Chariots of Heaven

  * * *

  The trip back to Ishkur didn’t take long, as Aithos kept the ship at full throttle the entire way. Even his landing in the hangar was faster than expected, but Kira appreciated the haste and was grateful that he was taking her seriously.

  Much to her surprise and relief, finding Velion was quite easy as he was standing near the entrance of the hangar, flanked with nearly a dozen guards. She expected Velion to look pleased to see them, but was surprised to find that he looked quite angry. Thanatos and Aithos exchanged puzzled looks as the three of them disembarked and made their way towards Velion and the guards.

  “Take the girl into custody. I want her stripped of her armor and imprisoned immediately. Leave the other two for now, I’ll deal with them,” Velion ordered his soldiers.

  “What? Why are you taking her into custody?” Aithos protested, placing himself between Kira and the approaching guards. The guards paused, looking back to Velion for further instructions.

  “I’d like to ask you the same question! What role have you played in this treachery, Aithos? Where have you been for the last 24 hours?” Velion demanded, ignoring the confused guards.

  “Treachery? What treachery?!” Aithos exchanged worried looks with Thanatos.

  Velion did not seem amused. “This morning I received a note that the human girls were responsible for the attack on Gaius 5, and that they had evidence stashed in their apartment. I went to question them, but found them missing from their room. Trying to disprove the note I took the liberty to search their quarters only to find that the tip was correct. I discovered several incriminating documents that indicate the girls played a role in the militant attack. So I ask you again, where have you been?”

  “You can’t honestly believe that this girl had anything to do with Gaius 5! She’s been confined to the palace since she arrived and under supervision, no less! How could she have orchestrated such an attack without anyone knowing?” Aithos roared, the anger in his voice growing by the moment.

  “Last chance, Son. Where have you been?” Velion looked livid.

  Hoping to quiet the hostility Kira pushed past Aithos and intervened, “Velion, there is no time for this! I had nothing to do with Gaius 5 and you know that. Someone is clearly trying to make all of you think that my sister and I are traitors and I think I know who it is.”

  Velion did not respond immediately. He leveled a piercing gaze at Kira and stared at her for a long time before saying, “You have my attention, but I would advise you not to lie. You have one chance to prove your innocence.”

  “So be it. If you want to know where Aithos has been I can tell you. He was with me, on Earth. He agreed to arrange a meeting with me and my father, who was in possession of very important information.” Kira could see that Velion was already dismissing what she had to say, but she pressed on, “I am not as distant of a relative as you think I am. My father on Earth wasn’t my real father. Someone in the royal family is.” She finished, hoping she caught his attention.

  “What is this? Is what she says true, Aithos?” Velion asked, but he would never get the answer. Just as he finished his sentence a cargo container exploded, throwing everyone in the hangar to the ground and knocking Kira unconscious.