LUCEM
LVI Chapter

But what about the plan to get our friends back?" ask Jimmy. “If we wait again.., before moving to save them, we could have been late.”

Marbella shook her head. “The plan to save the troops should be tied up in a plan to save 'us',” he said. “I'm sure the brains of the black forces are using our troop kidnappings as bait. Bullshit bait designed to pull us out into the open. They just hope we will step out of our protection long enough to give an estimate of our location and open the door.”

"What we've done now" said Jimmy, horrified softly.

I'm massaging my temples. It was the first time to hear the light of Marbella compromising on her plan.

"Is Superman still with us?" Ask Marbella then.

"No, she... I'm late to tell you, Miss Marbella.. Superman and the locket I was supposed to hand you over had disappeared shortly before the commotion" explains Jimmy.

"What kind of locket?" Ask Marbella.

Marbella and Jimmy seem to find something about the locket, their conversation getting serious. Marbella continues her discussion involving the entire remaining army of rats.

An explanation slid from Marbella's mouth.

"Their main goal is not the rats or me or Maria and Moonflower. All she wanted was—, ” Marbella glanced at me.

“That's what you said. That he wants Mars?” ask Jimmy wonder.

"Yes" answered Marbella.

“It's true— But it feels like I still don't understand. You have just explained all the reasons for us to go to war, but your plan of attack still makes no sense to us."

Moonflower could not hide her irritation. “We still have to make plans to fight,” he said. “We need a plan to find our friends, bring them back, and then, in the end, maybe have to—,". Moonflower held back her words.

"But I propose we wait for James to stabilize," Moonflower's tone softened again.

Debate ensues, Jimmy and several rats urge an immediate rescue of their comrades. While Jiso looked restrained, he spoke very little.

"I suggest we do a full and complete lockdown here until James is aware and the injured among us get treatment and improve. No one enters or exits the protective sheath. If any of you need emergency supplies, Moonflower and I can use our abilities to do something important to find what you need. Re-establishment will put troops everywhere around the sides in protective sheaths, monitoring any movement in this area, but as long as we remain isolated, we should be able to buy time, "the instruction of Marbella is long.

“But we don't know how long it took James to wake up,” Sam said. "Can be weeks—can never—"

“Our mission,” says Jiso, cut the talk, “must protect Mars by all means. If we lose him, we lose everything. Therehewas. That's the whole plan now. Keeping Mars alive and safe is a priority. Rescuing the hostage-takers is the second. Besides, they'll be fine. Most of us have gone through worse basic training simulations.”

The whole mutter ended up among the rat troop.

Jimmy made a vote of approval.

"What about me?" I protest.

Marbella looked at me then, and for a moment, she faltered. "We will do our best" he said. And even though her words sounded very sympathetic, that was all she gave me. Without additional explanation.

I feel my heartbeat start to surge. Feelings of being suddenly isolated. I said goodbye to check on James.

"So we just have to risk letting them die?" sam's Voice. “We're supposed to bet on the life of a human being for our rats? Why not let him get involved directly and hope for the best? Are you serious?"

I held back my steps and stayed behind the wall to listen.

"Don't what we've been doing all this time for them a sacrifice and loyalty?" Back Sam's voice was high.

"No, no," he said, panicking. “We need another plan. A better plan. A plan that saves everyone, and quickly.”.

Moonflower realized my existence, she walked behind the wall, looking at me as if she felt sorry for me.

That's enough to make me straighten my spine.

I turned around, the shock changed quickly. I stepped towards James' place in the care, sitting in the corner like a useless sack of meat. Moonflower enter. "What about you?" i told him. “What do you think of this? Are you gonna feel okay letting your own brother die or be threatened?"

The silence suddenly suffocated.

Moonflower did not answer me for a long time, and the room was too stunned by my foolishness to interfere. I had just broken the covert agreement to pretend to know nothing, but now that I had provoked the situation, everyone wanted to see what happened next.

Finally, Moonflower sighed.

It was not a calm and relaxed voice. It was a loud angry voice that only seemed to make him even more injured. He didn't even raise his head as he said, "I'm fine with a lot of things, Mars."

But I'm too far away to go back now.

"That's bullshit," I said slowly, my fists clenched behind my back. “That's bullshit, and you know it. You're better than me at protecting them.”

Moonflower said nothing. He did not move a muscle, did not stop staring at the same spot on the floor. And I know I shouldn't complain to her—I know she or Marbella are in a fragile state now—but I can't help it. I can't let this, for my sake, not be like this.

The silence filled the room. Breathing out James. I jumped over.

Moonflower gave some quick action. Face paled. Moonflower sat in the chair, giving an answer that cut the remnants of my hope to James.

“So so? After everything—only that? You're gonna let James die?” My heart was pounding hard, hard and heavy on my chest. I felt frustration peaking, circling as James took his breath one by one heavily. I've never seen death so close, it strikes my serenity.

Moonflower stands.

Hurry, too fast. Moonflower stood up and I suddenly apologized. I felt a little angry but now I feel nothing but regret. I took an uncertain step back. Moonflower followed. Suddenly she stood in front of me, watching my eyes, but it turned out that I could not hold her gaze for more than a second. Her eyes are so pale green today— currently—

"Look at me," he said.

"Um, no, thank you."

"Look at me" he said again, this time slowly.

I don't get it. The other pain in that eye....

"Mars, I've been through a lot of time and mortality, can you trust me? I have repeatedly had hopes of also seeing it destroyed. I'm upset too, but I'm not turning into a completely different person. And now, you seem like a completely different person. Where is that quiet guy? Where is the man who had a panic attack on the floor of his room but kept restraint? Where is the man who laughs so hard that his cheeks are dimpled? Where's the guy I thought was my friend?

“What happened to you, Mars?” Moonflower whispers. "Where are you going?"

His words restored my consciousness. I might just ruin something bigger and real with a careless, uncontrollable emotion. "I'm sorry" I whispered to Moonflower.

The light in his eyes returned. His hands are wrapped around my waist. "Thank you" he said slowly.