Counselman Esio coughed several times in one hand before hunching over. He held the left side of his torso with the other as every cough brought about more pain. When he lifted his hand from his side, blood covered his fingers. A small hole under his rib cage dented the silver and gold plated armor. The entrance to his wound oozed as he fell to his knees weakened. The Counselman dropped down to one knee then collapsing before the others noticed.

  “Sir!” Jaca was the first one...

  Esio was no small man either. Standing six foot and some inches tall, Esio had the build of a Greek-god. His short black hair looked silkier than usual due to the sweat beads that formed all over his olive tan colored skin. For centuries, Esio was considered the heartthrob among the Stellan residents. His chiseled features, deep blue eyes and rock-hard body made him stand out from all the other men on Stella. However, at the moment, the Greek-god look-a-like was a hunch over in the fetal position in pain and agony.

  “Father!” Both Sakiya and Kahree ran behind Jaca to assist. “Call the medics!” One of them yelled out. Before the girls could fully turn their heads, Jaca was already at the door contacting someone on the medical emergency line. He may be tall and skinny but was swift and quick like a shadow. Esio turned from his back to knees again and began to tear off his armor little bits at a time. The armor was suffocating and made it hard to reach whatever was piercing his side.

  Piece by piece came off. First, Esio unclipped his cape from his shoulders. Next, the armor that covered his torso. Once unclipped, he pulled the metal cover over his head leaving his flesh exposed. There was a small gash in his rib cage. The cut oozed blood as Esio roared in agony. The war hero, now Counselman, collapsed again. Jaca and the girls ran to his side trying to comfort him somehow but was confused by all the commotion. They didn’t understand how a cut so small could be causing this much pain. Just then, Jaca noticed the small beam of light shining through red liquid. “There! Girls stay back! It’s a piece of an essence stone inside the wound. If we don’t get it out, it will kill the Counselman.”

  Jaca sprang to his feet and ran to a bottle of what resembled ale from the table. He quickly opened the bottle and poured it on his hands. Returning to the Counselman just as fast, Jaca began trying to pull the piece of stone from Esio’s side. Jaca and the girls didn’t know how long it would take the medics to reach them since they had their hands full with the others. Yesterday’s attack threw everything into disarray. No one was at their normal posts, not even the Queens. They also had to be evacuated to a safe location.

  Esio roared some more as Jaca dug his index finger and thumb into his superior’s side. The girls could tell their father was struggling to stay awake. Large sweat beads formed all over his body as Jaca twisted and turned to get a good grip on the stone. In one strong tub, the stone was freed from Esio’s rib cage. He let out a huge exhale and allowed his body to fully relax. Jaca, Sakiya and Kahree could multiple footsteps coming down the hallway towards them. It was the medics, finally the group thought to themselves.

  Esio turned as fast as he could and grabbed Jaca’s arm. “Go with them.” His voice faint and soft. “Get them out of here before anyone sees, now Jaca.” Esio again took deep breaths returning his head to the floor. He turned his sweat covered head towards his adopted daughters and said, “Go... Jaca will explain everything.” He began coughing up blood once again. “Now... I’ll be fine.”

  With little hesitation, Jaca grabbed Sakiya and Kahree by the arm and guided them towards the back of the sanctuary. The entrance reserved for the queens... Before the wood door closed shut, Sakiya looked back one more time at the man she called father. Four medics dressed in white coveralls surrounded the Counselman as he met his daughter’s gaze for the last time. One more time before the point of no return. Jaca hurried the girls through the halls as quickly as possible.

  There was still a lot of commotion as the hallways were filled with workers, refugees, and the soldiers who were trying to keep the peace. Although the attack was hours ago, the fear still lingered in the air. Esio ordered for the remaining refugees and any others who wanted to leave Stella to be transported to another refugee safe haven, Sage’s moon Blackius. Large transport carriers filled the other half of the courtyard. In total four carriers came and went, the ones who remained volunteered to help clean up the aftermath of the attack.

  While the girls dashed down the halls to their private quarters, Jaca saw a handful of lower ranked Counselman heading their way. He quickly pushed the girls into a nearby room and told them to be quiet. Sakiya and Kahree confused looked behind them to see what the trouble was. “Shh. Don’t make a sound.” Jaca held the door cracked opened just enough to peek outside. “Ok, they passed let’s go.”

  “Wait!” Sakiya grabbed Jaca’s arm before he could exit. “What’s going on Jaca? Why are we hiding from the Star Counselman?”

  Kahree had the same stern look on her face as she stood behind her sister. She wanted to know too. Jaca looked down at his feet then exhaled before answering, “I will explain everything I can once we get on the carrier. I promise...” Again, Jaca peeked outside the door trying to see who was outside.

  “Hold on, we just left our father laying there on the ground bleeding to death. Come on, Jaca... We need to know if we’re in trouble.” Sakiya held on to Jaca’s arm as she looked him in the eyes. Her expression was of concern and not anger.

  “All I can say at this moment is we’re not safe here. Your father wanted this mission to be off the record for a very good reason. Now please, let’s get going.” Jaca extended his arm towards the cracked door.

  “If we’re trying to go unseen than going through the main hallways is not the way to do it.” Kahree stated as a matter of fact. “We need to go through the back tunnels. Yes, the ones that were supposed to be caved in or blocked off. Well, that was just a rumor...” She flipped her thick bronze mane before finishing her sentence. “How do you think I get around so fast?”

  “Just show us where they are!” Sakiya snapped her sister out of her narcissist trance. Kahree shrugged with a frown on her face as she looked around.

  “This isn’t the conference room. It’s the next one... The large picture of the Mother Queen is one of the entrances.” Sakiya and Jaca gave one another a look before returning to Kahree. Jaca shrugged his large boney shoulders like he had no idea about these secret tunnels. Kahree peeked outside and saw an opening. “Are you two just gonna stand there? Come on!” The three dashed down the hall into the next conference room. Jaca was the last inside. He slowly closed the door but before shutting it all the way peeked outside making sure they were clear. “There she is...” Murmured Kahree as she approached the window size painting of the now deceased Mother Queen.

  She reached behind the left side of the painting and pulled what sounded like a latch. Slowly the large painting separated from the wall on that side. Although the hinges were hidden behind the frame, they made a loud squeaking noise as Kahree opened it as far as it could go. Again, Sakiya and Jaca glanced at one another, surprised even, that Kahree knew about these tunnels and they didn’t. Before she hopped inside, Kahree emptied the large fruit bowl into her bag that was sitting on a small table next to the painting. Once she put the bowl down, she dashed inside the dark tunnels. Her company jumping in soon after.

  Jaca closed the latch gently as the girls turned on the light from the comms. Together, they lit the stone brick tunnels as far as the light would allow. Kahree went ahead since she was the only one who knew the way as Sakiya and Jaca looked around. “These tunnels...” Jaca explained. “Were supposed to be collapsed. There was an order to place explosives in the center so no one would be able to use them.”

  Kahree made a dismissive sound with her lips, “There is not one tunnel in here that’s collapsed. Whoever told you that Jaca didn’t want you down here.” He looked down in disappointment.

  “Who told you about this?” Sakiya nodded her head towards her sister.

  Kahree tried to hold back her smile by pressing her lips together. She almost looked ashamed to answer the question. “Well, you see, I wasn’t never ‘told’ about the tunnels. I just happened to stumble upon them is all.”

  Sakiya cut her eyes with disbelief, “Bullshit Ree... Tell us the truth. Who told you about these tunnels? Answer me or...”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “It was your father...” Jaca intervened. Both stopped and looked up at their giant assistant. “Esio hid you in the painting to shield you from someone. Am I right? I remember him telling me something of that nature.”

  Kahree nodded. “Yea, well I had broken curfew too many times, snuck out, brought too many ‘friends’ back with me. Mother Queen wanted to kick me out, telling Father I wasn’t ‘Angel’ material. So, one day she had enough I guess and confronted father. It just so happened that when she did, I was with him. Of course, father’s a quick thinker, he hid me behind the painting so she wouldn’t find me. After he begged her to let me stay, he opened the door, and I wasn’t there. I had wondered down the tunnels to see how big and vast it was throughout here. That’s when he explained me what they were used for and who made them. He made me swear that I would never use the tunnels unless it was an emergency. Well, I’ve been using them ever since.” Kahree scratched the back of her head while she giggled at the confession.

  “Kahree!” Sakiya screamed and it echoed through the tunnels like she had a microphone in her hand. No one could see anything ahead outside the range of the flashlights. The tunnels twist and turned to what felt like no end. Long brick walls that were covered with dirt and spider webs. Once they reached a certain point, it was clear not all the tunnels led to certain destinations. Some tunnels led to other tunnels which went in a different direction. It would be easy to get lost not knowing which door led the way out.

  “What? I wasn’t the only one using them trust me. There were plenty of times I had to hide so the others wouldn’t see me. We’re not that much further. Just around turn here and we should be at the ports.”

  “On that note, let’s finish our conversation on the carrier.” Again, Jaca intervened. “We cannot risk running into anyone right now.” Just as Kahree mentioned, their destination wasn’t much further. Kahree slowly opened one of many doors at the end of the hallway. The door led to a large service room in the back of the Port Station. The room was filled with cleaning supplies, tools, and small machines to service the carriers. “Look this way.” Jaca pointed to a nearby exit. As Sakiya was the last to leave the tunnel entrance, she noticed a big red sign saying keep out on the door. Much good that did, she whispered to herself.

  When the three entered the large room all but two carriers were gone. All of the fighter carriers that was equipped with at least the basic of defense systems were also gone. Jaca grabbed the key fob that powered the ship. There was a luxury carrier and the mail carrier transporter. They were literally the opposite to one another. Sakiya and Kahree both ran to the gold-plated floating yacht, called the Python when Jaca stopped them in their tracks. “We can’t use that one! The enemy would surely thing you are one of the Star Counsel members. We cannot afford anyone seeing or knowing where you are going. Come on, we will use the mail carrier.” Jaca stated as a matter of fact. The alternative was nothing in comparison. There was no wrap around kitchen, no spacious bathrooms or master bedrooms. The mail carrier only housed well, mail to the girls’ belief.

  The mail carrier doors beeped when Jaca pressed the buttons on the key fob. The doors squeaked and jerked opened. They could tell this carrier was old and needed servicing, at the moment however they cannot afford anything else. Just when all were getting on board, Jaca heard screaming coming from behind. “Hey, wait!” A guard ran towards the group with his hands in the air. He was stationed to patrol the Port Station hanger although it was basically empty. “Lead Assistant Jaca! Stop!”

  Jaca quickly turned around and climbed down the three stairs of the carrier. The guard was about a quarter away when he decided to stay behind. The girls didn’t notice Jaca going down until it was too late. Sakiya turned around and saw Jaca standing outside the carrier. She extended her hand out for him to take it but instead he handed her the silver briefcase. “Jaca! What in the hell are you doing?!” She screamed.

  “I can’t go! If I do your father won’t make it. Everything you’ll need is in that briefcase. There’s a comm your father recorded before all this happened listen to it. Find Arkaminus! Save the Star Children! Go now!” With one swing Jaca slammed the carrier door shut. Sakiya and Kahree stared through the small circular window as the engine warmed up.

  “Come on, we don’t have much time. We don’t want the guards closing the hanger doors.” Sakiya said as she plopped down into the pilot chair then pulled the steering wheel close to her. The mail carrier slowly lifted from the ground and floated towards the wide-open hanger doors. Kahree planted her forehead against the small window once more to see Jaca drop down to his knees surrendering to the guard. He arrived where his prisoner just as the carrier lifted off the ground.

  “Jaca! We have to go back! They’re arresting him!” Kahree screamed then pounded her fist against the steel door.

  “We can’t do anything for him now. Jaca knows what he’s doing. You heard what he said, father needed him. I don’t know what the fuck is going on but once we’re in the air we’re going to find out.”

  Kahree turned and picked up the silver briefcase. She walked towards the back of the carrier and to her surprise there was a small bathroom. She gave herself a tour of the carrier before sitting anything down. There were thick sacks of mail piled in the corners. A small table with two chairs tucked underneath was the only sitting area available. Loose paper and pieces of mail laid scattered all over the floor. “How long it is going to take us to get to Temrack? Riding in this ancient piece of shit is scary.”

  Sakiya huffed at her sister’s question, “Well, Temrack is in the fourth sector, and I don’t trust using the hyperdrive in this thing. So, if I had to guess about two to three days.”

  “Two to three days?! In this thing! We barely have any food. You’re lucky I grabbed that bowl of fruit when I did. On my goodness, we’re going to die in here. We’re not even going to make it to our destination...” Kahree kept ranting until Sakiya got up from the pilot’s seat and placed both hands on her sister’s shoulders.

  “Calm down, would you? We’re going to be just fine. Come on, we’ve been in worse shape before. Remember the time we had to eat those nasty bird eggs from Trenth? That shit was absolutely disgusting, but we all ate it. Me, you and Luna... ‘Member the look on face Luna?” The girls laughed together. “We’ve been doing this for the past two hundred years... We’re the Star Counsel’s most elite soldiers... Assassins by craft. What makes us so special is we each hold a piece of the Star Lord’s power. Together, the three of us make the most power beings in the universe. We are the bringers of peace, the light in the darkness. You understand right?”

  Kahree nodded as she wiped her tears from face, “You always had a way with your words Sky. Fucking motivational speaker and shit.” They chuckled as they hugged. “I just don’t like not knowing is all.”

  Sakiya’s eyes widened when she heard Kahree say ‘knowing’. “Of course! I forgot Jaca mentioned something about a comm recording father made before all of this happened. We haven’t even opened the case up yet.”

  Kahree walked in the back to retrieve the briefcase she placed on the small two-seater table. When she opened it up, a small silver and black half dollar sized communication device laid on top of the papers. It was blinking red which indicated there was a saved message that was waiting to be played. The girls sat down together staring at the blinking comm as they grabbed a piece of fruit from Carie’s bag. Kahree grabbed the comm with the other hand, “Let’s get this over with...”

  When she pushed the red button, Esio face appeared in a blue hazed hologram. “Is this thing on, Jaca? Good.” The Counselman adjusted in his chair before continuing, “Girls, if you’re listening to this that means my worst fears have come true. What I’m about to tell you may or may not come to you as a surprise. Someone has betrayed us... A member of the Star Counsel and maybe even one of our Queens. I’ve had my suspicions for a while now and that’s why I’m making this video message. This mission will determine whether the Star Counsel survives. I don’t know who all is involved therefore trust no one. There are only a small number of individuals who knows your whereabouts. For the most part, you girls are on your own.” Sakiya and Kahree looked up at one another before returning the message. “There’s so much I want to tell you, but I knew I didn’t much time to explain. The key is finding Arkaminus... I think his kidnapping was not by coincidence. The power he holds would force a reform and I believe that’s the point. Whoever is doing this wants to force our hand with something. I just don’t know what yet.” Esio adjusted in his chair again, “The mission is to become one of them... You girls must find a way to destroy them from within. It is essential they don’t know what we are trying to do.”

  Esio turned to Jaca and extended his hand, “Hand me the briefcase.” He stood up and opened it then pulled out a small white box before sitting back down. “Inside the briefcase we tried to equip you with everything you’ll need for this assignment. This right here,” Esio held up the white box to the camera, “is the key to your survival.” He opened the box slowly and picked up what was inside. It was two gold linked chained necklaces with a metallic black rock hanging at the end. Both Sakiya and Kahree looked through the briefcase to find the white box. “This beauty is called the Vix Glass, found by yours truly by the Junith people. It’s a volcanic glass that repels the essences stones detection. I know you girls were wondering how you were going inside the belly of the beast without protection... Well, here it is. You must always keep this necklace on. By now you know the essence stones can also be used to detect Star Children. In order to become one of them, you must become an enemy to the Counsel. A rebel. Learn their ways and join them if you must. The worst enemy is an unseen one... You’ll know what that means once you reach Temrack. Study the files and your targets. Piece it together however you see fit. There’s also an emergency stash of currency from Temrack and other planets for just in case.” Esio wiped his face with his hand, “I know you girls will save us all. Do us the favor and kill them all. Finish this once and for all. I love you, always.” The message feed ended.

  Again, Sakiya and Kahree looked up at one another while sighing deeply. There was a moment of silence between them. The only sound they could hear was the humming of the carrier ship. Kahree rolled her eyes as she got up from the chair. “Ugh! He didn’t say anything about Luna’s ass.”

  Sakiya looked up, cut her eyes and replied, “That’s all you got out of it?”