The Uprising (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 2) (16 page)

I smiled passionately. “For you, Adomas. But it’s not over yet.”

I turned around and watched my ships finish off the few traitors who were still fighting on the theater floor. The enemy ship was flying around in the limited space, trying to save the others. Then, when the last soldier was killed, they sped up and flew to the outside. My ships followed them, but I knew the cowards would accelerate and get away. Still, I looked on and let out a woeful screech as they fled.
Samantha.

As the dust settled, I saw London march up the pathway. I gave him a harrowing stare when he stopped before me.

He kneeled and bowed his head. “We
will
get her back, My Ruler.”

I shook my head and moved past him. It was time to take matters into my own hands. “No.
I’ll
get her back.” I marched to the other soldiers and briefly looked them over. “Take the dead soldiers to the beach. Ally or traitor, it doesn’t matter. They will all receive a proper burial.”

“Right away, Great Emily.”

As they got to work and moved around, I saw them pick Adomas up and carry him to the outside. I put my hands on my hips and lowered my head.

London walked up from behind and took a deep breath. “And Lauren-Lynn?”

I waited a moment before responding. “She was vaporized. Still, I want you to find something that belonged to her and bring it to the beach. A brush, a pair of boots, anything. We will honor her soul as well.”

London gave me a bow and headed out with the other soldiers.

I stood there, still in shock after another outburst of betrayal. This time, I had lost three loved ones, but Samantha was my saving grace.
Our saving grace.
I had to find her and bring her back—by any means necessary.

A moment later, a devastating message came over my radio.
“My Ruler, thousands of soldiers from across the globe have turned on us and fled into space. In fact, the numbers are growing rapidly.”

I stood tall and looked up at my painting as I replied. “Don’t worry, soldier. Just let them escape. Once they are in space, my fleet will wipe them out.”

The soldier sent a speedy response. 
“Affirmative, Great Emily.”

Feeling sickened, and overwhelmed, I reached out to the nearest chair and held on tight, stopping myself from throwing up. I stayed there for a moment and closed my eyes.

My thoughts were scrambled, but there was one notion that kept me grounded.
This war will no doubt go down as the greatest challenge of my rule. But I have to stay strong. For Adomas. For Samantha. For my people.

I
woke up on a ship and rose. There was a group of soldiers surrounding me, and in the background, I could hear lasers blasting.

A soldier kneeled and helped me up and into one of the chairs that was built into the wall. “Are you all right, Juozas?”

I sighed and gave her a nod. “Yes—and thank you.” I gasped and looked around. “Samantha!”

Another soldier quickly stepped forward. “Worry not. She is safe.”

I found the soldier and saw him holding her. My eyes watered a little as he brought her close. The soldier handed Samantha over to me and I hugged her like I hadn’t held her in ages. It was now clear that I had somehow made it out of the theater safely, and with my beautiful daughter.
But how?

I looked up as I gently rocked Samantha and checked the soldiers. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces in the group. “Have you joined the rebellion, My Friends?”

They nodded as one. Then, one of them spoke up to explain. “Lauren-Lynn saved you from Adomas.” He solemnly looked around at the others with great shame in his eyes. “She’s dead.” 

When he looked back at me, I put my head down and closed my eyes, shedding a few tears. “Lauren-Lynn.” Finally, I stood up and stumbled to the control board. Out the window, I saw that we were in space, being chased by Mother’s massive fleet. “Have you contacted our rebel friends?”

A soldier in the cockpit gave me a quick response. “Yes, My Champion. We are united, and together, we will win this war.”

I turned around and went back to my chair. I sat down and kissed Samantha’s head. “Never again. I won’t ever lose you again.” The ship rocked, and I nearly fell over.

“They’re swarming us!” a soldier called out.

I looked around and handed Samantha to an idle soldier. “Watch her for me, please.”

She kindly took her and found a seat. I hurried to the cockpit and looked out the window. Our ship was being blasted relentlessly, rocking us as we dragged along. After a long silence, I looked down again and exhaled deeply. “This could be the end, My Friends.”

A
s always, the ceremony began when the sun started to set. I was at the beach with my
loyal
citizens, and there were a few soldiers sprinkled in the crowd. Dalia was standing with me by the shoreline as we watched our departed loved ones come forward.
I am grateful for your service, My Soldiers.

But no matter how hard I tried to overcome the tragedy, I knew there was one loss that would surely haunt me forever.
Adomas, My Love.

Ignas carried his deceased son in front, leading a group of soldiers who were carrying the others we had lost. I glanced at Dalia with tears in my eyes, feeling as if I had failed her. When Ignas got to the water, Dalia and I, and the never ending parallel lines of onlookers, stepped back a little to give him and the soldiers some room.

They formed a line with Ignas in the middle. Then together, they kneeled and released the dead bodies into the water. We all turned and faced the ocean. I stepped forward with Dalia and stood by Ignas. Everyone froze and stared as the bodies floated away.

I took a deep breath and moved ahead, stepping deeper into the water. As I gradually lifted my hand and held it out toward the ocean, my eyes locked onto Adomas. “Become one with planet Earth, my soldiers—
My Love
.” Heavy tears poured down my face as I continued, and my voice became choppy. “Fly with the sea. Let your souls escape the flesh...and return to the source.”

As I lowered my hand, a rage sparked inside me. I dropped to my knees and released an angry cry as I looked on. Adomas’s body drifted away at a steady pace. When he finally faded from my sight, I reached into the swaying water and dug my fingers into the cold sand. I grabbed hard and looked down at my reflection, feeling lost without him.

Even amidst my grief, I knew he would want me to go on.
To rule with grace, to end the war and bring peace to our society.
I lifted my head and stared at the orange sky. At last, the sun went down, and I made a lasting promise to Adomas.

“They will suffer, My Love.” I gave him an incensed smile as the sky darkened. “
They
—
will
—
suffer.”

––––––––

The End