Nascent Decay (The Goddess of Decay Book 1) (20 page)

“You just think it…and it happens?” she asked as she wrinkled her nose.

“Sometimes I don’t even have to think about it,” said Rhylie with a sigh. “Sometimes it’s just…reflexive. I’ve got to learn to control it better.” Meili shrunk away from her a slight bit. “I just don’t want to do something…in anger, or anything that I’ll regret later,” she added quickly.

“That’s just part of being alive,” said Meili cautiously. Rhylie cast her eyes down to the floor, and didn’t say anything for awhile. She was just glad to be thinking about anything other than the expression on Bart’s face.

“When we get to Beta C-7, I will stay while the rest of you continue on back to Mars,” Ramirez said. “I’m going to try to convince them to evacuate and abandon the Outpost.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “I wasn’t supposed to disclose this information, but the Council is seriously considering submission to Vorcia.” Rhylie simply nodded her head once. She had never believed otherwise. “They want you brought to Mars so they can use your direct knowledge of these…Seer-oceans or whatever they’re called. And that will hopefully keep the rest of my crew safe.”

“The Council has already made up their minds. They’re not going to listen,” said Rhylie.

“They never do,” said Ramirez.

*

By the time they had arrived on Mars, Rhylie had answered just about every question that Meili could come up with. She tried to be as honest and forthcoming as possible for the most part, but some of the events that had occurred in the Chamber were too personal, even if they had been fabricated; it was like discussing intimate dreams with strangers, and she just wasn’t ready to talk about them with anyone yet. She had purposefully avoided telling them about Ryan and the children, or the baby that had been taken from her and destroyed.

Jessica was too interested in Isaar and piloting the ship to care. She actually seemed to be flirting with him a little. Rhylie was surprised to find it kind of made her feel jealous. It was actually a welcome feeling, after all she had been through. For the first time that Rhylie could remember she felt somewhat normal again. Something about Meili’s curiosity and acceptance gave her a twinge of hope. But when they walked off the ship, everything changed drastically.

Jessica and Meili were quickly taken one way, and Isaar and Rhylie were escorted directly to the Council’s bench. Only three of them were actually present, the rest were represented as holograms.

“Private Underhill?” asked a broad-shouldered black man dressed in brightly colored robes with bold patterns.

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“Isaar De La G’rato?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Isaar responded.

“I am Marcus Sall, and we welcome you before the Council. Unfortunately, the situation is dire and time is preciously short,” he said. His voice had a twinge of South African accent that was more discernible in person. “Otherwise, I would have arranged for the entire Council to be here in person.”

“Perhaps it is best we are not,” said one of them, a bald white man with hard eyes and piggy jowls with a thick Eastern European accent. “We do not know that they are not assassins, sent to kill us.” The thought made Rhylie uncomfortable. She really didn’t know what she was anymore.

“That’s enough, Ivan,” said Marcus wearily. “I will not have this discussion turned into a round of accusations. We need to hear what they have to say.” Ivan’s hologram glowered at Isaar and Rhylie. Marcus leaned forward, propping his elbows up on the grand curved table. “The craft you came in on was…very advanced. We couldn’t even detect it other than visual confirmation.” Isaar frowned.

“There is something even worse headed this way,” Isaar said. “The battle station we took it from is a Class A Nova Destroyer.” Rhylie turned to look at him, stunned. “I did not want to panic anyone until I had to.” He gave her an apologetic look in return. “But I do not believe they intend to uphold any offers of peace. That is simply not Vorcia’s way.”

“How do we know we can trust you?” asked Ivan suspiciously. Marcus cut him a look.

“You do not,” said Isaar plaintively. Ivan frowned deeply at this.

“How do we know you’re not a spy?” asked a man with long, black hair. “Is this some sort of…test?”

“Ichiro brings up a good point,” said Ivan.

“He didn’t even have to come with me,” Rhylie said, stepping closer to Isaar.

“Perhaps I was talking about you, Private Underhill,” said Ichiro. Rhylie stiffened and narrowed her eyes at him.

“If you think I would help that snake bitch-” she began when she felt Isaar’s hand on her arm. She gave him a glance and he shook his head. She nodded reluctantly and turned her head back to look at Ichiro. “I’m not.” She unclenched her fist. She hadn’t realized she had even made one.

The questions kept coming for another hour or longer. How much more technologically advanced were the Siirocians than humans? What had she been subjected to as their prisoner? Was she really capable of the incredible abilities that had been reported to them? She was asked to display her abilities before them, and she did, somewhat. She didn’t want them to know what she was really capable of yet, but she gave them enough to frighten them a bit. She hoped it would keep them honest. She answered their inquiries the best she could, and Isaar interjected for her when she could not. The picture that they painted for the Council was an ominous one.

Finally Marcus dismissed them so the Council could discuss the situation among themselves. They were separated; Isaar was taken one way, and Rhylie another. She had protested at first, but they were told they needed to be questioned separately as well, before a final decision could be reached. They seemed unsettled by Rhylie’s threats of their fates if Isaar was treated with anything less than respect and dignity. She wondered what Ramirez had told them about her. She knew that was why he had really stayed behind at the other Outpost, so he could give them a detailed report about her and Isaar. Eventually, she agreed to part with Isaar, once they had assured her he would be given medical treatment and allowed to rest.

She was escorted to a luxurious room deep beneath the surface of Mars, and told to await further discussions with the Council. Two armed guards were stationed outside of her door. She didn’t have to be told she was a prisoner again to know that she was.

But at least she was home.

Sort of.

The first visitors that came to see her were her parents and her younger brother, who had just turned twelve. Her older brother was seeking a leave of absence from his post on SS-UAC-11, one of the largest ships in the UAF fleet. Rhylie cried once again, but tears of happiness this time. She had trouble controlling her new skin as emotions surged through her; it flickered between dull gray and the clothes she had fabricated for herself and her favorite pair of pajama pants and t-shirt. Her mom stepped back from her the first time it happened.

“Rhylie, what’s wrong?” she asked with concern.

“Don’t worry about it, Mom, everything is going to be alright. I just don’t want any of you to worry,” she answered. “I’ve…changed is all. I’m different now, but I’m still me.”

“Nobody would tell us anything about you,” said her father. “Except that they told us you were dangerous. They didn’t even want us to bring Ben.” Rhylie frowned, her forehead crinkling as she struggled to find the words. After a moment, she decided to go the direct route.

“I am dangerous,” she said bluntly. She folded her arms across her chest. Her dad reached out and put his hand on her shoulder.

“You’re still our little girl, I hope,” he said reassuringly. “We never even thought we’d see you again.” Rhylie broke into tears again and unfolded her arms. Her father put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her head to his chest. It felt good to be comforted. It had been a long time since anyone had last held her and told her everything would be alright.

“I never thought I would see anyone ever again,” she said as she sobbed into her father’s chest. He guided her over to the couch and sat her down. Her mother sat on the other side of her, rubbing her back. Her clothes faded into the dull gray form of her new body.

“Oh my-” said her mother, gasping, and pulling her hand away in shock. Rhylie looked down, horrified. She quickly changed it back.

“Rhylie, what did they do to you?” her father asked incredulously. Her little brother just stared at her in open horror. He took a step back.

“No, Ben,” Rhylie said as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Please don’t be afraid.” She reached out for him, and he took another step backwards instinctively. She could see the fear in his eyes.

“You’re not my sister,” he said as he took another step back. “I wanna go home!”

“I am!” she insisted and buried her face in her hands. “I am. I am.”

“Ben, please,” she heard her father say.

“My friend Gavin says she’s an alien spy,” her little brother said. “His dad says she’s been showing the aliens where all our bases are.”

“Ben!” her mother exclaimed with horror. Rhylie began sobbing harder and mumbling wordlessly.

“He says she’s here to kill us all,” Ben said.
Wounds that will not heal
. “She’s not my sister! She’s not Rhylie!” he howled. “Look at her!” Rhylie’s skin had reverted to the dull gray metal once again. She didn’t even bother changing it back.

“Just go,” she choked out between sobs. “Just take him home.”

“Rhylie-” her mom began.

“Just go! I don’t need this right now!” she screamed. She just wanted to be alone. Her family hurriedly left in silence, and she didn’t look up to watch them go. It seemed everything was always going from good to bad rather quickly, as if she were receiving some sort of cosmic retribution for allowing herself to be happy.

An hour or so later, she got a surprise visit. The door slid open and in walked her ex-boyfriend, Ryan. She stared at him, horrified. If she’d had a stomach she might have vomited all over the luxuriant carpeting on the floor of the living room. He looked back at her, wide eyed, and she realized that her skin was still a dull gray.

She stood up and changed it back to her sundress as quickly as she could, but the damage was done. It was far worse than being caught without makeup. Ryan closed his mouth as though he’d suddenly realized it was hanging open.

“I’d heard rumors…but…,” he began awkwardly, as though struggling to think of something to say.

“They’re probably true,” she said before sighing. “Have a seat if you want.” She sat back down on the couch. He nodded his head slowly, his eyes watching her intensely. He was afraid of her, she realized. He finally took a seat on the far end of the couch.

“You’ve…changed,” he said. She almost laughed. Instead she gave him a sad smile.

“More than you realize,” she said hesitantly. She really didn’t want him to know what she’d been through, of all people. “You probably shouldn’t have come here, you know.”

“I had to see you,” he said softly. “I had to know you were alright.”

“I am,” she said. “For now.”

“What…did they do to you?” he asked. She was getting sick of that question.

“Horrible things,” she said shrugging passively. After what had happened with her little brother, she felt like she didn’t have enough left to care about things that had happened so long ago. “Terrible things. You don’t want to know. I’m just glad to be home.” She thought about warning him, but decided to keep it to herself. There was nothing he could do anyway. If the Siirocians wanted everyone dead, there would be nowhere to hide.

“I’m glad you’re home too…” he said, cautiously. Rhylie sighed.

“There’s no need to be afraid of me,” she said flatly. “Trust me, I’m not going to bite.” She frowned at him. If he was going to behave like this, he could just leave. Just seeing him was awkward enough, she didn’t need to deal with him acting all weird, too.

“I’ve just heard things,” he said with uncertainty.

“Like what?” she asked with mock coyness.

“I’d rather not say,” he said uncomfortably.

“Then why did you bring it up?” she asked, raising her eyebrow.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what else to say,” he said. “I didn’t want you to join-”

“But I did,” she said, cutting him off. “We’ve had this discussion before.” The tone of her voice had changed swiftly as old wounds tore open inside of her, just when she thought she was through caring about things that were dead and buried. It was the one part of being human she wished she could amputate and cauterize.
If you didn’t want me to join the UAF, you shouldn’t have broken up with me
, she thought bitterly. “If you’ve come to lecture me about this…” she said instead, trailing off purposefully.

“I know. I’m sorry. I should go,” he said awkwardly, standing up.

“I’m not running you off,” she said. “And I’m not going anywhere. But it doesn’t do anyone any good to rehash things that are better left buried.”

“I know,” he said. “But I have things I need to take care of. I’ll try to make it back to see you if I can make time.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” Rhylie said, feigning indignation. Well, maybe she wasn’t really feigning it that much. “You always were.”

“I know, I’m sorry. This is awkward. I’m going to go,” he said as he turned and left hurriedly. The door slid shut behind him without so much as a good-bye. He would probably be discussing her with a therapist for a long time to come. Several hours passed before the doors slid open again.

Next to come see her were her old crew members, Mason, Ian, and Sergeant Bryson. It was strange to see them dressed in civilian attire. She changed her sundress to her t-shirt and pajama bottoms in front of them. There was no use in hiding it any longer. She wasn’t sure she could if she wanted to.

Mason and Ian seemed genuinely happy to see her, even hugging her. Mason had even bathed, it seemed. She inhaled Ian’s fragrance deeply when she hugged him. He smelled wonderful as always. She hadn’t known them long, but it was good to see them nonetheless. Sergeant Bryson kept his demeanor until they were finished, a concerned look on his face.

“I’m relieved to see you alive, Private,” said Sergeant Bryson. “I’ll never be able to forgive myself for ejecting you in that cryostasis pod.” Rhylie frowned sadly.