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

I realize that would be a total dick move, and I didn’t really mean it. But still.

“Besides, I would miss you after how much time we have spent together this past month.”

My cheeks flushed. “Oh… yeah, for sure.”

Jezai then interrupted to ask, “Are you okay, Shaun?”

“Of course I am,” I answered.

Ialos was smirking at me. Jezai looked oblivious, which was fine by me.

Chapter 18

Dual POV Dies For Now

The transport ship was exactly that. Made to carry stuff. I was expecting some gorgeous, sleek machine, being from an advanced race. But it was essentially just a rough-ass looking block of hollow metal. Still, it would serve its purpose. I boarded with Ialos and we made our way through a large open loading area into a seating area beyond—and when I say seating, I mean thousands of them, row upon row, like the worst airplane imaginable. I looked to Ialos and asked, “Are they taking the piss? This thing is a dump!”

“You made the demand to leave for the station today, so if I assume correctly, this would be the only ship available at such short notice,” Ialos reasoned, as if she was explaining to a child.

“That’s fair enough. But what the hell do you use it for anyway? It’s the most uninspiring ship I’ve ever come across.”

“It looks to be an older ship, probably from one of our neighbors. Would you like to see the captain and find out?”

“Sure, I don’t much fancy sitting here,” I complained, looking at the manky seats. “Plus, we need to contact the station to let them know I’m on my way!”

“This ship won't be able to communicate with the station. But my father will have alerted your people of our arrival. Before we go up, can I ask that you leave the axe here? You will put the bridge crew on edge showing up like that.”

“No chance!” Havok yelled. “Tell her, Shaun!”

“Chill out, man,” I answered aloud for Ialos’s benefit, “I’m not leaving you.”

She eyeballed me. “A rather dramatic way of saying no, don’t you think?”

“I didn’t intend it like that. I was more killing two birds with one stone.”

“Killing birds?” She looked at me like I’d lost it.

“Earth expression, don't worry about it. Shall we go then?” I asked.

While I didn't become any more impressed with the ship, I understood why it was a shit tip when I met the aliens. They were, to my mind, a hybrid between Humans and Insects. Pretty freaky, but they turned out to be pretty relaxed. They were a mining ship and had just delivered a few thousand tons of ore to Accre. They kindly agreed to take on this job, though I had no doubt they were getting well paid for it.

We stayed on the bridge, and I enjoyed listening to the banter between the crew. Though it had the effect of making me miss everyone so much more. What I didn’t relish was how long it was taking to get to the station, travelling nearly two whole days. This ship moved like a damn snail.

When we approached the station, I stood looking out of the front display. My stomach was doing cartwheels with anticipation and nervous excitement.

It was going to be so good to see everyone again. Fuck it, part of me even wanted to see Rufus, even if it was just a very tiny part. As we drew closer, I headed off to the exit of the ship with Ialos in tow. Several of the ship’s crew encouraged me to stand further back from the huge airlock door in case of any mishaps. I didn’t care and refused to budge. Havok was chirping constantly on my back, just as eager. The door opened to reveal a docking bay, filled with the people I loved.

“Hola, people! Long time, no see,” I shouted out.

A massive cheer met me, and I barely made it down the ramp before Ember was in my arms. A truly joyous occasion.

“Thank god you’re back with us, and I’m sorry for piling leadership on you. It’s the fucking pits.”

“Hahaha! Not for me, I don’t really do anything. You, Elyek and Acclo do most of it for me.”

“I think you do more than you know,” she said quietly into my chest as others gathered around, making me wonder what the hell had gone down for her to be acting this way. She seemed changed from the woman I remembered. I squeezed her a little tighter for a moment, then looked at everyone else. “Right then, you rabble, shall we get you all the fuck off this station?”

A chorus of various shouts in the affirmative rang in my ears as everyone piled onto the ship, patting me on the arm or shoulder as they passed. It seemed everyone had touched me in some way. Like they couldn’t believe I was real, mixed with thanks for coming to set us free. It struck me then, that there were absent faces.

Ember, the members of my Alpha team, and Ogun who was talking with Ialos remained by my side while everyone else boarded.

“I need to talk to you, Shaun,” said Ember, all serious. “We’ve had trouble while we’ve been stuck here.”

“I could sense there was something. What’s happened? Was the station attacked?”

“No,” she said sadly, “it was with our own people.”

I noticed everyone else was quiet too.

“Who? Tell me who’s been causing shit and I'll kick their asses,” I snarled.

“Rufus was first. I had to lock him up with a few others. I tried to sort it out with him, but he attacked me.”

“That bastard! Where the fuck is he now?”

“Dead. I broke his neck in the fight,” she explained, almost wincing as she spoke.

“Good for you, the piece of shit. He’s lucky you did it, cause I wouldn’t have let him off with a broken neck.”

Havok passionately added his words of wisdom. “No, I would’ve shaved pieces off him until he passed out, then healed him up to do it all over again.”

“And,” I said