Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Darkstar Part 1

Sub Terra base was up in arms when Jessica and her friends raced out of the tent. The alarm and red lights pulled sleepless faces, wrinkles of cluelessness, out of the barracks and into combat gear. The hustle inspired a tidal wave of tension under the loom of danger, which is why she quivered in place.

Seconds passed. The large hangar doors opened for the first time, much like how the rebels parted for Monarch. His calm gait contradicted their anxiety, again. He was expecting something or someone specific.

At first, a rabid hiss snuck through the corrugated hangar doors. By the time they lifted and clicked, a low, mechanical roar spilled through, a roar that jumpstarted into a cacophony of engines. Several sleek cars scurried into the base.

"No way," stammered Valerie.

Jessica darted. "Who are they?"

Too fast, the small convoy stopped in the middle of the path, nearly fumbling into the crates and gathered rebels.

"Hold fire!" said Monarch.