Kapitel 19: Past: Run
Lofgun, Coolyala, and the Wolves all gathered in the field, sitting in a large circle. Coolyala explained what she had come up with to Lofgun when he returned the night before, and now they would toss ideas around with the others to see what would be beneficial for the task at hand.
Coolyala told the Wolves of her idea. The first to speak was Coomarah. "I thought you would want the stones back in your hands again, not scattered about space?"
"I do want them back in my possession, but I'm hoping that scattering them will take the Ohuo's attention away from me and instead go in search. From what I've learned, there's billions and trillions of worlds, which would mean it would take them a long time to search."
Jin nodded. "That, or they could just take you and make you tell them where they are."
"They could try," she said slowly. "But it would be them being tortured while I get entertainment by watching them get flustered."
Jin leaned forward in his cross-legged position and said, "This won't be like your home, Butterfly. We aren't talking about childhood squabbles, but real torture."
Coolyala didn't have to ask how he knew so much about her. She knew. "I'm not thinking about little things, Jin. I know what will happen. I intend to make them suffer just as much as they make me."
Lofgun glanced between the two, and decided not to question either, but change the subject back to the original. "It would be best if we didn't let Butterfly get caught."
"But we should prepare for anything," Jin said in a low tone, a dangerous tone.
"The idea is to get the Ohuos to stop coming after me and to go on a goose chase," Coolyala hissed. "Put the stones in places but make sure they are searching for years or eons to come."
"Not to put a damper on this discussion," Keayo interjected hesitantly, "but Lofgun, you said that box is locked. How do we know they won't come back for Butterfly for that?"
Everyone stilled, not realizing the big loop they overlooked.
"They could figure it out quickly enough," Wong offered with great optimism.
Coolyala shook her head. "No. There isn't a way for them to figure it out without Lofgun demonstrating. There's no possible way to force it open, right?" she asked Lofgun.
"No. Once it's shut and locked, there's nothing to indicate it can open. There's no visible seam."
"Then theyll definitely be after me soon," Coolyala whispered, more to herself than to the group.
"So, since we can assume the Ohuos will be back, what do we do in case of Butterfly's capture?"
"Go with the plan," Coolyala said, looking up at everyone. "Whatever worlds we choose, you get the stones and scatter them."
"What about you?" Lofgun asked, growling a bit.
"My main priority are the stones," she said, looking at him with calm eyes. "I want them scattered. Don't worry about me."
"Not going to happen," Rinnowra stated, and there was a round of agreement from the others. "You're the only source of information we have about these things, Butterfly. I know it isn't much, but it is all we have. It's not like we can ask someone else. Besides, you were tasked with guarding them, not us."
"Which is why I want you all to scatter them whether I'm with you or not. When I get free or rescued, then I'll find a way back to you."
"We don't leave anyone behind," Lofgun growled.
"I don't let others die for me," she spat back. "Besides, I could learn more about what these stones could do while I'm with them."
Lofgun glared at her, for the first time being completely angry by her stubborn nature. "And what if you die, Butterfly? What if you don't get out?"
Coolyala hesitated, having never thought that far. But she knew her answer. "Then I would hope the worlds we choose were the right choices, for your sakes."
They all talked about different worlds after that, Lofgun explaining which he thought were best, and by sunset, they had a plan. When the group dispersed, he pulled Coolyala aside and waited until they were alone to say, "I don't like the thought of leaving you behind for some stones, no matter what they are capable of."
She softened her eyes, wrapped her arms about his middle and leaned her head on his chest. She then whispered what she hadn't wanted to with the others. "I could find the Bulldogs if you leave me behind, Lofgun. I could help them."
"While that is a brave undertaking, I still don't think you should be left behind."
"Even if I could give you your crew back, your friends?"
He tightened his arms. "You're my friend too."
Coolyala knew she had gone too far, knew she stayed much too long, if he was willing to risk every world for her life. It was a mistake to have given him and his crew her trust, because it would kill them.
She didn't say this, however, but promised him what he wanted to hear. It was not a promise she intended to keep, but one she would break. She didn't care if it hurt him. Becoming this close had not been part of her plan, had not been how she wanted to hurt Lofgun or his crew. They were only supposed to help. They were only supposed to give her what she needed to get back to protecting the stones, then she was to leave them behind, possibly never see them again.
But he cared for her. The Wolves cared for her.
The worst part was she cared for all of them too. She wanted to forget the stones and stay here with them, to keep the routine they'd built, to never wonder about the future or other worlds for the rest of her life. And to not worry about ruling one world in particular, a world she felt she didn't belong with.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein