Page 73 of Destinies of Diamond
“Besides, the information isn’t that important. It doesn’t matter whose blood I have in my veins, just who I’m loyal to. And that is and will always be Brendan.”
“Fair enough, Flight Lieutenant Cavallero,” Paul replied. “My apologies. I meant no offense. I’ll provide you with all the information you need, of course.”
“I appreciate that, Lord Welton. I do need something more.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, now even more apprehensive than before. “Of course, Your Majesty. What is it?”
For the first time since my arrival in Hades Base, I let the poisonous light of Typhon’s power slide into my eyes. “Tell me… What do you know about the First Chimera Project?”
****
Jared
Considering how things had gone when I’d come to New Washington last time, I hadn’t thought I was the best choice to join Selene on her trip to Terra. Unfortunately, I was the only one available, as the others all had to provide backup for Brendan.
It was just as well that my job wasn’t to take Selene to New Washington.
I shot a bolt of discreet flame through the ground and The Grand Judiciary embassy exploded. By my side, Kallios chortled in satisfaction. Teela shot me a quick smile. “You know, even if we’re here for a real, important reason, I can’t deny it’s very satisfying to do this.”
“You can blow the next one up, if you want,” I told her. “Just make sure to moderate your power.”
“I know the mission objectives, Jar’yd. Relax.”
It was easier said than done. I was very worried about Selene, about what she was supposed to do. But I couldn’t help her now. I had to focus on fulfilling my task and hope that I’d be able to find her soon.
Spitefully, I blew up another building, wishing it made me feel better. In the distance, I could hear the sound of screams. I felt no remorse. These Terrans were all irrelevant, dust in the wind.
I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with Selene, with my son. Would this really work, or were we here for nothing?
My friends didn’t try to encourage me again, at least not through words. Their power vibrated through the ground, through the air, and into me.
We didn’t stay for much longer, since we intended to avoid being spotted. We wanted The Grand Judiciary to think terrorists were behind the attacks, long enough to allow Brendan to make a move on the throne.
With a thought, we transported ourselves back to our small base here on Terra. I’d been tempted to go back to the Apsid Quasar, or at least to Mercury, but that would have been too strenuous and pushed our skills too much. Instead, we’d taken refuge near the destroyed remnants of Gaia’s Haven.
There was nothing left of the old settlement now, but there was a reason why The Grand Judiciary had sent the Grand Chimera Unit here, and why the Haven had been built in this place in particular. This was the perfect place to hide and recharge.
We were supposed to rest, but the moment we entered the ravine, something powerful touched me. Down here, it was dark and cold. Helios’s gift still reached me, but it felt more distant. There was another presence niggling at the back of my mind.
Like a man in a dream, I knelt and touched the earth. Instantly, I heard a voice and the sound of distant laughter.
“Why her?”I asked, not really expecting a reply.“Why pick her?”
“Why not?”the voice shot back.“You should know by now, Jared Glass, that humans don’t matter to gods. Their souls are just fuel for greater beings.”
Behind me, my companions stirred, obviously anxious. I wasn’t sure if they heard the voice or not, but I’d worry about that later.
“Selene isn’t fuel! I refuse to believe that.”
“Helios indulges you too much. He always has. The world isn’t that kind, child. You’d best be aware of it.”
“Oh, I’m aware. That’s why we’re on Terra, after all.”
“No, you’re here to save her, yourself, and that spawn of yours.”
“Do you really have no love in your heart for mankind? Do you really think they’re a hopeless species?”
“They’ve always been hopeless, flawed. It was a mistake to leave this world in their hands in the first place. The only thing they’ve ever done is destroy.”
