Traitor's Legacy: The Claughter Chapter 43

Chapter 43: The Betrayal

            Markus threw a bolt of Dark Lightning at Kida but she shielded herself with a magical shield, though the spell was powerful enough to shatter it, knocking her back. Markus attacked her with another Dark Lightning but she rolled away from the bolt. Charging her hands with Shadow Energies, she flung a Shadow Bolt at him but he deflected the bolt away by charging his arm with Dark Energies and pushing it away.

            Thinking that Markus may be too powerful for her to handle, she began to summon forth her minion, A’trus Hathgrave. Realizing the attempt, he tried to attack her with a Dark Lightning but the summoning portal attracted the bolt, pulling it away from her. He then charged in and tackled her, interrupting the summoning and knocking her down. Before Kida had a chance to recover, Markus quickly casted a Dark Lightning spell and began electrocuting her. He maintained the casting until she fell unconscious from the pain.

            Her screams, however, alerted Gavin, Tareshah, Jaina and Xiara, causing them to run to where her screams were heard. They saw Markus standing over an unconscious Kida and simply stared at awe, unsure on what was going on.

            “Markus, we’re moving out! Clear the way!” Lucas exclaimed from the cockpit.

            Acknowledging his words, Markus quickly pushed Gavin, Jaina, Tareshah and Xiara back with a powerful push of Kinetic Energies. The force knocked Gavin, Tareshah and Jaina unconscious but Xiara remained awake. She saw as Lucas and Vader walked out of the cockpit while holding on to Jaden, who was bound and gagged. She struggled against them but to no avail. They brought her out of the ship while Markus stood and watch them leave.

            Just as he was about to follow them, he noticed Xiara still conscious from his previous attack. She attempted to pull out her pistol and shoot but Markus casted a Dark Tentacle spell, pinning her arms as it wrapped her torso. He lifted her up towards the ceiling while she struggled with whatever energy she had left.

            “Don’t follow us. Jaden’s life hangs in the balance. If we see any of you walk into Viper’s hideout, we’ll kill her.” Markus threatened Xiara. He then threw her into a wall, this time knocking her out.

            “You kids ready?” the cultist pilot questioned as Lucas and Vader walked down the loading ramp with Jaden.

            “Yeah. Take us to our master, lest he loses his patience.” Vader replied.

            The pilot nodded, turned to the wilderness and left while Lucas and Vader pulled Jaden in his direction. Markus, who was just about to leave the Crimson Spinner, noticed them leaving and ran after them while exclaiming, “Thanks for leaving me guys! Great! Leave me out of this completely!”

            “Alright Jaden, I’ve got my rifle.” Reed said as he entered the ship’s briefing room, looking down at his rifle and wiping the barrel. “Remind me to throw away that useless net we keep in the storage room. Piece of shit got tangled up with my rifle’s barrel. Oh and remind me again not to keep my rifle near anything that’s too close to things like that net, or it’ll…” his sentence trailed when he saw Kida, Tareshah, Gavin, Jaina and Xiara lying the floor.

            He looked around at the battered bodies of his crewmates and saw Jaina, opening heavy-laden eyes and making soft grunts. She rolled on a prone position and tilted her head up to look at Reed, taking in hard breathes as she struggled to breath.

            “Hmm, did I miss something?” Reed asked.

            “Jaden…got kidnapped. Vader…Lucas…Markus…they betrayed us!” Jaina managed.

            Reed’s brow rose with seeming shock, though his frown appeared sarcastic in Jaina’s eyes.

            “So, a pair of kids and a stupid piece of crap managed to stop you all? Hmph, why didn’t that surprise me one bit?” Reed queried.

            “It was a surprise attack…Reed!” Jaina exclaimed.

            Chuckling at her reaction, he knelt down, patted her head and taunted, “You all just got owned!”

            “This is the last time I’m letting you all watch over my girlfriend. She has never been kidnapped under my watch so far.” he added.

*     *     *

            Lucas and Vader pulled a helpless Jaden through twigs and bushes within the forest while she thrashes around in an attempt to free herself. Eventually, they came out of the forest and the pilot, who was far ahead of them, was clear in the sight. Markus was the last to leave the forest, finally catching up with Lucas, Vader and Jaden. The made a beeline for the pilot while Jaden continues to struggle.

            “Jaden…this would be easier if you would stop shaking!” Lucas exclaimed.

            “This unit requires permission to stun our prisoner with a brief burst of electricity.” Vader requested.

            “No!” Markus replied. “We’re not going to hurt her anymore unless she gives us reason to. For now, your master wants her and we’re here to deliver.”

            Jaden listened and tried to scream at them but the gag stuffed into her mouth muffled her voice. In her thoughts, she was fearful for the worse. “Why are they doing this? Was Viper Vader’s master this whole time? Did Viper corrupt Lucas and Markus during my absence? What are they going to do to me? Once I get off these bonds, they’re going to get it!”

            The pilot came to a stop by the base of a massive, stony mountain, stopping the others before him. Jaden looked up the mountain and was amazed by the structure, with multiple spiky rocks poking out of the top and pointing straight to the dull, grey skies. She was then reminded of Isla Muerta, an inactive volcano in Dissidia that, according to her mother’s stories, appeared similar.

            “Traitor’s Legacy!” the pilot shouted, his voice echoing up the mountain. Jaden immediately assumed that it was a passphrase of sorts. Her suspicions were correct.

            A door, concealed within the mountain, opened up and slid down into the ground. Sand flowed down the door like a waterfall and dusts covered the area like a haze. As the dusts settled, a dark hallway was revealed and the pilot gestured to the others to follow him.

            Lucas and Vader brought Jaden into the hallway, walking past metallic doors and several startled cultists. The area was barely lit, though the pilot moved through the halls as if he lived in it. The cultists they walked by followed them, Jaden guessing that they were curious what she was doing in their hideout. Deep within the lair, the pilot came to a stop at Elysia Starnova, Dark Viper’s daughter in Jaden’s eyes.

            “Mistress Starnova.” the pilot greeted with a polite bow.

            “Captain Brandon.” Elysia returned. “I see the mission was a success.”

            “You can bet on it sis.” Lucas replied. Jaden turned to him, surprised to hear him called Elysia “sis”. His words stung her in her heart, shocked to hear her own brother betraying her and calling someone else a sister. She wanted to shout in anger but she knew well enough that she could not.

            “He’s already in the interrogation room. You boys, and machine, can go in.” Elysia told them.

            With a nod, the pilot turned to a door, conveniently labeled “Interrogation Room” and slid the door open before entering. They pulled Jaden in and her body went cold at the sight of the man who had been hounding her throughout her journey.

            “Dark Viper.” Jaden spoke in her thoughts as she looked at the intimidating man, his arms crossed while leaning on a wall. He barely reacted to her presence, glaring his violet eyes at her.

            “Wait a minute!” Jaden said in her thoughts. “Didn’t he have glowing green eyes? They’re violet now.”

            Viper turned to a nearby chair, which Jaden noticed upon further observation was an old technology of the Salvagers: An interrogation chair. The imperial purple, metallic chair was equipped with straps meant for ankle and over-arm wrist restraining. Several robotic arms were installed on the sides, meant to torture victims strapped onto the chair. The very sight of the chair sent chills of fear up her spine as the chair was infamous for breaking a victim’s will.

            Viper turned his eyes towards the chair, gesturing the others to place her on the chair. Knowing what awaited her, she began to struggle as much as she could, not willing to suffer through the pain of an interrogation chair. Realizing that it would be difficult to hold her down, Vader electrocuted her for a brief moment, stunning her. They then untied her wrists and ankles before bringing her to the interrogation chair.

            They strapped her ankles and tightened it, knowing well enough that Jaden, if agitated enough, could free herself. They then brought her wrists to the straps over her head, fastening and tightening the restraints, leaving her in an over-arm position. However, before they could properly secure the restraints, Jaden recovered and released a powerful force of Light Energies around her, pushing Lucas and Markus away. Vader remained and he continued securing the restraints. Waving her fingers, Jaden zapped him with Dark Lightning but the force was not powerful enough to stop him.

            “Jaden! Settle down!” Dark Viper exclaimed before approaching her and holding her down by her shoulders. Upon making contact with Viper, her heart began to burn with intensifying rage. With a loud, muffled scream, she released a powerful Light Energy force that pushed Viper away. He was flung towards Elysia, who caught her father and cradled him like a child.

            “Hi dad.” Elysia said with a sarcastic smile. Clearing his head, he pushed himself off Elysia and brushed off dust from his hoodie. Despite the force of her power, Jaden remain strapped to the chair and Vader was done restraining her.

            “Jaden!” Lucas managed as he recovered. “Will you stop fighting back? You want to kill your own dad?”

            His words rang in her ears. Jaden ceased her struggles, breathing heavily from her exertions, before turning to Lucas.

            “Dad?” Jaden said in her thoughts.

            She then turned her attention to Viper, who closed his eyes and lowered his head. His reaction, to Jaden, seemed like he was startled. However, Jaden shook her while speaking through her gag, “No. No. You’re kidding Lucas. You must be.” She could not believe what she just heard.

            “I’m not kidding! He’s your dad! What? You didn’t know?” Lucas replied, noticing her disbelief.

            Markus approached him, punched his shoulder and scolded, “Of course she didn’t know you idiot! Thanks for spoiling the surprise!”

            Elysia’s brow lowered while her teeth bore, seemingly as surprised as Jaden. “What? Dad?” she queried. She held Dark Viper’s shoulder and asked, “He’s kidding right?”

            However, Viper shook his head slowly.

            Elysia pulled back her head, amazed by his answer, “Is that why Lucas and Markus has been calling me ‘sis’?” Viper did not reply.

            After a brief moment of silence, Viper ordered, “Vader… Markus… Lucas… leave us. Elysia, come in here and close the door.”

            Complying, the trio left as Elysia walked in and closing the door. Viper approached Jaden and pulled out the gag in her mouth. Still exhausted, Jaden began breathing through her mouth.

            “Lucas…Lucas is always known for fooling around…he didn’t just call you ‘dad’ unless I have turned crazy.” Jaden muttered out, trying to assure herself that Lucas was wrong.

            “You weren’t crazy Jaden. I heard it too.” Elysia replied. Glaring at Viper, she requested, “And I think we deserve to know the truth.”

            In her mind, however, Jaden was hesitant to know the “truth”.

            Remaining silent for a few seconds, he then confirmed Jaden’s fears, “Lucas…wasn’t lying. Jaden…Jaden Highland…my real name is Blaze Hazard. Yes…I’m…your dad.”

            Jaden’s eyes widened with surprise while her body went cold at the revelation. “What?” she managed. Viper, however, did not react. He then turned to Elysia and added, “And Elysia…that makes Jaden your adoptive sister.”

            “What? You never told me any of this when you first brought me in!” Elysia exclaimed. “Why are you keeping secrets from me? You mean to tell me that I’ve been trying to kill your daughter…my sister…this whole time?” She poked Viper’s chest and continued, “And you’ve been trying to kill your own daughter? How could you?”

            “Elysia…calm down…” Dark Viper told her but Elysia was not about to let him talk.

            “You don’t tell me to calm down after telling me something that I have the right to be angry about!” Elysia snapped. She grabbed his jacket and shouted at him while flailing him around, “You’ve fed and sheltered me for more than fifteen years and you’ve given me training that practically saved my life, just so that you could have me kill Jaden! And now that she’s our prisoner, you suddenly told me that she’s supposed to be my adoptive sister? You even killed her mother…wait…your girlfriend! You killed your girlfriend! What the fuck is wrong with you?”

            “Mom…” Jaden muttered out. Elysia and Viper looked at her, noticing the blank look on her face. “You killed her. And Dementius… Raydon… Lilian… Kiyara… Alinda… all your friends…” Her brow lowered as she glared at Viper with seeming anger.

            “You’re not my dad. You’re a monster!” she bellowed.

            Rather than fighting back, Viper simply closed his eyes while Elysia continued, “You’re damn right he is Jaden! For once we agree on something! This man was the lieutenant of that bastard Angel that killed my parents! I thought you were different, but you don’t even have any amount of humanity left in you anymore!” Pulling out her katana, she placed it at Viper’s throat and threatened, “And I’d be more than happy to be your executioner.”

            Viper reopened his eyes and said while barely moving a muscle, “Do it….I dare you.”

            Elysia remained silent.

            “I raised you to be a warrior that your parents would be proud of and by killing me; you’ve eliminated the biggest cancer that humanity has ever produced. So, if you have the guts to do it, kill me and you’ve saved this world.” Viper added.

            Elysia tightened her grip on the hilt of the katana, prepared to slice Viper’s throat open. However, she froze, hesitant to kill the man who ensured her survival throughout her life. Tears welled up in her eyes, unable to commit the deed despite Viper’s seeming encouragement. She pulled back her sword and muttered, “I can’t do it!”

            “I love you Elysia.” Viper said. “That’s why I don’t tell you everything. I don’t want to hurt you.” She looked up at her adoptive father and nodded. Jaden remained silent as she watched the whole ordeal, her attention fixed on Dark Viper, whom she still could not believe was her father. He noticed her glares and knew well enough that Jaden was in no mood for his explanation. Still, he was going to give it anyway.

            “Elysia, please sit down with Jaden and me. I have a lot of explaining to do.” Viper ordered. She replied with a nod before sitting on a nearby chair alongside her father and adoptive sister. “And no, I’m not releasing your ankles and wrists.” Viper told Jaden. “I can see it through your blindfold. You want to rip my head off. You’re going to have to wait until I’m done talking.”

            “You’re not my dad. There’s no need for any explanation.” Jaden reacted.

            “If you want, you can go ahead and scan my memories. It’s the only proof I have.” Viper offered. However, Jaden hesitated, noticing the seriousness in the tone of his voice. She was afraid of what she might see, hence she did nothing. Realizing that she has finally gave in, he started to explain himself.

            “Jaden let me start by telling you about my relationship with your mother. We were best friends, raised together by her father after my parents died in battle. I’m technically her adoptive brother but we know we are of different blood. We fell in love when we were in our teens and…well…we mated before we even planned on marriage. We planned to start a family so that’s the happier side of our past.”

            “That’s very vague dad.” Elysia interrupted.

            “What? You want me to explain the drilling involved?” Viper jested, surprising Jaden with his somewhat dry sense of humor.

            “Mom never told me anything about you being her adoptive brother.” Jaden told Viper.

            “No? Good. There are many things she and I aren’t proud of.” Viper reacted.

            “She’s been lying to me then.” Jaden concluded. “Everything she told me about you was a lie! She said you’re some kind of hero and that Dark Viper was a fallen student of yours! She claimed you died in battle…”

            “And to a certain extent, she’s right.” Viper interrupted. “Jaden, I understand why you’re angry but you must realize that she lied to you for a reason. I mean, how old were you when she told you about me? You think you can live a carefree childhood knowing that your dad was a murdering scum and the biggest traitor of all time?”

            Jaden remained silent, understanding the wisdom behind his words. However, as she thought about his words, she muttered our, “You keep hammering yourself. You know that you’re a traitor and a murderer, yet I don’t understand why you’re siding with Iblisan and destroying your own fellow humans!”

            Viper sighed and told her, “Look me in the eyes Jaden. Tell me the color of my iris. And then tell me the color of my iris during our previous encounter. I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed a difference by now.”

            “What does your goddamn eye color has anything to do with this?” Jaden bellowed.

            “It is what we call, Iblisan’s Will.” Viper answered. “A more stable and advanced version of Magical Overflow. If you see my eyes glowing green, you’re dealing with Dark Viper. But, when looking at these pretty violet eyes, it’s Blaze Hazard.”

            “I don’t understand dad.” Elysia said. “What’s this Iblisan’s Will?”

            “I’ve made a deal with the Angel himself.” Viper answered. “There was a time in my life when I was hated and rejected by my own fellow Salvagers over a matter I do not wish to discuss. I came across the helm which the great Ariel Silver used to banish Iblisan in the First World War. I told him of my problems and he said that if I free him, he will bestow upon me power beyond imagining. Being the fool I was, I accepted and he bestowed Iblisan’s Will on me, making me his personal puppet. Blaze Hazard died and Dark Viper was born that day.”

            “You were dumb enough to accept a deal with humanity’s greatest enemy?” Elysia reacted.

            “Power is something which every living being craves for.” Viper replied. “Many strive to take it at any cost while others will only snatch it at the most opportune time. However, many did not realize the danger that power pose to the untrained mind. Once the eyes start glowing, better start saying your prayers.” he turned to Jaden and added, “Believe me young one; I know this almost too well. I will never forget the twin lights that I saw.”

            “So, that’s it? You justify all your murders by saying that everyone wants power and that you were not in the right mind?” Jaden protested.

            “You clearly never dealt with Iblisan before.” Viper reacted. “That childish little debate you had with him on Nibelheim was nothing in comparison to when he knew your true desires. He’s called the Angel of Temptations for a reason you know. I was young and tempered. I wanted power and he knew that. I became his living weapon and he threw me to the Salvagers. With my newfound strength, granted at the cost of my freewill, I slaughtered all that stood against Iblisan and indoctrinated those who surrendered or worshipped him.”

            “And mom?”

            “She, Dementius and the rest fought against me…or rather…Dark Viper. They tried to kill Viper but…they failed. However, they survived. Your mother tried to save me…forcing Viper to relive my memories and calling me back from within this shell. Still, she failed. In shame of their defeat, they ran to Qurrentine in exile, hoping to hide from Viper and Iblisan until the right moment. That whole time, however, I never knew that your mother was pregnant with my child…children. Fortunately, the battle with Viper did no damage to you or your brothers.”

            “And then you killed her.”

            “Jaden, you know well enough how Magical Overflow works. Iblisan’s Will is no exception, though my actions were controlled by Iblisan for the most part. He discovered her location and realized the threat your mother and her friends posed to him. He sent me…Dark Viper…to kill them.”

            “I don’t believe you.” Jaden insisted. “If you’re under Iblisan’s control, why are you free from his control now?”

            “Because he has no need of me for now, so he let me go…temporarily. Besides, he hated Dark Viper. He couldn’t stand Viper’s ego and selfishness. He preferred Blaze Hazard as I am calmer and quieter.” Viper replied.

            “Yet, you talk like as if you don’t miss mom one bit.” she added, noticing that he sounded casual and calm even though Glacier’s death was less than a year before.

            “What the hell do you want me to do about it? Cry?” Viper replied. “Jaden, I witnessed Viper killing the love of my life using my body and almost killed you. You could not even imagine the amount of guilt I felt when Iblisan freed me from his control. I was close to committing suicide!” he shouted.

            Jaden and Viper stared at each other in silence, witnessing the anger of the other. Jaden was not forgiving over Viper’s actions while Viper was not gleeful over the idea of revisiting old wounds.

            Viper lowered his head and broke the silence, “I was a depressive mess over the murders my body committed on that day. I contemplated suicide but I knew it would do me no good. I’ve already mourned her death Jaden. There’s no need to keep mourning forever. It is time I let her go. I hope you already have. Right now, we must focus on what’s important and that is the Second World War.”

            He then looked at Jaden and continued, “Iblisan must pay for his crimes but I knew I couldn’t defeat him alone. After the fight Viper had with you, I knew you were the one Dementius mentioned in his vision. My hope in our future was restored. I then began gathering cultists who doubted the cult’s beliefs and now, I have a small army prepared to turn against their former brethren.”

            “Wait dad, are you implying…” Elysia said as her sentence trailed.

            “Yes.” Viper replied. “We’re siding with the Liberator Alliance.” He then turned back to Jaden and told her, “But…we’re not getting involved…at least not yet. Once I get close to Iblisan, Dark Viper will return. Until the right moment comes, we will remain in the shadows.”

            Viper reached out for straps restraining Jaden and released her. She rubbed her wrists, wiping away sweat before looking up at Viper and noticing him standing up while asking for a handshake.

            “Now…I just need you to trust me Jaden. What Dark Viper did was wrong but let us focus on the war now.” Viper told her.

            Jaden looked back at forth from his hand and his face, thinking about how Viper’s assistance would be a tremendous help to the Liberator Alliance but fearful that her trust could be betrayed. Her mother’s death was still in her mind, however, and she could not erase the blood on Viper’s hands. Jaden stood up and readjusted her apparel. She glared at Viper, who waited patiently for her answer.

            “I accept your help.” Jaden answered. “But the blood of my mom and her friends, and millions of other innocents, are still in yours hands, Dark Viper. We’re allies now, but I will never forgive you for what you did.”

            “But Jaden…” Viper spoke before being interrupted.

            “And I will never…ever…acknowledge you as my father.”

            Her words forced Viper into silence. He sighed and pulled back his hand. He nodded before breaking the silence, “So be it.”

            “Jaden…” Elysia muttered. She tried to place a hand on Jaden’s shoulder but Jaden walked out of the room, past Viper, before she could reach her.

            “I don’t blame her for being angry.” Viper told Elysia. “Dark Viper and I share the same body. When one commits a crime, both are responsible for it.”

            “But you can’t blame yourself over something Dark Viper did.” Elysia reacted.

            “No?” Viper replied. “I created my monstrous alter ego when I made a deal with Iblisan. Whatever he did, I am to be blamed.”

            “But that isn’t fair for you.”

            “There’s nothing fair about the world we live in. You ought to learn that by now.” Viper told her. Elysia sighed, reluctant to agree with him but understanding his words. Viper turned to her, held her shoulders and instructed, “Give Jaden some time alone. She needs it.”

*     *     *

            “So, anyone have a plan to rescue our damsel in distress?” Reed asked as he paced back and forth within the briefing room. The crew had gathered after recovering from the surprise attack of Lucas, Markus and Vader, an attack that Reed marginally avoided.

            “No? We just pray and hope that Jaden managed to escape on her own?” Reed queried when no one reacted to his previous question.

            “What can we do lad?” Tareshah retorted. “We got double-crossed and we have no idea where they have taken the lass. Even if they brought her to Viper’s lair, we have no idea where that place is.”

            “I don’t understand why they would turn against us.” Jaina pondered. “Markus and Lucas are her brothers and Vader was supposed to protect her. That’s his programming.”

            “Robots like Vader can’t be trusted. I always knew he would try something like this.” Reed expressed.

            “Trustful or no, Vader’s betrayal is very unusual. He’s been programmed to protect Jaden, yet something seemed to have modified it.” Gavin suggested.

            “But Markus and Lucas…don’t tell me Viper suddenly know how to mind control others.” Kida said.

            “Quite likely. Viper’s a very powerful human.” Xiara replied. “Still, I never heard of him ever resorting to mind-based spells. He normally prefers to devastate his enemies rather than manipulate them.”

            “Look fellas, I don’t rightly care why they turned against us. I’m more worried about Jaden’s safety so can we please have a plan. She’s probably in Viper’s lair so anyone knows where it is?” Reed retorted. Still, there was no answer from the rest. He sighed and lowered his head, disappointed that they were helpless in saving Jaden.

            In his thoughts, Reed actually knew where the lair was. He pictured the concealed door in his mind and the surrounding forests. The thoughts caused him to flashback to the time he assaulted Viper’s lair singlehandedly and escaped with his life intact. Only Jaden knew of his association with Viper and he did not want the others to suspect this connection. He has been bluffing them about not knowing the lair’s location. However, with Jaden’s life at stake, he had to disclose the lair’s location to the others.

            “Ok…actually…I know where the lair is.” Reed admitted. “I’ve been to this planet before. I know where Viper’s lair is.”

            The rest of the crew, startled by the revelation, looked at Reed with their brows rose and their jaws ajar in awe. “What?” Gavin reacted. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

            “Listen, I’m not really ready to tell you guys how I know of his lair’s location. Right now, Jaden needs us so let’s save this for later.” Reed proposed. Though their attention was still fixated on Reed’s knowledge of the lair, they nodded in agreement, much to Reed’s relief.

            “Alright, I know where the lair is but I think it is safer if only two of us go in. I must go because a password, which I know, needs to be used to enter the lair. The other must accompany me in case I need help. Since I know the password, we would pose as cultists and try to infiltrate the lair. The rest will either guard the ship or follow quietly behind us.” Reed explained.

            “I’ll go with you Reed.” Gavin volunteered after raising his hand. “The cult seemed to favor men in their ranks so you and I would be ideal for the infiltration.”

            “You guys really think you can just waltz in without their uniform?” Kida questioned.

            “Viper’s men are different.” Reed replied. “They don’t wear uniforms. They’re more casual. Elysia serves as the best example.”

            “And how do you know that?” Tareshah queried.

            “Why don’t you ask Kida that? She was Viper’s student once.” Reed retorted.

            “I’ve never been to his lair.” Kida reacted.

            Reed brushed aside her comments and continued, “Anyway, Gavin, we need to use fake identities. The cultists there would probably recognize our names so any ideas of what names we should use.”

            Gavin rested his chin on his fist, brainstorming on ideas. Before he could come up with something, Xiara raised her hand and said, “I have an idea. How about reversing your names?”

            Gavin turned to her and replied, “What? You mean, using our names in reverse? Like…Nivag for me?”

            “Yes. I once infiltrated a rebel base by reversing my name. Araix was hard to pronounce. They thought I was a new recruit asked to pole dance in front of several men as a form of initiation. Those men are dead now.” Xiara elaborated.

            “Hmph, we never asked for an elaboration but at least we now know that aliens are not as smart as they claim.” Kida jested. “Knowing these cultists, they will surely fall for this.”

            “Alright. So, my name will be Nivag then.” Gavin said.

            Xiara chuckled and turned to Reed, “And your name will be…” However, her sentence trailed when she realized something wrong about reversing his name. She giggled at the thought, though she attempted to control her laughter. Soon, the others laughed with her as they slowly noticed that Reed’s name in reverse would make a horrible fake name.

            “What?” Reed asked, unsure on why the others were laughing.

            “Dude, your name in reverse is a fucking joke.” Kida managed.

            “What do you mean? My name’s Reed. R-E-E-D. In reverse, that would be D-E-E-R…Deer.”

            “You really want to walk into Viper’s lair with the name Deer?” Jaina asked. “We ought to give you antlers. That will surely fool them.”

            “And I ought to give you a collar so that I can call you a bitch.” Reed retorted. “Listen, I am not walking into that lair with the name Deer! I will think of a different name along the way so quit laughing already!”

            “Fine fine.” Jaina said while struggling to control her giggles.

            “Let’s all get ready. We may have to deal with Viper without Jaden so let’s be prepared for the worse.” Gavin said as he made his way to his room to fetch his rifle. The others, complying with him, made their way back to their individual quarters to prepare.

            “And remember that only I should untie Jaden if she’s tied up or unlock her cage if she’s imprisoned.” Reed told the others as they made left the briefing room. “I am her knight in shining armor.”

            “Yeah yeah, whatever.” Jaina retorted. “You can gallop in like a deer and gore your way through for all I care. They will surely be enthralled by your bestial innocence.”

            “Deer don’t gallop…do they?” Reed asked.

            Jaina shook her head, scoffed and replied with sarcasm, “Break a leg Reed. I think you might need it when you walk into Viper’s lair.”