The Orion Project by Julie Rollins

Author:Julie Rollins [Rollins, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gyroscope Books
Published: 2015-05-02T22:00:00+00:00

12. Gentle Surrender

Naiwei finished washing the last of the cooking bowls and set it out to dry. Chaing Sun strode up, his face as merry as a stone.

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” she muttered.

He nodded. “Listen, you may think our wonderful leaders can do no wrong, but I know otherwise.” Sun glanced around. “We did not invent flash-travel. The instructions were sent to us.”

Naiwei stared at him. “Sent? By whom?”

“Aliens. I was on the team because I know math and can understand English. A strange container landed out in one of the Northern provinces. It contained five cylinders with instructions.”

His eyes darted around before resting back on her again. “I was the only one who could understand the calculations for travel. The others were too embarrassed to admit their ignorance. But none of us knows how the cylinders really work.

“We already lost one, a second is being studied, the third is here with the ship and the fourth and fifth are waiting for use as transports.”

Sun leaned closer. “The leadership is fighting over which is more important: exploring space, or destroying our enemies on Earth.”

Naiwei’s face grew firm. “You’ve just given me one more reason to make certain this expedition is successful. If I mess things up now, they will choose war over exploration.”

* * *

David scanned the forest with sonar as he pressed through the red stalks. Naiwei sat speaking with a soldier, wrapping a cut on his hand.

“Next time be more careful,” she chided. “Some of these plants are toxic to the touch.”

David peered over a boulder. “Naiwei, may I speak with you?” he asked in English.

The soldier snatched up his gun.

“Put that down. You’ll frighten him,” she ordered.

The soldier turned his muzzle aside.

“Come on out,” Naiwei called.

David moved forward with cautious steps. “Have you considered my offer? I know you don’t have much time.”

“How do I know you can guarantee my safety?” she asked.

“I can take you to a small colony of humans. They have a doctor.”

Her eyes hardened in distrust. “They will interrogate me.”

“No, they won’t. We already know everything that happens in your camp. As soon as the decompression chamber is built, your people plan on sending you back to China to kill your daughter.”

Naiwei staggered back. “My daughter? How do you know what I’m carrying?”

“I know. She is developing well, too.”

Naiwei began to shake. “We are under orders to take you to Wong Fang. Do not struggle and you won’t be harmed.”

“I will not fight you.” David walked up to Naiwei.

She spoke to the soldier and he stepped in behind David.

The vadelah’s sonic pulses showed him the machinegun barrel pointed at his back. Yavana, protect me.

As they entered the camp, other soldiers ran up, guns ready, to escort the prisoner. Wong Fang emerged from a supply tent. His eyes alighted on David. Walking with vigor, Fang addressed Naiwei.

“I see you have brought him. Good.”

“I can translate for you, if you wish,” Naiwei offered.

He grunted his assent and turned to David. “Who are you?”

Naiwei interpreted.

David stood as still as stone.

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