It was midnight in Octagon Veranda, but the chancellors were deep in discussion about the volunteers gathered in the main mission control unit. A crowd of fifty people filled the room, yet it was eerily silent as if everyone was waiting for someone to arrive. Suddenly, the door opened, and Chancellor Bstic entered.
"Did you find someone?" Jupiter Terko asked hurriedly. Bell shook his head, disappointment evident on his face.
Madam Jessy rubbed her eyes in frustration, while Elsa let out a heavy breath.
"Soldiers are required to sail the ship," Jupiter emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
"Well, we have Clarence. He's well-trained in sailing, and there are four other volunteer soldiers in the room," Bell said, nervously running his fingers through his hair.
"But no senior soldiers are volunteering! In every sector, there already has a senior scientist or engineer volunteered. In an emergency, who are the soldiers supposed to look up to? This is an expedition, Bell! A senior military person is necessary," Chancellor Terko complained, making Bell even more anxious.
"So what do you want me to do, Jupiter? I extended the volunteer sign-up deadline to tomorrow evening. All we can do now is wait and train the rest," Chancellor Bostic replied as calmly as possible. Jupiter exhaled deeply.
"What if there are no volunteers by tomorrow evening?" Madam Jessy asked concern etched on her face. Bell and Jupiter exchanged heavy glances.
"Let’s hold a lottery," the thin voice of Madam Blake cut through the momentary silence. Jupiter and Jessy looked at Elsa thoughtfully, while Bell's eyes lit up. This was why he disliked her! Always came up with terrible ideas at the worst moments, yet they were too good to deny.
"You mean from every soldier?" Madam Penny Brown asked, curious.
"Yes, from senior military personnel, excluding essential roles. It’s up to Bell," Elsa said, shifting her gaze to him. Bell, clearly upset, bit his lip.
"I'll arrange that by tomorrow evening," Chancellor Bostic finally said, letting out a breath. All the chancellors nodded in agreement.
"Good, let’s start this then," Jupiter said, turning to the expedition crew gathered in the corner of the room. Bell's eyes darted across the crowd before landing on a young girl in a black t-shirt under her chemical sector jacket.
"Wait, Miss Snow, you?" Bell asked, his voice laced with concern. Jupiter swallowed his words and turned to Bell, intrigued.
"Do you know her?" Jessy asked, curious. Bell glared at Jupiter in anger.
"I thought we agreed not to send children. She’s still 17!" Bell yelled. But before Jupiter could respond, the girl stepped forward.
"I agreed to do it because no one else volunteered. I'll be turning 18 next week. I’m not a child; it doesn’t matter," the young girl replied, confidence shining in her brown eyes. Bell looked at her worriedly.
"We talked about this, Jupiter," Bell said, turning toward him.
"I don't see any other option; she's the only senior scientist from the chemical sector who volunteered," Jupiter replied, exhaling.
"But she’s still not eighteen," Bell insisted, rubbing his eyes in frustration.
"Only a week younger! We gave her a chance to decide for herself," Jupiter countered. Bell's gaze shifted to Chancellor Johnson.
"You approve this, Kane?" Bell asked, concerned.
"I'm sorry, Bell. I tried to stop her," Chancellor Johnson replied, worry evident in his voice. Bell turned to Melvin with a heavy sigh.
"Is your brother aware of this, Melvin?" he asked tiredly.
Melvin was at a loss for words as she stared at Bell. Before she could respond, they heard a knock at the door, signalling someone was requesting permission to enter. Bell went to answer it, and Melvin knew without looking who it was.
As Bell opened the door, a tall twenty one-year-old boy with familiar brown eyes stood before him.
"Calvin, I think I know why you're here. I suggest you reconsider," Bell said, his voice pleading rather than commanding. The boy looked at Bell's face and then glanced over his shoulder at the people inside the room.
"Can you remove my sister from the team?" Calvin asked desperation in his voice. Bell looked at him, worried.
"No, Cal, I wish I could, but she has to decide for herself," Bell replied, glancing at his adopted son, whom he adored. He prayed silently to everything he knew asking to keep his boy away from the dangerous mission, "Why does it have to be my kid?"
"Then I need to talk to her. She's still 17 and under my custody. No one under 18 can join this kind of journey without permission from a family member according to the law," Calvin insisted, looking at Melvin, who was already frowning at him. Jupiter glanced between them, sensing another terrible idea brewing.
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"Calvin, I understand your sister is under your custody and that you're concerned for her safety," Jupiter said reassuringly.
"However, this expedition team is a perfect opportunity for both of you to bond while contributing to a noble cause. As a soldier, I know you are up for the challenge, and your skills will be invaluable to the team. You were the best student in your batch, if I remember correctly. I'm confident that you and your sister will come back stronger than ever."
Bell's anger flared at Jupiter's suggestion. It was clear he was trying to coax his adopted son into signing up for a dangerous mission. Calvin hesitated, torn between his concern for Melvin and the risks involved.
"I know this is a difficult decision, but I'm here to support you both, no matter what you choose," Jupiter added, sensing the tension in the room. Bell wished with all his heart that Calvin wouldn’t join his sister on this journey, but he knew Calvin would do anything for her. After a moment of heavy silence, Calvin spoke.
"I need to speak with her one-on-one; the sooner, the better. Can you help me with that?"
"Of course," Jupiter said, turning to Melvin.
"I don't want to talk to him," Melvin snapped, her tone filled with anger.
"Unfortunately, you are still under his custody," Bell interjected, creating space for them to converse. Feeling cornered, Melvin stormed out of the room to confront her brother. As soon as the door shut, Calvin turned to his sister with a fiery expression.
"What made you think I would let you do this?" he asked, staring at her as she braced for an argument.
"I don't need to consider how you feel. It's my life, my choice," Melvin replied firmly, causing her brother to become even more worried.
"I promised Mom that I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you," he said, gazing at her face, which resembled their deceased mother's.
"Before you got our father killed, I guess," Melvin shot back, striking a sensitive nerve.
"Quiet! Even walls have ears. Do you want me dead?" Calvin snapped, grabbing her hand and trying to pull her away.
"I'm not a murderer like you," she retorted, pulling her arm from his grasp, making it clear his help was not welcome.
"He was a drunken fool, a criminal," Calvin whispered, seeking relief from his own mind. He looked at her again, worry etched on his face.
"You know he never cared about us. You're alive because of me and our mom. I’m not responsible for his crimes; it was his own stupidity that got him killed. He tried to start a riot," Calvin said in a low voice, almost a whisper.
"Yeah, he never cared, but at least we wouldn't be orphans if he was alive. Then no one would call me an orphan!" she yelled, leaving him speechless.
"Hey, shhh..." he said, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. He looked at Melvin, frustration building.
"You don't have to be loud," he chided, noticing how she crossed her arms, questioning his feelings and decisions.
"We sat for the entry exam because we wanted to escape the orphanage. I admit it was hell, and I've apologized a thousand times for that. But if none of it had happened, you would never have become such an intelligent scientist—the youngest to top your batch!" He spoke gently, trying to change her mind about the dangerous expedition.
"Does that change the fact that you got him killed and everything else you did?" she shot back, trying to hurt his feelings.
"Listen, I didn't know he was keeping all that sensitive data about the council's decision to send people to Asia on that pen drive. He never cared about anyone; he just wanted money for more drinks. If he hadn’t acted so recklessly with Madam Penny's husband, he’d still be alive. And you better be quiet about this, or we both will be dead," Calvin warned, his expression serious.
"If you hadn't watched that video, he would still be alive, and you wouldn't have to be a murderer! What would Bell do if he knew what you did?" Melvin threatened, seeing his face pale.
"Are you threatening me? Go ahead, tell him. Take away the only family I have. Break up Bell and Mx with me. You can watch me get tortured. It'll give you great satisfaction to hear me scream," he said angrily, though his face remained pale. Melvin looked at him, concern in her eyes.
"You know I'll never do that," she whispered sincerely, but it didn't calm Calvin. She had opened old wounds, knowing how he struggled with his dark past.
"Dad died because of me? Fine, I'll take the blame. But I’m glad he’s gone because I still dream of him whipping me with that belt for stealing money to feed you. I never loved him. But I loved Mom, and she died because of you! Giving birth to you made her weak. That's why she died. She was the only person who loved me, and my life was ruined because you were born! I would be happy to be rid of you, but I gave my word to Mom." Calvin's anger erupted, leaving Melvin speechless and frustrated.
Tears formed in her eyes, but he didn’t know if they were from anger or sadness. At that moment, his heart sank as he saw two colossal teardrops on the brink of spilling. The thought of causing her such pain made him realize the gravity of his words.
"You'll find your peace when I die in Bermuda," Melvin yelled, wiping her eyes with her palm as she fled. Calvin hurried to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Em, I didn't mean it. Please, I can't lose you too. You'd better kill me instead." But his words couldn't stop her. She knew how much her brother loved her and the sacrifices he made for her, even while hating him for one terrible mistake. But anger is a terrible god, leading to unfair decisions and endless sorrow. She opened the door and disappeared.
Calvin punched the wall, pain shooting through his hand, which paled in comparison to the ache in his heart. He vividly recalled the moment his mother passed away, three years after Melvin's birth. Giving birth to Melvin had made her weak, and exhausted from fleeing her drunken husband. One day, she fell unconscious, and five-year-old Calvin had to call for help. Hours later, she passed away, leaving him with tears, sorrow, and unanswered questions. He sighed heavily, wiped his eyes, and approached the door. He knew what he had to do—another sacrifice for his stubborn sister.
Chancellor Bell was worried but not surprised to see him back at the door.
"I want to be on the team, sir," Kalvin said, the words Bell dreaded hearing. Bell stared at Kalvin, his heart breaking. Kalvin met Bell's gaze, filled with guilt and desperation. Eventually, Bell nodded, letting out a heavy breath as he allowed him to enter the room.
"I hope you understand what you've just chosen," Bell said, striving for calm despite his frustration.
"I know," Kalvin whispered softly, afraid to meet Bell's eyes. He didn't want to see disappointment and sorrow in his teacher's expression. After everything Bell had done for him, now he was choosing to risk his life over a dangerous spacecraft? After all the fatherly love and care, he was throwing it all away for a reckless sister who never valued her life.
"So we are ready for the expedition," Jessy Terko said with a smile, glancing at Elsa and Bell. She had never liked the two chancellors, so seeing them hurt gave her a sense of satisfaction.
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