Lux Mori
Chapter 60

Let him continue to follow. He is harmless.

All of the humans are supposed to be caged.

We shall cage him once he enters the area containing the appropriate group. Less work, more efficient.

The aliens had been communicating, discussing Kort’s fate without his knowledge. They didn’t even know him, not really, and even they didn’t consider him a threat as he continued roaming free amongst them.

Kort clumsily tried sneaking quietly, lingering among the cages. The aliens had been busy, rounding people up from the underground and moving them into their assigned spaces. Most of them had come willingly after being informed that their Prime Minister had made a deal to get them to safety and off the planet. They, of course, weren’t privy to the details of that deal. It was assumed that the cages were a way to conserve space considering so many people had to be moved.

“They aren’t doing this to get us to safety, you know?” I spoke as soon as I saw him. I didn’t say it because I felt any obligation to save his life. I simply felt that he had more of a chance to set Ellie free than I did because he was currently free and I was not. Either way, I had little faith in his abilities.

“Kai,” Kort seemed surprised. “Kai, is that you?”

Caddock and the other Stormriders had not relented in their aural assault. I hoped it was enough to stifle my words and my thoughts.

“Keep your voice down. And don’t think, not that that’s hard for you.” I couldn’t help myself. Even when I needed his help, I couldn’t refrain from insulting him.

Kort shook his head in acknowledgment.

“Listen, they have Ellie. You have to replace her. Get her out of here.” I stared through him, my thoughts focused on her. “Do not for one second think that I don’t know what you’ve done. Don’t think that I will forgive you. Forgiveness is not an option. But you owe this to me, to her. Get her out.”

Kort hung his head in shame. He’s right, he thought. I owe this to both of them.