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

“Graeme was very close with Rufus. The others who supported him initially aren’t so bad. They didn’t seem to care for him too much in the end.”

“Well, at least we’ve weeded them out, even if it’s the worst way imaginable to weed out wankers.”

She laughed, a beautiful sound I’d missed so very much. “I see you haven’t lost your unique way with words.”

“I don’t ever intend to lose my descriptive abilities, even when I’m max level.” I grinned.

“Good to hear,” she said with a loving punch to my arm.

“I hope this cell is closer to the docking bay than Astrid’s. I know I said I wanted a romantic walk with you, but this isn’t what I intended.”

“You still owe me though.”

At Graeme’s cell, Ember opted to stay outside once more. “I’m just done with these fuckers,” she said sadly. “I hope to never see them again.”

“What if he says he’s sorry?” I asked. “If he wants to come back on board with us?”

“Then he’s lying through his fucking teeth,” she replied and said no more.

I turned to enter and faced another problem. “Uhm, it’s welded shut.”

“Shit! Sorry, Shaun, I never even thought of that, the Torax were acting as lock and key.”

“I’ll get in, don’t worry,” I promised and then asked Havok, “Fancy a job, mate?”

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” he said, “After what I have just been through as well?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “I’ll admit it’s a little ironic.”

“Just get it over with,” he groaned. I pulled him over my shoulder and in the same fluid movement I hit the weld on the door. Havok flared his plasma field on. He sliced through like a hot knife through butter. Returning him to my back, I hit the door access pad and entered the room. Graeme’s eyes widened, and while I expected to see fear, I saw only contempt in his eyes.

“You did not bring the bitch with you? Was she too scared to come and face me, after locking me away all this time?” he said, coming to his feet from the bed.

I punched him on pure instinct, sending him flying backwards onto the bed. His head pointed in entirely the wrong direction as he crumpled against the wall. I shrugged. Fuck it, he had attacked Ember, there was no coming back from that.

“I accept your resignation from Uprising, Graeme.” The first words I’d ever said to him were wasted, because he was dead. I looked at my fist. “Definitely stronger,” I mused to Havok. “That was just a tap!”

“You couldn’t just let me kill him, could you?” Havok said. “I’m getting desperate, Shaun.”

“I didn’t mean to kill him straight away. And I didn’t just charge you right up?”

“It’s not just about that though, is it?”

“You mean you're a maniac?” I pointed out and left the room to find Ember looking at me expectantly.

“Ember, my dear,” I said, offering an arm. “Graeme has met an unintended but necessary demise. Now I think it’s time to leave. This place is becoming rather depressing.”

“You’ve killed him?”

“Like I said, an unintended consequence of a purely instinctual right hook.”

“I wish I felt bad, but I really don’t,” she said linking my arm. “One less asshole in the galaxy.”

Chapter 19

Stockholm Syndrome

“Astrid and the others won’t be accompanying us,” I announced to the crew as Ember and I took seats amongst our friends on the transporter ship. Mick and Gus were deep in conversation. Calegg was lying back in his chair with his eyes closed, like he was on a sunny beach soaking up some rays. I guess he was just incredibly happy to be off the station. Elyek and Acclo were also chatting, but politely stopped for a moment to acknowledge me. What a difference in how I felt about these seats when they were filled with people I knew and loved.

“I surmised as much,” Ogun replied. “Their presence among your people would have been untenable.” He was sitting more upright in the worn chair than I thought would be possible, given its shape.

“I’m surprised to hear you say that, Ogun. I always thought you and Astrid were close. She was your second on the Thoth,” I said, recalling seeing them both together. To my surprise, I couldn’t actually remember seeing much interaction between them. As the thought developed, I realised that I hadn’t seen Ogun spend much time with anyone.

“I try not to get too close to anyone. Astrid was my second on her own merit. She has removed herself from Uprising on her own merit too.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Ember added as she pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her feet on the chair.

“Hey Ogun, you’ve been with the Uprising for a month now, are you still pulling all that I will not get involved in your disputes shit?” I asked because it irritated me massively.

“Yes, he is,” Ember answered on his behalf. “Don’t get me wrong, Ogun, I’ll admit you were a big help on the station. But there were times when you stood back and let things unfold that you could have smoothed over. It makes you come off like you don’t have any skin in the game, when you really do.”

“It is because I don’t wish to influence you in the ways of the Fystr,” he said solemnly. “We have discussed this before. I only wished to set you free from our bondage and put you on a path where you can rise or fall of your own accord.”

“I call that bullshit!” I exclaimed and Ialos laughed.

Ogun looked perturbed by her response but didn’t reply.

“Look, Ogun, as you can see, we’ve all been through a lot. We’re big boys and girls now. So if you're part of Uprising, I’m gonna need you to be a bit more assertive.” Ember started laughing now, and Ogun looked like he didn’t know where to put himself.

“I understand what you are saying, but it is my belief…”

“Hold up,” I said,