Deep in the Depths

Chapter 19: Aoraa

Orion never understood why his people didn't go out behind the safety of their reef. Now, it all made sense. Number 4930 was known to play with the human mind. He glanced down at his hands. Never use your ability on outsiders.

It was clear that whoever tortured his descendants knew about their ability. Whoever it was created a generation that ruled on hatred and fear. Cyan scales shifted in the space light while darker blue veins ran throughout his palm.

Someone saw them as a powerful threat, but why?

Alright, where do you want to start? Mathew's voice caused him to look up at the giant. His giant hands reached up, unwrapping a weird long pink piece of cloth that was stained with what seemed to be various foods. As he folded it, the tension radiated off of him in waves.

At the beginning.

Mathew's shoulders lowered. "Alright," he spoke in time with his thoughts. "When we were first assigned this planet we originally said the same thing as you all. That this would be a mission to colonize and grow the population. However, Owen always had a feeling that something was off."

Mathew shook his head. "Let's just say we learned not to fully trust what the government told us. So, before we launched, he was able to get his hands on that file. We read up on it and figure that the government wanted more than just a colonizing mission."

They wanted to see if we were still there.

"That's my guess, yes," Mathew continued. "And we knew that coming back now with empty hands would be risky."

Bessie glanced at Orion. Since they stole that file, it wouldn't be hard for the government to put two and two together.

You would be exiled from your village, Orion added, or worse.

"So we planned the crash." Mathew shook his head. "No one was supposed to get hurt, but we miscalculated how much energy would be needed to overheat the system."

"And that crash nearly took your life," Bessie spat back. "Why didn't you just tell us?"

Mathew's eyes narrowed. "What was I supposed to say, Bessie?That we weren't here to colonize, but to bounty hunt a supposedly dangerous alien."

Orion blinked, before he glanced between the two of them again. The tension between them was suffocating. "Enough."

Both heads whipped toward him.

Bessie's eyes widened as Mathew's jaw dropped. "Did you just..."

"N-no figh-ting please," he croaked before grimacing at his slaughtered English. Instantly, Bessie leaped onto him, arms wrapping around him in a tight embrace. "You talked! I can't believe it, Orion! You talked!"

A giant hand grabbed his shoulder, before Mathew gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You did good."

Warmth filled Orion's chest which quickly flushed up to his cheeks. Before he could respond, the sound of footsteps drew their attention. Dawn started to speak just as Onxy's thoughts cut through Orion's mind.

We need to leave, now!

What? What do you-

A groan snapped Orion's gaze upward just as the ship's lights flickered. Once, twice, they bathed the room in pitch blackness.

What was going—The ground lurked. Instinct wrapped his arm around Bessie's waist as his back slammed against the wall. With a pained grunt, he looked up at her. Two terrified eyes met his own. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm—"

The ship wailed again, releasing a sound that threatened to bleed his ears. His hands shot up, clenching his ear fins shut. A hand grabbed his arm, causing him to flinch as he turned to Mathew.

We need to go now!

Not daring to let go of Bessie's hand, Orion pulled her along through the groaning ship as they followed Mathew.

Just then a piercing screeched filled the silence and shattered his heart like shells.

Owen stood in front of the ship with Sarian and Asuak standing guard.

Towering out the water with droplets dripping down its skin, the aoraa jaws opened as it released an enraged scream.