I had a feeling that the lawless zone was safer than Kova. So I walked back to Calysto. A man saw me climbing my ship and asked me nicely if I was joining as a fighter. I replied, "Fighter and mechanic" he smiled, "Welcome" I boarded my ship and I pressed my finger on the dashboard and the engine roared to life. We all took off to the heart of Kova called Krasna. The star bridge opened and we were told to enter it all at once. I have never entered a bridge opened by someone else so this was a new experience. We hopped in and the light was blinding at first. Then the light dimmed and I saw spots for a few minutes. The usual mesmerizing view is now a blur. It looked like someone with no skill was told to paint the night sky. It was off-putting. The hour spent there felt like an eternity. I had to close my eyes and recall the days when I used to see the wonders of space. I heard from the comms that we have reached our destination. I saw what looked like a rip in space. It was as though someone had ripped canvas and pushed it forward. The view was humble. A lush forest with a clearing filled with ships old and new. People going in and out of the cave. Some were repair ships others were taking off to complete their tasks. The men gathered to welcome the new members of the Rebellion. One man in particular was eyeing my ship in a possessive manner. He walked away without a word. I shook hands with many species of the galaxy who were ready to fight oppression. I had to register my ship and was promised they would make sure no one stole it.
I was taken to the bunker but I chose the garage. I opened the storage of my lovely and found a hammock. I decided to use it as a bed. I covered my face using a sash made from a Reggi cloth. It is one of the best materials out there. It is soft, flexible and breathable. The officer in charge came with my uniform. It was white shirt, gray jacket and a gray and white pants. I got a helmet with the symbol of the Fyr. This one had horns that twisted the length of his head. The scales were scalloped over one another. The spine had ridges which looked like a continuous mountain shrinking in size as it goes towards the forked tail. Four battle hardened wings looked like it was about to flap so hard a hurricane would erupt. The eye looked like it was staring at its prey with laser precision. The mouth was opening as though it was about to breathe fire. I thanked him as I placed it on the work table. The next one to visit me was a small child. She came with a piece of fulgurite. I happily placed it on the work table. After a few breaths my fingers wiggled and a shard of glass started twisting and turning. Finally it was shaped to look like a flower. She gladly took it back. She gave me a hug before she ran away. Hopefully to her mother. As I walked out to a group of people chatting about the next move. The leaders were requesting that we start finding friends who will lay low until it is time. If one team is taken out another will take its place. This is the way to keep alive.
The next few days went by as more people came to join and pledge their allegiance. There were those who were apprehensive about staying since there was a supposed monster by the name of Gis or Earth bound Titan. Otherwise known as The Guardian of the Eternal Grove. This one in particular is the self claimed custodian of this forest. This being attacks its opponent by creating vines and projecting all sorts of spectral beings who either protect you or harm you. This thing has a slight resemblance to a human person but has the appearance of a tree. The legs resemble roots. The body resembles the trunk. The arms resemble branches. While the head resembles a stump with new curly shoots where the hands and hair reside. I thought it was adorable till I bumped into it. It was bigger and uglier than I imagined. It had a few things to say. Fortunately I didn't understand a word he was trying to say. I raised a finger and fire shot out. Immediately the images disappeared. The creature came closer and I explained that I am looking for a baby. The monster said, "The forest has claimed someone so there is no return." The fire spread to my fist. The creature stood its ground. I knew the trouble I would get if I torched this place. I doused fire then used earth manipulation to move the trees aside till she was visible. The little bundle of joy has curled into a ball and is fast asleep. I picked her up and carried her back to camp. The creature repeatedly called me from behind but I ignored him. There is only one rule in the forest. Do not look back if anyone calls you from behind. If you look then you will vanish without a trace. They could look for you the next thousand years they won't find you.
While I walked past a group of people were discussing the problems that would arise in this rebellion. One advised people to hide in their associates in unsuspecting places. These people can pass information or a place to lay low when things get ugly. Like taverns or garages. Or provide transportation so they can get past check points and so forth. The others talked about transporting fuel and other essentials. Some talked about medications and repairs. A few asked how we are going to transport everyone out of the base if the enemy arrives. They talked about emergency protocol. The rest of them mentioned security and secrecy. I walked away thinking about how this ragtag team was trying to save the galaxy. A lesson in humility no doubt. Don't think you are high and mighty. The actual almighty will humble you with a simplest of creation. The next ten months I spent either repairing everyone's ship or training to fight. I was taught to do hairpin turns, dives and other flight maneuvers. I practiced with every type of ship in the rebellion. The next fifteen months were spent learning to shoot every weapon with complete accuracy since every blast missed meant a life lost. While news came about the fall of seven systems to the Galactic Sovereign I learned hand to hand combat. Walking back the hammock with screaming muscles. Exhaustion overtakes me so I wake up laying on the floor in odd angles. I noticed a glistening object. It was a pocket watch. I had destroyed the library stick for safety reasons. But kept the watch since it was harmless. It was all I had left of my sanity.
The commander came one fine afternoon during a wrestling session. He came with my very first mission. The orders were to find out if one of our own had switched sides or not. I was given a simple uniform. It was a light brown shirt and beige colored pants with a section on the side painted white. After changing the outfit the next stop was to collect Comms and weapons. The Floof gave me a thumbs up as I walked towards my transport. It was a Reefer Ship carrying perishables. Quintin was waiting impatiently. She locked the door the moment I boarded. She had a shiny violet skin with black polka dots. She was a bit taller than me and she had a hoarse voice. I was taken to the seating area. There was no window so I had nothing to admire. From blurred view to no window. This felt like a demotion. But I kept my mouth. The trip was so long agonizingly quiet. I wish there was someone I could talk to. Unfortunately others were fast asleep. I tried not to dwell on my loneliness. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. I was myself back on Arcan. I was running through the neighborhood and found the bakery. I ran in giggling and grams told me to wash my hands and feet. Dinner was almost ready and we were having guests. I got ready in no time. I got to wear a pale blue frock with ribbons in my hair. I walked downstairs and saw everyone was gone. I called out and no one responded. The feeling of dread was overwhelming. With each step fear rose and hope disappeared. The kitchen door swung open by itself. The kitchen looked abandoned. I felt a presence. After a few steps in an ice cold hand grabbed my shoulders. "Finally we met" I jumped off my seat. Quintin and others were sleeping. They were blissfully snoring.
I refused to sleep so I sat down and stared at the watch. The center was glowing gold. I pressed it and it projected an astrolabe. The space compass gave me some sense of purpose. As we approached the planet the emergency lights started flickering. Quintin woke up and started poking everyone till they woke up too. We stepped out after the security sweep and I found him moments later. He was talking to a man in suspicious uniform. The on the upper arm was a drawing of a head with Serpents for hair and two faces. One smiling and the other frowning. My heart leapt to my throat. These people are opening wearing symbols of Kabbohera. Written in the bottom in a semicircle was 'Death is only the beginning' I identified him as an enemy and took a snapshot with my broach. The nearest one called it in. As we got closer we realised it was Arthur asking if he could speak in private about a bunch of traitors. My blood boiled. I wanted to punch him but I didn't want to give us away. The others watch as he mentioned the location in the lawless zone. We were seated nearby and he promised that more traitors were coming. He wanted monetary compensation in exchange. The man promised him money in abundance. Afterwards we stopped by a rest stop. This was one of the places intergalactic travelers stop by for rest and relaxation. I managed to shower and grab my bag to go site see when the door flung open and men in Kabbohera uniform barged in started stunning everyone. I used fire manipulation and blocked the energy they sent. I shot electric energy and stunned everyone and everything in the room.
I grabbed the nearest ally and dragged him towards the elevator. There was yelling by the stairs. It sounded like reinforcement. I dragged him to the store room and stayed there till my mind was clear. I used earth to sink into the ground with him in tow. I quietly dragged him till I reached the space port. The Comms didn't work so I had to hide till I was certain that I could get us out of here. I saw a salvage crew getting clearance to get out. I managed to sneak in with my friend now far away. The men asked us to leave and I said that I will pay them for a ride out of here. They explained that they are not fond of money. I saw one of them suffered burns so I used water to heal him. As thanks they dropped us off at the Caleel system. It is not far from Kova. I sent out a distress signal and the director of operations promised to collect us. I am going to beat him black and blue.