Condition Evolution 4 by Kevin Sinclair (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

You understand there has never been anyone in Fystr memory with his Potential? I do not even comprehend exactly what it might mean, but we’re looking at the prospect of him becoming what you might even consider a god. A Universal Lord.”

“Jezai said something along those lines when he found out about it,” I said casually. As soon as I saw Ogun’s expression, I felt stupid. “Shit,” I groaned. “They took him, didn’t they… because of his Potential?”

Ogun nodded his head sadly. “I would assume so.”

“I knew we shouldn’t have told that piece of shit!” I shouted at the ceiling, gritting my teeth in anger.

“It’s not your fault, Ember, and rest assured we’ll do everything in our power to get him back,” Ogun said soothingly.

“I’m sure Shaun will be doing everything in his power, too.”

“You must prepare for the possibility that they may have killed him. He is a dangerous entity to have roaming around the galaxy.”

“I don’t think they would, but they better fucking hope they haven't,” I said darkly. I had no idea what I could do, but I’d die trying.

Right then, the red light above the door turned to green. I wasted no time, jumping up and hitting the panel by the side of the door. A moment of uncertainty flowed to joy as the door finally hissed open. I stepped out before taking a look back, relieved to see Ogun had got to his feet and was following. We moved out into a long metallic corridor, much like what I'd come to expect from a spaceship. Relief flooded me as other crewmates emerged, just as bewildered as I was.

William was in the next closest room to us and quickly made his way over. “Wha’ the bloody 'ell’s goin’ on ‘ere?”

“We don't know, but we're working on the assumption that the Apochros have kidnapped us for some reason, but don't seem intent on hurting us.”

“The sly bastards,” he growled, giving his beard a scratch. He looked behind me. “Nice te see ye up and aboot there, Ogun. Glad yer wi’ us. Even if yer did fuck off ‘n leave us all in the lurch.”

“Yes, William, I’m happy to be back with you all too. And, while I owe you all an apology and explanation, it must wait until we have a clearer understanding of our current predicament, and when we have everyone together. It won’t do to keep repeating myself to everyone we meet.”

“Aye, whatever’s best, just dinnae drop us in the shite again, if ye can help it.”

“I promise I won't, if I can help it,” Ogun answered, adding emphasis on the last few words.

“Okay, enough of that crap for now,” I interrupted. “We need to find Shaun first. If he's here.”

“Why would’n he be?” William asked.

“Again, an explanation best saved for later. We need to look for him, and round up everyone else as we go,” I instructed, before tromping with purpose down the corridor with Ogun and William in my wake. There were questioning looks as we went, but I just repeated the same line: “If you know anything important, tell me, otherwise follow. We don't have time for the same conversation 200 times!”

Some dumb bastards still tried to ask me what was going on. I offered my best scowl and continued.

The corridor had a slight curve to it, giving no indication as to how long it went on for. We moved down it for what felt like an eternity, with the odd crewmate joining us at regular intervals. Astrid, Rufus, Mick, and Gus were all now accounted for, falling in alongside us at the head of the growing column. What did worry me was the lack of Veiletian and Torax members who were still nowhere to be seen.

We just kept moving down the endless corridor until it eventually opened into a wide-domed metallic hall. It was huge and awe-inspiring. I turned to Ogun and the captains. “This is some fucking-sized spaceship we’re on!”

“I’m beginning to fear we’ve merely scratched the surface,” Ogun replied.

“Ye wonder if we’re on one o’ their fancy outposts?” William offered.

“They did say they had a ton of them, and they’re unmanned. Could be a good place to dump us,” I replied.

“It would seem more likely than a spaceship or even a prison at this point,” Ogun added.

“Shit, that's a scary thought though. Let’s shelve it until we’ve at least found Shaun and the rest of the crew. If they’re even here.”

“As they are not of Fystr ancestry, the Apochros may have let them go free,” Ogun said.

“It’s beginning to look that way, or they’ve segregated us. For all they claim to be all holier than thou, we didn’t come across other races on their home planet. They could be up their own asses, like all other Fystr we know about,” I replied.

There was clearly no one in the large hall, so we made our way across the vast hall to another corridor. A few hundred meters along this next section, we heard voices. I stopped, holding my hand up to halt everyone and listen. We’d just been walking blindly so far, which was pretty fucking stupid. The place appeared empty, but it was still a big assumption to make that there were no hostiles in here with us.

“Fingers crossed, it’s the rest of the crew. Still, we need to move with care,” I said to those behind me in a hushed whisper.

“Sure,” Astrid whispered, while I just received nods of acceptance from the others.

Rufus looked as bitter as he did during the meeting on the Uprising.

We formed up six abreast to move forwards, slowly approaching the voices. To my huge relief, there was no mistaking our Torax crewmates. Calparr, Calegg and Koparr were talking in the center of the group, keeping order and calm. I saw their faces lighten at my arrival.

“Thank the stars you're here, Ember. Where is Shaun?” Calegg said, his face full of relief at seeing me.

I felt like a charlatan, for my presence to give