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

“As always, it’s my pleasure. I have taken the liberty of placing the alpha team in rooms next to each other. I have counted Ogun among us, as I assumed that would be your wish.”

“Yeah, I think that’ll be for the best for now, Acclo. Thank you.”

With a nod of acceptance, they left to work on rooms for the prisoners. So I went to find Astrid. I’d been sensing tension from her already, and after what had unfolded with Rufus, it was time we had a talk. I found her sitting in our new canteen, talking quietly to a few other crew members from the Thoth. I went and stood near the table to catch her eye rather than interrupt. She looked up at me, waiting, then went back to talking, as if my presence wasn’t obvious. I’d always liked Astrid up until that point.

“Hey, Astrid. Could you spare a few minutes, please,” I asked, fighting my impulse to call her an ignorant bitch.

With a nod, she rose smoothly from the chair without speaking and I led her off to a quiet corner of the canteen and sat. She joined me, her expression unreadable.

“How are you doing?” I asked her.

“How you’d expect I’d imagine.”

“Tell me. I sense you’re not exactly happy.”

“I am confused, terrified, and tired. Tired of the constant tension and drama, ever since we came across you and Shaun again. We may have been struggling before, but in some ways, I think it was preferable to the horrendous rollercoaster we’ve been on since.” Despite her words, she spoke with surprising calm.

I was surprised by her outburst, but supposed it was better to clear the air. “I can understand that. I'd like to say things were only intense after we were abandoned on Xonico, but really my life has been one constant rollercoaster for as long as I can remember.”

“Maybe. It just feels like sometimes you and Shaun actively look for trouble.”

“We don’t, but you’re entitled to your view,” I said, more sharply than I intended.

“And then there’s the situation with Rufus. Despite his shortcomings, he has tried hard to please you both, yet you continue to ignore him and show so little respect. Now he finds himself unconscious, waiting to be put in a cell.” Her voice was starting to grow more heated. I was about to rebuke her, but she was on a roll.

“Then! You explicitly told us you wouldn’t have Ogun back in charge, and yet you instantly put him in a position above me and Rufus, without a second thought, despite the fact he deserted us all. What kind of message do you think that sends to both Rufus and I?”

“That just isn’t the case, Astrid. I wish you could see the whole thing from my perspective, but I see that’s too much to ask.”

“And I wish you could see the whole thing from my perspective, which is why I’m wasting my time trying to explain it to you now!” she snapped, losing much of her composure. “Even by voicing these thoughts, I’m putting my position in jeopardy. I am sure I will wind up in a cell too!”

“Bloody hell, Astrid. I actually thought we were friends. I’m gobsmacked to hear you like this. If you’re struggling so much, can I ask if you have any suggestions on how we move forward?” I asked. I suggest I kick you in your fucking teeth, I thought to myself.

“Release Rufus for a start and try to work through your differences. He’s not a bad man.”

“Okay. I’ll agree to speaking with him once we're all settled and see if we can come to some kind of arrangement.”

“You should release his men too. I’ve no doubt he’ll keep them in line.”

Laughing, I answered, “Absolutely no fucking way, Astrid. I’ll be drawing the line there. For a start Graeme attacked me, and I won’t allow the kind of shit he was spouting about different races to become acceptable. As if this situation isn’t bad enough already.”

“Oh, so you intend to control how the people of Uprising think now?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“That's a bit of a shitty way to look at it, Astrid. You know I'm just trying to make sure we survive this. There’s no way I’m not intervening when they’ve openly declared a dislike for our alien members, based solely on the fact that they’re aliens. It’s fucking stupid.”

“Only Graeme expressed those feelings. Should the others suffer based on his words?”

“Alright. No, they shouldn’t, and in the interests of peace and harmony, I’ll agree to speak with the other three prisoners.”

“Good. And I am happy to help guide you in future too, should you need help in navigating the more damaging aspects of your personality. You walk a slippery slope, Ember, be careful.”

“Me be careful?” I said in disbelief. “Astrid, like I said about Rufus, there’s no way you would be starting any of this shit if Shaun was still here. So why are you trying to pull it with me? Have I got a handle on my head?”

“A handle?” she asked, confused.

“Yeah, because you’re treating me like a damn mug?”

“I most certainly am not. There would be no point in bringing any of this up with Shaun because he wouldn’t listen, but I’m hoping you will.”

I sat in silence for a moment and thought about it for a minute. I hated myself for again thinking, what would Shaun do? Nonetheless, I was glad that I had. Astrid was completely right. Shaun wouldn’t listen to a goddamn word of this shit. I almost laughed out loud when it hit me. “Astrid, I finally find myself agreeing with something you’ve said.” Her eyes lit up with some perceived victory, until I got up to walk away without saying another word.

“Where are you going?” she asked, shocked by my sudden move.

“Away from this dumbass conversation.”

“What do you mean? You said I was right?”

“Yeah, about Shaun not listening to this shit. We need to survive and thrive. He