the Igknamai?”

“Look around…we’ve got a small platoon of trained Akquarian warriors with us. I’m pretty sure we’ll be okay.” He handed me a small handgun; one from his own collection. Not laser, but bullet. His preferred type. “Our laser guns have lost their charge. So, keep this with you. Just in case.”

I pushed the relic into my belt and the boat started to move.

It took just under an hour to reach the stretch of land where our ship sat. Out at sea, it was obvious the sand surrounding theParvos was littered with materials. Caught in the tide, some floated out towards us. But as we drew closer, the extent of the damage was horrifying. Rooke cursed profusely as we waded through the sea, pulling a small, wooden longboat to shore.

Fuel leakage stained the dry sand. Cables were scattered everywhere, their plastic casings no longer protecting the wiring inside. All three of Parvos’ landing gears were submerged in the sand, lowering the height of the hull considerably. Metal from the underbelly and exterior walls had been shredded, displaying several large holes big enough for a horse to get through. Big enough for the Igknamai to gain entry onto the ship.

A haunting revelation shuddered through my bones; we would be dead if we had remained here. Rooke’s risky plan to find the Akquarians had saved us all from the same fate as Sym and Captain Lewison. Even Zamya wouldn’t be able to deny that.

I walked towards the rear of the ship, to where Rooke stood pointing the remote at the landing ramp to open. He cursed. “Kobe, it’s not working.”

“I thought as much. There’s too much wiring damage.” Kobe appeared from behind me. “We’ll have to get in through one of those holes.” He nodded to the jagged opening to the left of the landing ramp. Sharp pieces of metal sat at odd angles making the access point seem hazardous.

Rooke spun round looking for Dybgo. The Akquarian was striding from the grounded longboat at the edge of the surf, studying our alien vessel with those assessing eyes.

“What are the chances the ship’s being inhabited?” Rooke called to him.