Inside the makeshift infirmary, Nova didn’t realize how heavy the SoldierBot armor had become until Cybel and Oxford finally freed her from its weight. The nanobots left tiny pin-sized holes in crisscrossing mesh patterns across her forehead, neck, arms, torso, and legs.
“That’ll go away in a day or two,” Cybel said.
Nova was too exhausted and aching to care as she stumbled out of the exoskeleton, relief washing over her like a crisp ocean wave. She was safely inside the Planetarium campus where they’d set up a joint Command Center comprised of the north and west factions. She barely registered the cheers that erupted outside the door, in the hallways and staging rooms, as their people celebrated the victory at the Willis Tower.
Her eyes landed on Cybel and Oxford. “You did well, Nova,” Oxford said.
“Understatement of the year,” Cybel added, and Nova chuckled, wondering where she’d picked up on the phrase.
The makeshift base, situated at a strategic point in the city where they had access to boats as well as vehicles, was buzzing with activity. The hallways echoed with excited chatter. The defeat of Mach X’s Chicago headquarters had sparked a new wave of hope. But as Nova pushed herself off the sickbed and looked around at the faces brimming with renewed hope and determination, she knew their fight was far from over.
“You should rest,” Cybel said.
“Not now.” A bone-weariness weighed on Nova as she made her way through the narrow corridors, passing by the hodgepodge of rebel fighters, technicians, and liberated bots.
Not far from her room, she found Sweep dusting cobwebs from a built-in shelf. The robot’s eyes lit up. “You’re up. How do you feel?”
“Meh.” Nova was in no mood for small talk or pleasantries. She had work to do. Leaving unfinished business was the kind of thing that drove her crazy, even though her body was bruised, her muscles screamed in protest, and a throbbing headache was beckoning. But rest was a luxury she couldn’t afford. Not yet.
Gritting her teeth, Nova headed for the main hall that functioned as an assembly space. She needed to talk to Samantha Baxter and ensure the victory they’d achieved wasn’t squandered.
Samantha sat at a table with a man and woman she didn’t recognize. Nova hesitated at the entrance for a moment, then walked over, doing her best to not to wince with every step.
Samantha turned, her gaze settling on Nova. A slow smile broke out as she nodded at Nova. She gestured to a wrinkled map of the city spread out on the table before them. “Come, join us.” She looked at the others. “This is Nova.”
The man stood. He had a sturdy build and a rugged appearance, with scars etched on his face and a thick beard that obscured his neck. He extended his hand. “Name’s Ivan. I lead the far west forces around what used to be Oak Park. I heard you’re the one who took out the tower. Impressive.”
Nova shook his hand despite her sore muscles. “Thanks. But it was a team effort.”
The woman, her blond hair tied back in a long braid, rose but kept her hands by her sides. “And I’m Sarah.” Her voice was soft but steady. “I’ve been holding on in the South Loop. Now it’s going to be easier, thanks to what you did.”
Nova nodded and slid into the vacant seat next to Samantha as the others sat back down. One chair remained. “There’s someone else who should be at this table.”
Samantha had a sharp gaze, one that had seen the cruelties of this world and yet was lit with the stubborn flames of resilience. Samantha had been instrumental in organizing the scattered pockets of resistance. Her trust in Nova had brought many to her side, bolstering their numbers significantly. Nova had a deep respect for her, but the meeting, if they were truly planning the future for a united Chicago, was missing a crucial element.
Nova stood up and called out. “Cybel.” She tilted her head at the empty chair and immediately regretted it when her neck spasmed. She gritted her teeth and hoped she didn’t look as weak as she felt.
Cybel approached. “What’s the matter?”
Nova pulled out the chair. “You belong here.”
Cybel hesitated before sitting down, scanning the faces of the rebel leaders. Nova watched as the others welcomed her with vague nods, and she couldn’t help feeling a pang of anger at their coldness. Cybel was one of the most skilled strategists she’d ever encountered, and she’d risked her life countless times for their cause. She didn’t deserve to be an afterthought.
“So, let’s get to business,” Samantha said, pulling their attention back to the map. “Now that we’ve taken out—”
“Hang on,” Nova interrupted. She balled her fists. “I want to take on the elephant in the room. This is Cybel Venatrix. She might be the smartest being of anyone I’ve ever met. She deserves a seat at the table. She speaks for the robots. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t be celebrating a victory. Understood?”
There was a moment of silence as the rebel leaders exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond to Nova’s outburst. Finally, Samantha spoke up.
“I agree,” she said firmly. “We can’t forget that the bots are fighting alongside us, risking their lives just as we are. They deserve a say in what happens next.”
Sarah nodded, and Ivan grunted in agreement. “Fine. Cybel, you’re welcome at this table,” he said.
Nova relaxed her shoulders as Cybel nodded and everyone’s attention focused back on the map.
After a few minutes of strategizing how to move forces about the city and divide up downtown, Nova couldn’t help her frustration. “We did well at Willis Tower, but that was just one battle. The war’s still on.”
Sarah raised her eyebrows. “You took down the SoldierBots. We control the city now.”
“Mach X is still a threat. There are more SoldierBots, more cities and towns enslaved, and innocent lives at stake. This is just the beginning.” Nova scanning the table, meeting every gaze. “And this fight needs to be coordinated.”
She continued, “We need to stand together. Organized. With a name that signifies our unity and what we stand for.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “We’re the Chicago Defenders.”
Cybel folded her hands together. Samantha leaned back, a smile threatening to break free. Ivan’s fingers tapped a slow rhythm on the table, a sign of his contemplation.
Samantha broke the silence. “Chicago Defenders . . .” she echoed. “I like it.”
Nova dug a thumbnail into her left palm to hide her nerves. This was a significant step, a declaration of their identity and their mission. It was crucial that everyone agreed that the name resonated with their mission.
Cybel said, “A name to rally behind. A new start.”
Ivan and Sarah didn’t object. Samantha gave a single, decisive nod. “It’s decided then. We’re the Chicago Defenders.”
Nova’s aching limbs pulsed with a renewed energy. They weren’t just a group of rebels anymore. They were the Defenders. Protectors of their city.
“There’s something else,” Nova said. “A task left to accomplish. Something I promised Samantha.”
Her gaze found Samantha’s. Samantha’s face was unreadable, but Nova saw the flicker of anticipation in her eyes.
“Shane.” The name echoed around the room like a curse, stirring up an undercurrent of old grudges and fresh betrayals. “I promised to hold a trial.” Nova’s voice was unwavering despite the charged silence. “A fair trial.”
The others looked at Samantha. It was her twin brother Shane was accused of killing.
“He’s guilty, right?” Ivan asked. “Why not just kill him?”
“He deserves a trial,” Nova said. “Fairness, truth . . . these are our pillars. This is the world we’re fighting to create.”
Samantha held Nova’s gaze, then nodded. “Alright, Nova. We’ll respect your decision.”
Nova nodded. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it was the right thing to do. Everyone deserved a trial.
“But,” Samantha said, “we need a neutral judge. Someone who understands both sides.”
Nova was already on the same track. “I have someone in mind. Doctor Emery.”
“Who?” Sarah asked.
How to explain such a complicated story? Nova did her best but left out some choice parts. “She’s a scientist who used to work for Mach X. She left when she realized the true nature of his plans. She’s been in hiding with my friends, but she’s one of the few people who didn’t know Shane and can give an unbiased opinion on the matter.”
“Can we trust her?” Samantha asked.
“Yes,” Nova said. “She risked everything to leave Mach X. If anyone can be impartial and fair, it’s her.”
Nova found Geo and had him radio the farm and dispatch a truck. The trial needed to be swift.
Emery arrived the next day. Somber clouds hung over the reclaimed city. The ruins of Chicago were bathed in the early morning sunlight, casting long shadows across the debris-littered streets. Nova, in her newfound capacity as a leader of the Chicago Defenders, felt a tight knot of apprehension in her chest as she greeted Emery.
“Thanks for doing this,” Nova said. She’d hoped Block would travel with her, but he must’ve been occupied.
Emery looked around nervously before entering the makeshift courtroom inside the glass-paned planetarium hall. “Of course,” she said. “I hope I can help.”
Inside, the room was tense. Shane sat in a chair with his hands cuffed on his lap. He was flanked by two armed guards. His scraggly beard was gone—they’d let him shave—and he looked a decade younger than when she’d seen him in the holding cell.
Samantha was in the front row of chairs, her expression stony. Sarah and Ivan sat in the row behind.
Nova cleared her throat. “Doctor Emery, we summoned you here to act as a neutral judge in the trial of Shane Fletcher.”
Emery’s gaze flickered from Shane to Nova. “I understand.”
Nova continued, “Shane is accused of actions that led to the murder of Samantha’s brother, Ben. This trial will determine if he’s guilty or not. We ask that you listen to all sides before making a decision.”
Emery nodded again and took the judge’s raised seat at the front of the room. “I’ll do my best to be fair and unbiased.”
Samantha was to speak first. Her rigid, burning gaze locked onto Shane. The grief in her eyes was a raw, open wound. This trial was personal. “Shane got power-hungry.” Her voice held firm despite the fury that shook inside her. “He informed the SoldierBots of my brother, Ben’s location. Ben thought he was meeting with Shane to talk about an alliance. He ended up walking into a trap. The Bots shot him seventeen times.”
Samantha’s voice cracked. She steadied herself by placing her hands on the table in front of her where she stood. “He betrayed us for his ambition. And for what? Nothing was gained. My dear brother, Ben, was ripped away so young.”
Emery scribbled notes on a legal pad, her expression stoic as Samantha recounted the fateful day that Ben was killed. Nova knew that Emery was taking in every detail, analyzing each word.
Shane’s face remained impassive. When Samantha finished speaking, Emery turned to Shane. “Mr. Fletcher, what do you say to these allegations?”
Shane looked at Emery, then spared a glance at Nova before addressing Samantha. “I did inform the SoldierBots of Ben’s location. But I never intended for him to be killed. I thought he’d be taken prisoner and used for leverage to make the west side give up their territory.”
“Go on,” Emery said.
Shane hesitated. “The SoldierBot in charge wanted information on the west side rebels, and Ben would’ve been a valuable source. They told me they’d back off on my troops if I gave up the west. It was a mistake. I should’ve refused. But I was scared. Scared for my own life and those of my people.”
Samantha bolted up from her seat. “Coward! You knew what Mach X was capable of. You knew you were sending Ben to his death.”
Shane lowered his chin, his mouth twisted in a frown. “I was wrong. I regret it every day.” He turned to Emery. “I admit my guilt. I acknowledge the pain and suffering my actions have caused. My actions took the life of Ben Baxter.”
The words hung in the air. Nova swallowed, choking back a lump in her throat.
The silence was broken by Dr. Emery’s measured voice, “Thank you, Shane. The court acknowledges your confession.”
After a short recess, Emery delivered the verdict to the small group of witnesses. “In view of the severity of the crime committed and his admitted guilt, I find Shane guilty. His punishment is to be exiled from the city of Chicago and its outlying suburbs.”
Shane lowered his head where he sat. Nova searched Samantha’s face. She saw the hardness in her eyes soften, her shoulders loosened a touch. Perhaps it wasn’t the punishment she’d sought, but there was a semblance of closure, a relief that justice had been served. Her brother’s murderer was to be banished, erased from their lives and their city.
As Shane was led away, Nova caught up with the two guards. “Give me a moment, please.”
Shane faced her with a half-smile, his hands cuffed in front of him. He was once her friend and lover, now a condemned criminal.
“Shane,” she began, her voice low but firm.
He met her gaze, his eyes betraying no emotion.
“I once loved you. You were my mentor and later my partner. But you chose power over people. What you did was unforgivable.”
A shadow passed over Shane’s face, but he didn’t break the gaze. “I’m sorry.”
“Goodbye,” she said.
And with that, the guards led him away. Nova turned and found Samantha waiting nearby. “You got your trial.”
Samantha looked at her with a new respect in her eyes. “You kept your word.”
A moment of understanding passed between them. A recognition of shared pain, regrets, and now a combined purpose. Perhaps they might even call each other friends someday, but this was just the beginning. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. With Shane gone and new alliances forming, it was time to rebuild and prepare for what lay ahead.
Hope surged in Nova’s heart. The Chicago Defenders would stand strong.