July 15, 2075
Minerva's Hideout, A Bela Cidade
0602 FNT
Luke Miller's Point of View
“Bem, bem, bem (Well, well, well),” a familiar woman’s voice says from Minerva’s communicator as she enters the gym. “If it isn’t Admiral Minerva Silva,” the voice continues to speak as Minerva silently motions for us to hide.
“Telefone novo, quem é esse (New phone, who is this)?” Minerva asks with a confused look on her face.
It can’t be!
“Cease the pig-headed act, Admiral,” the voice demands. “You know damn well that you’re conversing with the big cheese of this bitch.”
“Oh, Angela Blackwood! To what doth I oweth the pleasure of this conv’rsation?” Minerva responds in joy.
“Heh heh. I have reasons to believe that you’re harboring wanted fugitives, and as the Royal’s elite enforcer…” Angela says as Minerva discreetly mocks her voice with a “blah blah blah” hand gesture.
“An int’resting tale, f’rest wench, howev’r we big gudgeon art extremely busy, so please skipeth to the pointeth,” Minerva interrupts.
“I wish to avoid a fight, Minerva,” Angela says with a deep sigh. “My only desire is to bring home the bacon, and you of all people should know the dangers of messing with bad eggs. Deliver Squad Zeus to me, and I’ll assure you that you and your kingdom won’t end up swimming with the fishes…permanently.”
“Thou art only bringing birds of the night to Athens, Angela, howev’r given thy stubb’rn track rec’rd, I shall p’rsonally esc’rt thee to mine own lair, so we can cease furth’r unnecessary hostilities,” Minerva says in a calm tone.
“A wise decision,” Angela says in an arrogant tone. “Furthermore…” she continues.
You hung up on her, Minerva?!
“We’re fucked!” Ruby cries out in horror as Minerva tosses her communicator outside.
“These wat’rs art forsooth v’ry troubling,” Minerva says as she enters deep thought.
“Minerva, what’s the plan?” I ask.
“Ah, what a wond’rful questioneth, Luke Miller! I has’t nay clue,” she replies with a look of worry on her face.
No! Not again!
“What if I just surrender myself? The only one she wants to swiftly execute is me, right?” I ask.
“I think that ship has long sailed,” Duy answers. “Nobody is surrendering.”
“Fighting isn’t an option either, Duy! Innocent people will get killed again because of us! Angela will arrive before the Promethean does, and there’s nowhere else to run to!” I yell.
“Admiral,” Ethan begins to say as he steps in. “Should we summon him?”
“Hmm. I feareth yond night bird of the night shall only furth’r Angela’s suspicions, howev’r we has’t becometh limit’d on options,” Minerva says with a great look of concern on her face.
“How did they even know we were here? We all tossed our communicators back in Colorado so they couldn’t track us, right?” Ruby asks in worry.
“Fleeing is our only option, but that would make Minerva and all of Athens accomplices,” Sonya explains. “Even if we did find somewhere to run to, someone would have to stay behind and pretend that they’ve been captured by the Athenians.”
Damn! She’s right! We’re all at risk, no matter what happens. So… who’s it going to be? Who’s going to stay behind?
“Sigh,” Anna says as she steps forward. “It’s clear that I am the self-evident choice,” she says in confidence. “As a former Royal, my chances of death upon sight are significantly lower than a peasant’s. My parents aren’t completely worthless, for they still hold a small amount of power and influence as former Royals. However, this means…”
“What do you mean you’re leaving?!” Ruby cries out in sadness as she hugs Anna. “Your big head has just reached the size of Teresa’s!”
Stolen story; please report.
“All things must come to an end,” Anna says as she exchanges the hug. “This has been the most fun I’ve had in my entire life; however, I cannot continue to follow The Mighty Squad Zeus in their perilous adventure around The New World. My intuition tells me that my adventure has only begun, should I survive the encounter with Angela Blackwood,” she confidently announces. “I’ve learned a lot in my four years as a non-Royal. I learned how to have fun, take risks, be open-minded, an abundance of new swear words, different cultures, fashion, and how to twerk. I’ve realized that Earth isn’t as bad as our teachers led us to believe. It is a beautiful world filled with ugliness. A place that brings out both the best and the worst in people, but most importantly, it’s a place that needs to be protected and preserved. I don’t know who’s good or who’s bad, but I do know that The Eight Kingdoms and the Royals share a common enemy. The horrific undead army. The more we kill each other, the stronger the undead army becomes. Our conflicts only expeditiously advance our extinction date, and it must stop! I’ve lived a purposeless life up until now, for I envision a world without zombies! A world without an oppressive, tyrannical government! A world where The Eight Kingdoms are unified! I am aware that this is a foolish dream that may never come to fruition, however starting now, I vow to unify The Eight Kingdoms and find a peaceful solution to end the Royal’s tyrannical rule, so humanity can focus on eradicating Earth’s true threat, the zombies! This… is my role, and I am willing to die for it.”
You’re a great speaker, Anna.
“We’re going to miss you, Anna,” Duy says as they exchange a handshake.
“If you see Teresa, tell her that her assumption of fortune-tellers was correct! They’re just con-artists hiding in plain sight!” Ruby yells out. “And…tell my parents and Scarlett about our badass adventures!”
“Safe travels, Anna!” The twins yell out in unison. “Tell our family that we miss them!”
“Tell Jaliyah I said to stop eating so much junk food,” Drew says next.
“Try not to die,” Sonya says with a soft grin.
“I’m glad I met you, Anna,” I say.
“As am I, Luke,” Anna says. “I hope that you find your guardian. Thank you all for everything. I wish you the safest of travels.”
“About that escape plan,” Ethan says as he steps forward…
*
40 Minutes Later
0648 FNT
On the Main Deck of Admiral Minerva’s Warship
Anna Robinson’s Point of View
“Advance foul wench!” Minerva yells as she pushes me forward towards Angela.
Rain, how I despise you. Forget sunrise. This awful thunderstorm is going to last for ages, and the rope tied around my hands is too tight! Sigh. I suppose that this must look convincing.
“Well, well, well,” Angela says as she approaches. “You’re only the tip of the iceberg, Anna Robinson. Would you care to enlighten me on the whereabouts of your playmates?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.
“Minerva?” Angela asks Minerva.
“Ah, a splendid question! I hasn’t the slightest clue!” Minerva says in pride.
“A predictable response,” Angela says with a chuckle. “Excessive bodily harm to receive information is not my cup of tea, but my worries have long ceased. The only reason that your head is still attached to your body is because of your bloodline, traitorous Anna Robinson. Your sentence shall be carried out upon your escort and return to Olympia,” she explains as Minerva hands me over to the Death Angels. “You and your friends deserve what’s coming to you.”
“You talk too much,” I say to Angela.
OW! She smacked me in my jaw!
“Heh heh. I only speak the truth,” she says with an arrogant shrug. “This brief quiescency of advancement has ceased. Squad Zeus are mere tadpoles fucking with big fish; however, I’ll admit that doing this without the mole would’ve been significantly more difficult.”
What?
“Mole? What mole?” I ask.
“Blood is always thicker than water, foolish turncoat,” the witch chuckles.
“Gasp! Angela! Is it…?!” I ask.
“You’re one smart cookie if you’ve figured it out already, however, do not fret, for all of their heads shall be displayed in Olympia to prevent further troubles,” Angela says.
I’m so stupid! I should’ve known!
“Their deaths shall be executed swiftly, Anna Robinson, for I have some of the Royal’s cream of the crop at my side to aid in this assignment,” she continues to brag.
“We don’t have to fight, Angela!” I say. “Imagine a world where The Eight Kingdoms are unified! A world without a tyrannical government! A world without zombies!”
“I’m sorry, but you’ve confused me for someone who gives a fuck,” the harlot says with a laugh as she twirls her braided ponytail. “I like being in power, so why would I ever give it up to fulfill a hypocritical little girl’s dream? A little bird has informed me that it was you who attracted the Behemoth swarm. You killed several of my subordinates, and you killed my right-hand’s sister, you fucking monster. Now there’s a little boy in this world that’s going to grow up without a mother because of you!”
“Shut up!” I say.
Liar! No. I-is she right?! What did I do? What the fuck did I do?! Am I really… a monster?!
“That’s a sight,” Angela says as she observes a plane soar through the skies and the quick exit of a speedboat in the distance. “Well, you were the least likely to get killed,” she says with a shrug. “But, Minerva,” she says in disappointment. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. You’re aware of the air travel ban,” she says with a smirk.
“A few trait’rous Athenians must’ve stolen the plane and a boat. Oh nay. Those sons of braches,” Minerva says in a nonchalant tone.
“Your acting skills require immediate work,” Angela says as she shakes her head. “However, my business is concluded; therefore, I shall spare you and your kingdom. Death by disintegration must be painful, so consider this a kind gesture. Now, before I depart, remember this; your naval fleet is extraordinary; nevertheless, we have the giant fucking space laser of death, so think thrice before you decide to fuck us over again,” Angela warns in a stern tone and a cold glare in her eyes.
I don’t know if I made the right choice. All I can do is pray for your safety, Squad Zeus.
“Hello…,” A familiar voice says. “Anna. Or should I say… traitor?”
“Gasp! Li?!” I say.
Oh no.
“What goes around comes around, Anna…” Li says in an angry tone and a fierce look of animosity in her eyes as she points a gun at my head.