Chapter 33: Training Grounds

  One Week Later

  Zhon stood at the viewport, staring out at the cosmos. Earth was barely visible now—a pale blue dot among countless stars, with the sun shining brilliantly against the infinite darkness of space. The vastness made everything feel insignificant, yet somehow more precious.

  Ravine approached slowly and nudged him gently. "What are you thinking of?"

  Zhon sighed. "I know Earth was technically not our home and all, but it still feels so weird to be so far away from it. Leaving behind Aria, Captain, and the others." His voice cracked.

  Ravine stared in silence at the vast darkness before responding with a saddened expression. "Yeah, it's been a rough week, huh?"

  She swallowed hard. "But right now we have a goal to focus on. All of this that we're about to do—we're doing it for them." She turned him around to face her, looking straight into his eyes. "I need to know you're all in on this. There are only three of us left here. We're heavily outnumbered, and I do not want to lose either of you. Please, whatever happens—if we're cornered or in danger—don't play hero. Run. Roan and I can always handle it."

  "But that's not fair!" Zhon protested. "I'm a member of the squadron just like you are." He swatted her hand away. "What am I supposed to do if you both get killed and I end up alone?"

  The door slid open with a soft hiss, and footsteps echoed into the room.

  "Then you won't have to worry about anything because you'll be joining us too in the next few seconds," Roan said nonchalantly. He slid a data cartridge into the holographic table and gestured for them to come closer. "You should come see this. It seems Earth is not the only place Razak is trying to repopulate."

  Ravine's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

  As they both approached the table, a holographic projection of Mars materialized, covered with numerous red dots.

  "It took Zhon a little while to decipher the code on this thing, but if what it contains is true, then he already has a colony growing over there." He paused, then swiped his hand across the hologram, revealing project plans for other planets as well.

  "He plans to colonize each one of those," Ravine observed.

  "Cool, right?" Roan said.

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  "How is any of this cool?" Zhon said, annoyed. "They're all being used to serve this bastard's dream, and they don't have a choice to agree or not."

  "That means there are others like us. If we manage to find a way to bring them back to our side, we could have a bigger army to fight against his," Roan explained.

  "But how do we know we can convert them?" Ravine countered. "For all we know, we might not be able to and still have to destroy them in the end."

  Roan chuckled. "That's where Mother Phoenix comes in. She knows their ability to feel has been disabled. This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to counter that and give them back what's theirs." He pointed at the projection. "As you can see here, they're all in separate bases. If we go after what seems to be the miners—as messed up as it may sound—we won't have as hard a time capturing them and studying them. From there, we'll use Mother Phoenix's knowledge to figure out a way to solve this, and once we do, we can give them their freedom back."

  Ravine rubbed her chin, arms crossed. "But it's a big gamble. We're already close to being halfway to the Mother Ship's location. What if it ends up being a waste of time?"

  "As much as I want to make him pay too, Roan is right," Zhon said. "If we go to the Mother Ship now, I'm almost sure we're heading to certain death. It might be a big detour, but even just a few more on our side could make the difference. Please, Ravine, just wait a little longer." He looked at her with pleading eyes. "I want us to succeed and be together with the others afterwards."

  Roan shrugged. "Worst case scenario, we don't get more people, but we get more skills unlocked, which will give us a better chance to survive."

  Mother Phoenix faded out of Ravine's form. "I agree with your friends, Ravine. You are not yet ready to face them—just you three alone. Even with me on your side, this would be a suicide mission."

  Ravine stared blankly downward, then groaned. "Fine, let's do it. For the others." She looked at Zhon, who nodded approvingly before heading to the ship's navigation console and typing rapidly, changing their course.

  Mother Phoenix looked at Roan and Ravine. "You two, follow me. I have something to show you."

  Roan and Ravine exchanged glances before stepping toward Mother Phoenix. She phased through the wall into another room. They followed through the door.

  After two minutes of walking through the ship's corridors, they reached a vast field illuminated by bright overhead lights. The space was enormous—easily the size of several city blocks—with white floors marked by training zones.

  "What's this?" Roan asked.

  "This is where you and your peers used to train until arrival on Earth, before we wiped your memories. I will personally be training you myself and unlocking your full potential." She smiled. "This will be your chance to release all your anger toward me and attempt to touch me. In return, you will come out either stronger than before or broken."

  As Ravine started walking toward the entrance, Mother Phoenix added, "But I must warn you—neither of you will be able to leave here until I decide so."

  Ravine stepped into the room and smirked. "Good. I've been waiting for this moment a long time."

  Roan followed behind, drawing his sniper. "Let's do this, Rav."

  As he passed through, translucent walls materialized behind them, sealing them inside. Mother Phoenix positioned herself in the center of the arena.

  "Good. Let's begin."

  She snapped her fingers, and the lights beneath them blazed even brighter, blinding them completely. Through the overwhelming radiance, they could hear Mother Phoenix's laugh, seeming omnipotent and echoing from everywhere at once.