Orion Colony Complete Series Boxed Set J.N. Chaney (books for new readers .txt) 📖

“When are you people going to stop asking me that?” I muttered.

“When you wise up to the reality of your situation,” he said.

Ricky and I reached the gathered crowd in front of the podium. It seemed like everyone understood a ceremony for the dead was about to take place, but they seemed more entranced by the sight of the Eternal than the message she was about to deliver.

The albino woman was slender like her brother but beautiful with sharp and attractive features. A tight ponytail of white hair fell behind her head, glistening in the morning light.

“I think I’m in love,” Ricky said as those around us cheered when they saw an Eternal at the podium.

The crowd’s excitement silenced a moment later when the woman opened her mouth to speak.

“My name is Arun Drake, and along with my brother Elon, I am honored to take this next step with you to our new world,” Arun said with so much determination and power in her voice, the crowd couldn’t help but applaud.

I managed to refrain from clapping, but Ricky couldn’t hold himself back.

“Yesterday, a terrorist group calling themselves the Disciples attacked this facility in an act of cowardice and murdered over two dozen of your fellow workers. While we mourn their sacrifice, we also honor them by pushing forward. By accelerating our program, we tell the Disciples that whether you are Eternal or Transient, we are one united people focused on creating opportunity, advancement, and new beginnings for everyone.” Arun swept the gathered crowd with her fiery blue eyes. “The name of our vessel is the Orion—a hunter in ancient history praised for his exploits of skill and raw determination. We must embody those traits and, together, begin a new phase in human history. One that does not yield to fear or anger. One that is above division and racism. We are one people, united by a common cause, united to the stars.”

I had to give it to her. Elon was right, that woman knew how to give a speech. The people who’d gathered around me clearly felt the same way as they clapped and cheered for her to continue. When the applause died, she addressed the crowd one last time.

“There is a mountain of work that still needs to be done. We will all labor into the dark hours of the night to see our launch happen, but make no mistake, we will launch tomorrow,” Arun said, shouting the last words. “We will go as one, and we will not give in to acts of those who would seek to extinguish our light. Are you with me?”

The crowd reacted with even more fervor, giving everything they had, Ricky most of all.

“I love you!” Ricky screamed into the roar of the crowd. “I think I love you!”

The noise level was so loud, only those standing right beside him could hear his words. Some smiled in our direction, and Ricky grinned the widest smile I’d ever seen him give.

The day passed faster than I could have imagined, along with the night. They asked all the workers not embarking on the trip to stay on to help with the last-minute loading. Ricky and Stacy were each given orders to go to their homes and pack one backpack of belongings to take on the trip. Everything else would be provided.

I had to admit, I’d probably miss Ricky. Hell, if I was honest, I’d miss Stacy too, even though I’d only known her for a day. It was kind of nice to see a familiar face in the yard other than Ricky’s dopey smile.

When the evening came, I found myself exhausted. I kept thinking over Boss Creed’s words, despite trying to push them away. A voice in my head urged me to accept the offer. You’ve got nothing here, I thought. Absolutely nothing. The only thing that means anything to you is around your neck right now. What would you have to lose if you went?

Before I could debate with myself further, a boy no more than ten walked up to me, interrupting my thoughts. He looked at me uncertainly, then handed me a small handheld radio. Saying nothing, he ran off into the masses of people boarding the shuttles.

“Hey,” I started to say, but it was too late. He was gone.

I looked down at the black radio in my hand, wondering why I had been given this. A moment later, my question was answered when Mr. Harold’s voice boomed over the open channel.

“There he is. You know, you had me going for a moment. Then I watched some old footage of one of your fights. I know exactly who you are, Steel Hands.”

7

I froze, turning down the volume on the radio and looking to make sure no one else had been close enough to hear the words spoken.

My brain was spinning, trying to figure out a response to get out of this. I studied the street around me. How had he known when to talk? How did he know when the boy had given me the radio?

I searched in vain, finding nothing.

“Come on, at least have a conversation with me, Steel Hands. May I call you Steel Hands? That was your nickname in the ring, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know what—”

He cut me off. “Please, we’re past the point of you trying to lie to me. I know who you are. Dean ‘Steel Hands’ Slade. Twenty-seven confirmed knockouts. You left on top as the number one contender for the regional title. Just picked up and retired. Walked away from a fortune, according to the nets. They say you broke your contract and lost everything.”

“I’m not working for you,” I said, realizing there was no point in lying anymore. “I’m done with that life.”

“Well, that life’s not done with you,” Mr. Harold said. “Look over to the front yard gates. To the right of that fence.”

I obeyed. The massive line of Transients boarding the Orion was gone, leaving