Chapter Five #2
“That’s possible,” Azazel assured her. “I tried to do a brief scan on you to test it, but I couldn’t penetrate the mental shield over your mind. Which is good, since it’ll keep the Krystalii from invading your thoughts as well.”
Now that was something she could get behind. Maybe she had a chance to keep Lord crystal-creepy-ass out of her head.
“I’m surprised those ancient battle suits chose you,” Laytrii observed, her crystalline emerald features catching the light as she spoke. “How unusual.”
Kaelith regarded them with a calculating gaze. The streaks of violet in his obsidian eyes widened.
“They may aid you, but do not trust your safety to them alone. Since the ones who created them didn’t live long enough to conduct adequate tests on them, they remain unpredictable. It’d be unfortunate if they crashed just when your survival depended on them.”
“Noted.” Azazel’s tone was smooth. “However, can we go over a few things before we retire for the night?”
On his shoulder, JR14’s spider-shaped red-and-gold metallic frame gleamed in the low light. The android’s iridescent wings flicked once, a lilting, mechanical sound. Azazel took his previous seat with Toni nearby.
Once everyone settled, Vaeloryx leaned forward, his angular features set in stern lines.
“Please begin, human.”
Toni’s mouth dried. She hoped Azazel wouldn’t say anything to jeopardize their alliance.
Azazel began.
“I’ve been thinking about what we did before when I found Toni.” He gave her a sideways glance with a serene smile. He turned back to the Krystalii. “And I believe we should repeat what we did earlier, but with a few changes.”
Kaelith crossed his bulky crystalline arms. The movement made a soft, grinding sound, like stone shifting.
“What exactly do you propose?” His voice held a note of interest, but his skepticism remained clear.
“The first thing we should do is sabotage the energy core of the Nyrlith.” Azazel put up his hand to forestall questions. “Just enough to disrupt the systems and force Baelon to divert resources to make the needed repairs.”
“Disrupting the Energy Crux is all well and good, but what of Baelon’s psychic network, the Nexus Core?” Saphirae’s voice carried a weight of quiet authority. “Without destroying that first, his forces could stop us with very little effort.”
Azazel sat back and steepled his fingers.
“That’s the second part of this. Since Baelon and his Elites won’t recognize my psychic signature, Toni and I will infiltrate the Nexus Core at the same time you create chaos when you take down the Energy Crux.
Your insight into the ship’s systems is invaluable—” He nodded at Vaeloryx.
“—and you have a much better chance at amplifying the disruption there than I would.”
Tharion looked from Vaeloryx to Azazel.
“That sounds risky.” His eyes narrowed. “And no one has mentioned the Dimensional Rift Epicenter that creates a pathway between our dimensions. Without neutralizing that, Baelon’s invasion force can continue gathering unlimited resources from there. He’ll be unstoppable if that stays open.”
Toni flipped her hair behind her shoulder. That was the whole kit and caboodle, wasn’t it? Disabling the ship and the Nexus Core wouldn’t matter if they couldn’t close that portal.
“That takes us to the third phase,” Azazel continued.
“When Toni and I disrupt the Nexus Core at the same time you take out the Energy Crux, it’ll divide Baelon’s forces even more.
And once that happens, it’ll give us the perfect opportunity to sabotage the Dimensional Rift.
From what I can tell from the map you’ve shown us, it’s by the Nexus Core.
During the chaos, Toni and I should have enough time to shut the Rift down as well.
” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs.
“Once that’s done, I’ll contact my allies in this galaxy and ask them to converge on the Nyrlith with an overwhelming force that will prevent him from taking control back. ”
Toni snorted. Oh sure. Easy-peasy.
JR14 clicked his front pincers together.
“Statistical probability of success: 38 percent, factoring in current resources and known variables,” he observed. “Advice: organic male and female should retain optimistic outlook.”
Toni shot the android an amused glare.
“Wow. Way better pep talk, widget-wonder.”
Azazel’s full lips turned up in a half-smile, but he didn’t comment.
Vaeloryx tapped his crystalline fingers on his thigh, the sound sharp and deliberate.
“Your plan carries a heavy reliance on coordination and timing. What assurance do we have that you can handle the interference at the Dimensional Rift Epicenter? And just how will you contact these allies to do as you say? I warn you, Baelon’s reach far extends beyond this ship.
He may have already eliminated whatever allies you think you have. ”
Toni stilled as doubt flared. She pressed her lips together and clamped down on the sensation. As she struggled, a warming flow from the suit delivered added strength to her mental shields, giving her a chance to breathe in a sigh of relief. Now wasn’t a good time to drown in doubt.
“I assure you, that is something I am not concerned with.” Azazel sat back and rubbed his scruffy jawline. “I have every confidence they are even now ready to board the Nyrlith at a moment’s notice. Once I disable the Nexus Core, I can open an outside psychic path with them.”
Kaelith leaned forward.
“And what about casualties? Your plan puts a lot of our people in harm’s way.” He turned to the female sitting next to him, the one Toni wasn’t familiar with. The creature looked as if her body was composed of moonstone, with soft hues of blue and lavender covered by an opalescent sheen.
“Lyrentha,” Kaelith continued. “Do you think your healing could handle the influx of casualties if things get out of hand?”
The female opened her mouth, then closed it as her lilac eyes narrowed. After a moment, she nodded.
“I believe I can.” She swept her elegant hand to a group of rebels behind her. “There are others I can call on to aid me if necessary. However—” She looked from Toni to Azazel. “—I am not familiar enough with your species to be of much help if something traumatic happens to you.”
“That’s a risk we’re willing to take.” Toni spoke up for the first time. Meeting Lyrentha’s piercing gaze, she kept her face relaxed and squared her shoulders. “But I think we have to act as soon as possible before Baelon finds out what we’re up to.”
“I agree.” Azazel addressed the Krystalii in his even tone. “I’m grateful we are working together to create a positive outcome. Thank you.” He put his hand over his heart and gave a brief nod.
Toni’s chest warmed, her heart thundering. She admired the conviction in his leadership.
For a moment, silence hung heavily in the chamber.
When Saphirae spoke, her tone remained measured.
“It is possible, that for the first time, with the help of these two—” Her crystal face smoothed as she spoke. “—the impossible is finally within our reach. We can finish what needs to be done to free our people.”
Kaelith tilted his head.
“Agreed. This plan has enough merits to outweigh the potential risks.”
Vaeloryx looked at his obsidian companion before nodding.
“Very well. But know this—” His gaze swept over the group, not just those at the table but all the rebels in the room. “—failure is not an option. This will be our only chance to go against Baelon and his Elites. The survival of our people depends on it. Do all of you agree?”
Another silence before several crystal heads either nodded or voiced their agreements.
Toni exhaled a silent breath. Maybe, just maybe, if everything went according to plan, they’d avoid the annihilation of their standard way of life in the Milky Way galaxy.
Vaeloryx, along with the other Krystalii, decided on the various tasks as the meeting wound down. All too soon, the rebels dispersed into separate groups and began preparations.
Toni lingered, her thoughts heavy. She turned to Azazel.
“So, be honest. What do you really think?” She narrowed her eyes. “Do we stand a chance with this crazy plan?”
“Yes, I believe so.” He tilted his chin toward the Krystalii. “It helps that they see this as their last chance to stand against the tyrant ruling their lives,” Azazel said in a low voice as he watched the Krystalii. “We’ve given them a hope I doubt they’ve ever experienced before.”
JR14 clicked his front claws.
“Even the slightest mistake can shatter the fragile construct of hope. Recommend continuous monitoring of the Krystalii to ensure compliance.”
Azazel nodded with a wry smile.
“So noted, kalu. That will be your assignment.”
“Affirmed, ocua.”
“Toni—” He leaned close, his voice lowered to a husky tone. “—I can tell you’re exhausted. Why don’t we find that quiet place to sleep?”
Toni nodded. He was right. Like a balloon losing air, she slumped in her seat. She was beyond tired. It was a stretch just to keep her eyes open. The weight of everything she’d experienced crashed through her. It looked like saving the galaxy had to be put on hold for now. Beauty sleep first.
Azazel hadn’t realized how tricky it would be to explain sleep to a crystalline alien who didn’t even know it existed.
The notion only began to make sense to the Krystalii when Vaeloryx brought in their healer, Lyrentha, who outlined how it worked.
Once the lecture was done, Vaeloryx offered to create a bed for them, which Azazel politely refused. He could generate a perfect sleeping pad for the two of them, much better than a creature made of glass and crystals could.
The Krystalii male led them to a semi-private room large enough for Azazel to create a comfortable pad for himself and Toni.
Speaking of Toni, her silence throughout the process worried him. Her head hung low, and her breathing was shallow. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear the woman slept where she sat.