Broken: The Discordant Earth Series 1.0 Read online

  “They think you’re a rebel?” Jess screwed up her face. “That’s pretty stupid.”

  “Sure is.” Marly scratched his head. “You know me. All I care about is making people fat and happy. How could anyone make such accusations about me?”

  “I can’t imagine why anyone would want to accuse you of anything,” Alyssa said, patting his shoulder.

  “I’m sorry you girls had to see that. Come inside for some milkshakes. On the house.”

  “You don’t have to do that, sweetie.” Jess slung her arm up and over his shoulder. “You know we love you—and not just for your delicious candies.”

  Alyssa bobbed her head in agreement.

  “Aw, thanks, girls. Please, let me fix you your favorite shakes.”

  “Well, we were just going to Granny’s but—”

  “Oh! I’ll make you a doggy bag to take with you.”

  ***

  Alyssa and Jess barely made it through the front door before Granny spotted, and snatched, the distinctive red-striped bag. The girls giggled to each other as they watched the old woman toddle off with her prize, and while Jess helped serve up milkshakes and cookies, Alyssa placed a quick call to Jordan.

  Hugging Granny, she joined the pair at the kitchen table. “Jordan and Kora will be here after dark. How soon will Isa arrive?”

  “Not long, baby girl.”

  “Why is Isa coming here,” Jess asked, looking a lot more like her usual, bubbly self.

  “She had an argument with Kayn yesterday...” Alyssa raised her eyebrows while explaining around her straw. “I almost walked in on them. She left a note in my quarters, asking to talk with me.”

  “Oh, wow... She doesn’t seem like someone who picks fights, especially with the commander.”

  “No, she isn’t. They were arguing about how he killed my parents and almost killed me. She isn’t happy about the plan to kill humanity. He put her in her place and told her she doesn’t have a say in things.”

  “Oh, yikes.”

  “She sounded serious on the phone,” Granny said. “More serious than those aliens usually sound that is.”

  “I think she knows I overheard, but I’m not positive. I found her note on my table after my date with Kayn.”

  “You went on a date with Kayn?” Jess gasped, eyes nearly bugging out of her head. “How can you date him if he killed your parents? How can you even stand to be anywhere near him?”

  “Do you really want to know?” Alyssa cocked her head at Jess. “It has to do with the rebels, and you said you’re not ready to accept that the Szu’Kara are dangerous yet.”

  “Well...” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I mean... I trust you, Aly, and obviously Granny thinks the same thing, right?”

  “Sure do, precious.” Granny watched the exchange with her milkshake in one hand and a cookie in the other.

  “Then there’s Lorn...” Jess looked down at her plate, scratching crumbs off a cookie with her fingernail. “I’ve known him a long time and loved him almost as long... He wouldn’t say those things about his own people if they weren’t true.”

  “No, he wouldn’t—” Alyssa grabbed her friend’s hand “—he’s an honorable person, er... alien.”

  “I’m not saying it doesn’t boggle my mind, but I know you wouldn’t lie to me. I loved your parents, Aly. They didn’t deserve to die.”

  Tears trailed down Jess’ face, causing the other two women to start sniffling. Granny stood and squeezed between them, putting an arm around each of them.

  “You’re right, Jess.” Granny nodded solemnly. “They didn’t deserve what happened to them. The best thing we can do is move on with our lives. They would want us to save ourselves so we can live long, happy lifetimes.”

  “I’m sorry, Granny. It’s so horrible! I just can’t believe Kayn killed them. They were like a second set of parents to me. There’s no way I could even look at Kayn, much less date him. I’m not sure if I can continue to live among them, knowing they’re plotting to kill me!”

  “You have to be careful, Jess.” Alyssa plastered a serious expression on her face, and Granny started puttering around the kitchen. “They can’t suspect you know anything. You saw the way they treated Marly today.”

  Granny whirled around faster than Alyssa thought the old woman capable of. “What did they do to Marly?”

  “General Ass was harassing him,” Alyssa said, snorting. “Accused Marly of cavorting with the rebels. Can you believe that?”

  “Well...” Granny averted her eyes, guilt plain on her face. “The Johnson’s are regular ‘book club’ members.”

  “Oh, really?” Alyssa squinted at Granny. “How many people in this ‘book club’ do I know?”

  “More than you would guess, baby girl.”

  “Are they active coalition members?”

  “Oh no.” Granny scoffed, waving her hand at Alyssa. “They’re two sets of ears. Plus, they bring the snacks!”

  Jess snickered at Granny, who winked at her, as someone knocked on the kitchen door.

  “Well, looks like your newest ‘book club’ member is here.”

  Jess leaned over to Alyssa, a confused look on her face, as Granny ushered Isa into the kitchen.

  “What’s with the ‘book club’ deal?”

  “It’s a façade for the coalition members to meet without drawing suspicious eyes in their direction.”

  Jess sat back in her chair, muttering her understanding.

  “Isa.” Alyssa greeted the pensive alien. “Please sit with us. Have some cookies.”

  “Thank you,” Isa said, choosing a chair opposite Alyssa.

  “I assume you know I overheard you and Kayn arguing yesterday.”

  “Ahem, can you assure me we can speak with utmost confidence?” She eyed Granny and Jess.

  “You can speak openly here, dear,” Granny said. “Our lips are sealed. No one at this table, or anyone who will enter my home this night, will breathe a word of what is said. You can take that to the bank.”

  She gave Granny a puzzled look, who nodded reassuringly, not realizing Isa’s confusion about her use of the outdated colloquialism.

  “I suppose I have no choice but to believe you.”

  “Don’t you worry about a thing, Isa.” Granny tapped the table with her hand.

  “You can trust us.” Alyssa gave her an encouraging smile. “We are all aware of the big, bad plan to kill off us humans. Jess is very new to the topic, but she’s completely trustworthy.”

  Jess gave her a wide grin and a fist-bump to the shoulder.

  “I promise to keep my mouth zipped tight.” Jess turned her grin to Isa, looking pleased with herself.

  “So, you are aware Commander Kayn ordered the murder of your parents?”

  Those words were still a punch in the gut. “Yes, I’m aware.”

  “He intended for you to perish along with them.”

  “I’m aware of that, as well, and I know he’s playing it off as an accident, blaming a chemical spill. I also know what the chemical is and how the chemists are trying to find ways to release the poison on a massive scale. Kayn wants to kill everyone in one shot so we have no way to fight back, right?”

  “Essentially, yes.”

  “So, what can we do for you, Isa?”

  She glanced around at the faces watching her, folding her hands in her lap and pulling her shoulders back, she turned to Alyssa with determination in her eyes.

  “I believe Shar, and your Lorn—” Isa glanced at Jess “—are part of the group fighting to stop the commander’s plan.”

  “Okay...” Alyssa peeked at Granny to gauge her reaction. Seeing nothing definitive, she turned back to Isa.

  “I would like to offer my services to this group. I work closely with the commander, as you do. The difference is I am Szu’Kara, the commander and General Ras speak more openly around me. They often meet after you have left for the day, to discuss sensitive matters that pertain to the plan and our people.”

  “I
see... You inherently know more than I do anyway, since you are Szu’Kara. You may have more insight than I can offer, although there are already several other Szu’Kara providing information. How can we be sure you are earnest in your offer, not a spy for the commander?”

  “I have spoken to Shar. She has agreed to vouch for me. Other than that, you only have my word as I have yours.” She spread her hands out over the table, palms up, and Alyssa turned to Granny and Jess, silently asking for opinions.

  Jess pursed her lips, taking a second to think. “I think the decision is up to the leader of the rebels, Aly.”

  “Jordan will be here soon,” Granny said. “You might want to have him speak to her. He can then offer his opinion to the group.”

  “Great idea, Granny. I’m new to this whole rebel thing, so I don’t think I get a say in this kind of decision. But, Isa, I will put in a good word for you. You have my everlasting gratitude for trying to do the right thing, and I just have to say, thank you for sticking up for me to Kayn. I’m unable to do or say anything myself that might tip him off.”

  “Yes, you must take the utmost care with our commander. He has already made an attempt on your life.”

  “Do you know why he doesn’t just try again, or why he would want to kill his baby?”

  “I believe Ela has convinced him to, at the very least, wait for the child to be born. Those that are aware of you carrying his offspring are very curious about the result. Conceiving a child with the commander is a great honor. Children of the commander bloodline are always superior among our people. It is of great interest, to many, what your combined genetics will beget. I do not know why he would attempt to kill his own offspring.”

  “What if my baby is not genetically superior as Kayn hopes?”

  “I am unsure on this matter as well. Normally, all our offspring are sent to the Nursery. Your child is a unique case. Commander Kayn may decide an unsatisfactory result should be disposed of. It would be an embarrassment to the commander line, and he cannot allow such a display of weakness.”

  Alyssa gasped, and her face paled. “You’ve got to be kidding me? Kayn has absolutely no moral compass! This is his child. You should protect your children, not dispose of them!”

  Alyssa jumped up to walk off her agitation. Pacing by the kitchen windows, she realized night had fallen, and stopped to peek out the door. “Jordan and Kora are here.”

  “Oh, goody!” Jess bounced to the door.

  “Isa,” Alyssa said, looking pointedly at her, “you absolutely must not tell anyone what you’re about to see.”

  “You have my word.”

  With that, Jess shoved the door open, starting to run outside, but Alyssa stopped her.

  “Jess,” she said, hushed, “keep it down. You can’t make the baby cry or anything, the neighbors might hear.”

  “Oh, right.”

  They stepped back from the door, watching the two shadows approach the door. Jordan entered first, eyes darting around the room, waving Kora in before he carefully shut the door, and peered out through the lace-curtained window.

  “Paranoid?” Alyssa poked Jordan’s arm, snickering when he jumped.

  “He was like that the whole way.” Kora shook her head, eyes alight, and her mouth puckered. “No one saw us, Jor. I swear.”

  “We can’t be too careful.” He glared at them. “No one is taking my baby girl.”

  “I should say not.” Jess giggled at the paranoid young man. “Let me see the little angel.”

  Kora unpacked Lyssa from the baby carrier that seemed to swallow the child whole and passed the swaddled bundle to Jess, who immediately started cooing. Alyssa watched on with joy in her heart.

  It had been less than two weeks, but Kora appeared happy and healthy, the bruises on her face faded significantly. More than that, she almost seemed a completely different person.

  Alyssa actually detected some self-confidence in Kora’s demeanor as she stood a little taller and held herself more gracefully. Most importantly, she openly smiled with pride at her baby.

  Jordan, on the other hand, looked a little haggard, but that could’ve been from this harrowing excursion, though. When he hovered over Kora and Lyssa, he did it with pride and joy in his eyes.

  “You two are glowing.” Alyssa pointed at the pair. “Parenthood must be good, then?”

  “Besides the not sleeping part and the dirty diapers, it’s been amazing,” Jordan said, chest puffing up.

  “I’m tired—” Kora gave them a sleepy smile “—but she’s such a great baby. She’s so aware of everything around her. She looks right at us all the time, and even holds her little head up on her own sometimes.”

  “Wow.” Jess bounced the baby gently.

  “They did say our babies would develop faster. It’ll be neat to see how she grows since we have nothing to compare her to.”

  “True enough.” Jordan nodded, pulling his ball cap off, and stuffing it in his back pocket until only the bill stuck out. “I love sitting with her in the courtyard and watching her watch the clouds float by. I can’t get enough of her!”

  Alyssa gaped. “She can see that far? How cool is that? Human babies can only see about a foot away or so.”

  “She’s a unique baby.” Kora beamed at the little angel. “I love her so much.”

  “May I see her?” Isa stepped away from the wall, where she’d been standing like a statue.

  Jordan zoomed in on Isa, as if he just noticed her presence.

  “Who are you?” He scowled, ready to pounce.

  “Jordan.” Kora quietly chastised him.

  “This is Isa,” Alyssa said. “She’s Kayn’s secretary. You need to speak to her about joining the group.”

  “The group?” His face scrunched up briefly before switching back to a scowl.

  “Yes,” Granny said, pointedly, “you should sit down with Isa. She is interested in joining your rebel group.”

  “Can we trust her? Why is she here? What if she calls the guards on us?” Jordan blurted his questions without stopping for air, startling the baby.

  “Calm yourself, boy.” Granny swatted his arm. “We wouldn’t endanger your loved ones.”

  Jordan glared at them, edging close to Jess and the baby. Kora paled, shoulders hunching as she scooted close to Jess.

  “Jordan, Kora, please relax,” Alyssa said in a calm, soothing voice. “Isa is on our side. Shar is vouching for her, and so am I. She wants to help.”

  “But—”

  “Please, just call Shar.”

  “Fine.” Jordan grumbled as he stepped into the hallway.

  “It’s okay, Kora.” Jess comforted the frightened mother. “We’ve known Isa for several years. She is kind and honest.”

  “Jess,” Kora asked, looking puzzled, “how do you know what’s going on? I thought you didn’t know about the rebels.”

  “Alyssa and Lorn filled me in. It was quite a shock, and I’m still trying to process everything. I just can’t believe how horrible things are out there, yet we’ve lived here so long without a clue. I guess ignorance really is bliss.”

  “Maybe for you...” Kora flushed, narrowing her eyes at the floor. “It was a huge relief when Alyssa and Jordan rescued me. I can’t tell you how much happier I am, even if we still have to be careful about exposure. I could live in a hole, as long as Jordan and Lyssa are with me.”

  Alyssa and Jess exchanged a surprised look, shocked by the change in the new mother.

  “Kora, sweetie,” Alyssa said, “would you mind if Isa held the baby?”

  Kora glanced over at Isa, who stood away from the group. She gave Kora a kind smile.

  “It has been many years since I held a baby,” Isa said. “Never have I looked upon a half-human child.”

  Kora hesitated, then nodded slowly. “I guess it’s okay...”

  Isa stepped forward, carefully taking Lyssa from Jess’ arms, and gazed down at the angelic face, her creamy eyes misting up. Not as cold-hearted or indifferent as most
aliens, Isa had still always been steely and taciturn. In less than two days, Alyssa witnessed her express emotions she didn’t think the alien capable of.

  “She is lovely.” Isa brushed her long fingers along Lyssa’s cheek, speaking softly. “She is the most beautiful child I have ever seen born of my people.”

  Lyssa cooed at Isa, who burst out in soft, joy-filled laughter.

  “Okay,” Jordan said, loudly interrupting the heartwarming moment, “Shar says to trust you, but I have to ask you a few questions, though, if you’re okay with that?”

  “Yes, that is acceptable.” Isa answered Jordan without looking away from Lyssa’s face. She returned the baby to Kora’s arms with regret in her eyes, and followed Jordan to the living room.

  Alyssa pounced on Kora, grabbing the baby before she could protest. Granny motioned for her to take a seat at the table, and immediately Jess and Granny sat on either side of her, crowding her to coo at the infant.

  “Kora, girl,” Granny said, still ogling the baby, “sit down and have some cookies. Marly sent them fresh today. You’re too thin for a new mother.”

  “Oh, nice!” Excitement laced Kora’s words. “You guys have me addicted to sweets now.”

  “Marly will be tickled pink to hear that.” Alyssa chuckled with her finger caught in a strong baby grip.

  “Gosh, Kora,” Jess said, mesmerized, “Lyssa is the most beautiful baby ever. Her eyes are just so gorgeous! And her skin… just wow.”

  “That reminds me—” Alyssa raised a finger “—Kayn pointed out to me, last night, that my skin has started shimmering. Look!”

  All the women turned to inspect her outstretched arm. In the kitchen light, the shimmer stood out, highlighting her light skin as Alyssa twisted her arm to show off the glittery shine.

  “Aly, that’s so cool!”

  “Yeah,” Kora said, head tilted to the side, “my skin didn’t do that.”

  “It probably has to do with Kayn’s superior DNA.” Alyssa scoffed with a grin.

  “That’s something, Aly girl,” Granny said, not looking too happy.

  “What’s up, Granny?” Jess asked.