The Circadia Chronicles: Omnibus: The Complete Colonization Sci-Fi Series by Heather Heckadon (portable ebook reader .txt) 📕

the video of you standing up to Leslie and offering your own life for others' was transmitted through, we knew. We stand with you, Aella.”

“Let’s give ‘em hell Aella,” Phillip said.

“Let’s go!” Jane ran up from behind and stopped when she stood next to me. Searching the dark woods for any movement, her eyes darted back and forth.

I turned to Jane, still in shock. “We don’t have to run anymore, but we do have somewhere we need to be.”

GUN

CHAPTER ONE

"We'll be negotiating with monsters."

"That may be, but we still have to be careful we don't become monsters ourselves." I gazed out the window to look back at Circadia as we left for Earth. The large globe filled the sky and reflected the sun’s rays off its beautiful green and purple floriculture created by the thriving life blasted through dark and empty space.

"That shouldn't be too hard, right?" Smith asked. He cocked his head as he stared at me quizzically. Smith always had such clear values. The difference between black and white, right and wrong. This wasn't a simple question, but I didn't think he'd understand.

"I'm not sure." The truth was, I already felt like a monster. I could only imagine what made one, but if I had to pick two emotions I thought would combine to create an atrocity, it would be fear and anger. Those were the only emotions I felt. I was angry at losing Garrett, my friends, and my new home. I was scared I would lose the fight I had to pick to get some of those things back. I was mad I had to fight in the first place and to be honest, I was scared of myself. I was terrified I was so angry, I wouldn't have enough self-control to manage the situation correctly.

I shot a glance up toward the front of the craft where the Herrold brothers maneuvered through space with ease. The ship flew horizontally and was the size of a small airplane, maybe a little bigger, but not by much. Circadia’s and the moon’s light through the windows, plus the glow of the control panels in front of the brothers, were the only lights in the dark cabin. "When we get there, where will we land?"

Phillip Herrold leaned over and back in his black leather chair to talk. He looked back out of the corner of his eye to check the hull. "We'll land in Mumbai, also known as Bombay, India. Our facilities are right outside the city. I think you'll like it, although it was in much better shape before the war."

"Been pretty rough, eh?" Smith asked.

"Rough would be an understatement." Phillip Herrold sighed. "Be prepared." He straightened in his seat and went back to helping Ross with the ship.

Smith and I shared glances in the darkness. I watched as his thumbs moved back and forth and occasionally glinted in the light. He did that when he was anxious, I noticed.

"How long until we get ready to re-enter orbit?" I asked.

Ross Herrold answered over his shoulder. "Another six hours or so. These ships are compact and quick, but we still have some time."

Jane sat next to me with her mouth wide open and eyes shut, fast asleep as she slumped in her seat harness. She’d pulled her blonde hair back, but a wisp of it hung in front of her face and moved back and forth with each breath she took. "We'll let her sleep then," I said to Smith.

"I'm not sure what you or she went through back there, but I'm sure you both need the rest. It's okay if you want to relax, too."

I nodded.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I can't speak for her, but I think I'm okay. I mean," I struggled for the words. "I mean, I'm not okay, but I have to be. Right?" I looked up from under my lashes to see Smith's look of pain. His face twisted like his stomach was in knots.

"What happened back there?"

"Everyone turned against each other. They shot the crewmen right in front of me. I don't know if it was our group or theirs that shot them. The crew leader told me to run before he died, so I did. Eventually, I got tired. I couldn't go anymore. I stopped in time for them to turn against each other, which gave me a breather and a chance to break away again. I kept running until I came upon these guys." I nodded toward the front of the craft to indicate the two brothers. "They saved me. Then told me about the whole Earth deal and about the weapon they have. Then you guys showed up," I said.

"Tell me again. What do the Herrolds have to use as a weapon?"

"Well, hopefully, we won't have to use it. I only want it as a negotiating tool. Anyway, they have a 'god rod.'"

"And that is?"

"Basically, a nuclear bomb without the nuclear part. No fallout. No years of useless ground, but with the same impact and detonation. These huge, steel rods drop from space, so when they hit their target, they go boom," I explained. "They said I decide when, where, and why."

"That's crazy. That's a big decision for one person to make. Why do you think they decided to give up that power?" He was clearly baffled.

"Would you want to make that decision?"

"No way! Not me."

"That's why." I hadn't thought about the responsibility they handed me until I said it. What an awful thing to decide and control. I wonder if they would've given me that right if they knew how I felt. It didn't matter. It was mine now. I looked at Jane while trying to clear the dark thoughts. "I wonder how she made it to us. It's like everything was timed perfectly."

"Pretty crazy to think it ended up being us three. I wonder how everyone is doing down there? We left so suddenly," he said.

"I don't know. We couldn't risk taking the time to find everyone and tell