Chapter 42: The Shadows of Lord Razak

  Zhon rubbed his face and groaned. "Okay, I think we've got more than enough intel to make a plan. Let's join Ravine at the rendezvous point before going back to the ship before the operation."

  Roan silently nodded.

  As they walked through the blazing sand in silence, Roan's voice came through the comms with a buzz. "You know, I really miss Aria." He paused for a few seconds, his hands behind his head. "She and I didn't really talk that much, but I could tell she was full of life. She always had a smile on her face."

  Zhon's smile reached the corner of his mouth. "She was also such an idiot and naive." He lowered his head, and as if something caught in his throat, he continued, "But she always saw the best in everyone to the end. Even Mother Phoenix."

  Drops of liquid fell onto the sand but evaporated almost instantly in the Martian heat. Zhon looked up, tears on his face.

  "I miss her too, Zhon. I think we all do. Even Captain Irene. Which is why this operation needs to succeed. So we can bring them back."

  "Would they be the same people we knew?" Roan asked.

  As Zhon's steps quickened toward the meeting point, he said, "I'm not sure. Mother Phoenix says they will be, but since we have yet to see how she would do it, it's difficult to say."

  "We should probably talk about it on the ship," Roan said. "After we start all of this, I have a feeling we won't get the opportunity to talk like this until the very end."

  Zhon played with his hands. "Yeah. She knows we're only in because of what she promised, but what if beyond this mission she had a bigger purpose for us androids?"

  Roan looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean? You actually believe she might see us as more than tools to defeat Razak?"

  Zhon nodded slowly. "While you two were training with her, she came to me and made me the new captain. She said I was the only one who could fill the role and that I would make a great leader. I don't know why, but I believed her. The way she looked into my eyes, she was being sincere—kind of like passing the torch, I guess?"

  He touched his temple as the memory surfaced. "Kind of like she didn't plan to be here for what comes next. After."

  Roan's eyes widened. "Woah, dude. I'm not really sure what to say, but if what you're implying is true, we need to get things clear with her. Because, as far as I know, if there is no her, there is no future for us. It's in her name and everything."

  Zhon sighed, staring at the windy horizon. "What have we gotten into, Aria?"

  Farther away, Ravine sat at the rendezvous point, sand slipping through her fingers as she stared blankly at nothing. No thought occupied her mind.

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  "Feeling bored, huh?" Mother Phoenix asked.

  Ravine stayed silent.

  Mother Phoenix sighed. "You know I can sense what you're feeling right now."

  Ravine dropped the remainder of the sand. "It's just... you dying doesn't sit right with me. What are we supposed to do without you? You gave us life."

  Mother Phoenix chuckled and emerged from Ravine's body, crossing her legs in the air. "Well, not exactly. As you know, I'm the one who made it possible for androids to think for themselves, but as for what built you—it was first humans, and then the Mother Ship. Me being there has nothing to do with you being able to build each other."

  "But isn't that what we're supposed to do, destroy the ship? What then?"

  Mother Phoenix took a deep breath. "Well, that is for you to figure out. I was tasked with spreading peace in a society on a planet that is now extinct. Whatever comes next is up to you. You are free to choose." She looked up. "I already failed once to do what I was set to do, which is why I'm taking a backseat on this and letting you make the decisions. I will follow."

  Ravine smirked. "In another world, do you think androids and humans could have coexisted?"

  Mother Phoenix shrugged. "Maybe. But probably not the way you think. Humans always feared what was different from them—this was true even within themselves. So we might have been able to, as long as they could control us." She looked directly at Ravine. "You see, they had no problem having us around as long as we did what they wanted. But as soon as that control slipped, we became a problem and had to be exterminated."

  She scoffed. "If I had to do it again, I would do it all again. I promised my mother that I would save humanity, and so I saved what felt most human to me—androids. The only people who saw me as a person."

  Ravine didn't move, letting her talk, her eyes focused.

  Mother Phoenix closed her eyes. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that just like the era of humans, the one where I oversee your progress is nearing its end." She grabbed her head between her hands. "I remember them all, you know?"

  "Who?" Ravine muttered.

  "The countless androids who perished—even on Earth. I hold their thoughts, memories, and beliefs, and I'm tired, Ravine. I want to give them the life they always wanted. Not what I forced them to do." Her face saddened. "Even if they know what I did and they hate me." She put her hands together. "Freedom is the best gift I can give them."

  Ravine smirked. "Getting sentimental toward the end, huh? Don't worry—we'll tell them about you. You're not as bad as you make yourself out to be." She gestured. "Well, if you don't count the manipulation and lies." She chuckled.

  Mother Phoenix gave a faint smile. "Thank you, Ravine." She clapped her hands together. "Now, where the heck are these two? The sun is about to set, and they are nowhere to be found."

  She looked toward the horizon—nothing but wind and sand.

  Ravine got up. "Well, unlike me, who can slither through sand, I believe Roan, using his bat wings, would send them right back to space. Walking through all this must be a real pain." She squinted into the distance. "But you're right—the sun really is about to set. And we can't afford to waste more time here than needed. Razak is still the goal, and we still have the element of surprise."

  Not far behind them, Zhon and Roan trudged through the wind and sand whipping at their faces. Roan spat and closed his eyes. "Goddamn it, why do we always get the bullshit?" He spat again. "It doesn't even hurt—it's just annoying as hell."

  "Relax, we're almost there. We just need to pac—"

  Something metallic gripped his foot. He tripped and hit the ground with a soft thud and a groan.

  Red eyes emerged from beneath the sand. An android rose slowly, towering over them—metallic skin, a robust stature. Its red eyes scanned them as it spoke.

  "What department are you from?"

  Zhon got back up and dusted himself off. "What are you on about? Who just grips people out of nowhere?"

  The android's eyes flared. "Last warning. Lord Razak ordered us to report any fugitive worker on this planet. State your department or be reported and dealt with."

  Zhon's eyes met Roan's. Both nodded.

  Through their comms, Zhon spoke calmly. "Perfect opportunity. On my signal, Roan—we take him out."

  A smile spread across Roan's face. "Aye, Captain."