Flaming Arrow: Nova Babylon, #2

By Nathalia Books

After a year of fighting, there is still no peace. Robin those all what she can, but is still not recovered from her wounds. Will she bring back peace on the space station Nova Babylon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purpleheart Publishing
• Release date: Aug 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201850418

Nathalia Books

Nathalia Books is a real dreamer and turns these dreams into stories. Each with their own world and charm, she prefers to write all day long, and she loves to forget the world around her. Her worlds take you to deserted places and new unknown cities. She introduces you to new unknown races and beliefs.

Book preview

Trigger Warning

This story contains bullying and discrimination and sexual intimidation.

Rain of Arrows

The rain had been falling on the streets of the spaceship for days. Robin could tell that the street rats had done a great job in demolishing the weather machine. At first, she was very proud of them, because it wasn’t an easy task. But now she started to wish that they hadn’t done that. While walking, she pulled the hood further over her head. It pained her to see the state of the streets inside the once so serene space station, the civil war that had raged for a year had taken its toll. The streets were showing multiple cracks, the bright street lighting had been replaced by barrels. Where the flames fought bravely and hissing against the falling rain. But they didn’t give much light at all. Which was lucky for her, it was easier to slip past Jan's gray suits unnoticed when they couldn’t see her.

Miss, wait a minute. Someone behind her said. She froze for a moment, was she being too careless? Her hand was already reaching her crossbow She turned around and there stood a man she didn’t know. He was not wearing a gray suite, that was a plus. But he could be a spy, so she needed to be on guard. I'm sorry to bother you, miss. But do you have a little change? My children are starving, and I am at a loss. Robin breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the man's face. He was really desperate, and she wanted to help him. She wanted to help all the souls on this freaking spaceship. But she didn’t have any change left.

Unfortunately I don't have a penny in my pocket. I had already forgiven someone else. She said and saw the man's shoulders slump.

I was already afraid of that. Thanks for your time anyway. The man was about to run away. Probably to look for somebody who is willing to give him money.

Wait a minute, send your kids to the slum. There they will get something to eat. She said quickly. The man turned his head slightly and hope gleamed in his eyes.

I will do that, thank you, miss. He said. She sighed as he continued on, Robin bite her underlip. She encountered cases like this more and more, especially in the vicinity of the churches. Men and women begging in the street for small change so that they can feed their children. Jan had raised taxes so much that everyone was having a hard time keeping their heads above water. The slum had grown in the past year. Some tents are shared by several families, or parents slept outside on the street while an entire group of children slept under the cloth ceiling. Robin also slept outside, at least when it wasn't raining. She and Tini had given up their tent to Johanna and Karl. To give them a little more privacy. She turned the corner to the church that she knew all too well. It was the church that Tini's father was in charge of. She walked quickly and slipped inside.

Robin! Father Goberd walked up to her. What in heaven’s name are you doing here? He asked. Robin rolled her eyes and sighed.

It's also nice to see you again, Father Goberd. Your daughter is doing well. Thank you for asking. The Father Goberd sighed, and lowered his head. Of course, he was worried about Tini, she was his flesh and blood. Only he had a funny way of showing it. Tini, like Robin, was born on earth. And just like Robin’s father, Father Goberd had found a job here, so he moved himself and his daughter to Nova Babylon. Only there he found out that his daughter was not allowed inside the Father Goberd s home. So he brought her to the Locksley house for young girls. There Robin and Tini shared a room before the war started.

Thanks for reporting, but can you get out of here now. Jan and his gray suites are on their way to this church with Mardion. Father Goberd said. She rolled with her eyes.

That's why I'm here, and not your daughter, or Johanna. Robin said, a little annoyed. Father Goberd raised his hand up in defeat. He knew her well and long enough to know that this was a fight he couldn’t win.

I've heard enough. If you don't leave, hide yourself. He said. Robin took off her cloak and from beneath came a habit. Father Goberd shook his head and sighed. Is there nothing sacred to the Fallen Angels? Robin put on the headdress that covered the nuns' hair with a smile.

On the contrary, Father Goberd. But desperate times call for desperate needs. And so no one will notice that it is me. Not even Jan Nomina. Father Goberd walked away from her, and she put her cloak away in the bench of the confessional. One of the nuns walked up to her, the woman nodded at her and just kept walking. The doors of the church flew open and a multitude of gray suites entered. Cadfed Evenira led the way, Jan had appointed him as his second in command after the Fallen Angels had escaped the Nova Headquarters. Something that didn't surprise Robin at all, he was responsible for closing Springfield School and initiating military duty. Which meant most of the gray suites were simply plucked off the streets. Cadfed looked around the church, she was not looking straight at him. Instead, she walked to the altar where the other sisters were already waiting for the ceremony.

It's clear, Commander Nomina! Cadfed yelled, his voice echoed against the walls. Jan walked into the church, his bright green eyes also shot over the surroundings.

What a creep. The sister next to Robin whispered in her ear, the sister didn’t know the half of it.

Sister, you are right about that. Robin whispered back at the sister. Jan looked at them for a short moment, Robin quickly lowered her eyes. She needed to be careful around him. It was because of him that her little brother and her parents were dead. And it was because of him that Nova Babylon was at war with its own citizens.

Prince Mardion, come in and do what is expected of you. Jan said, in a low growl. Robin's heart began to beat faster as Mardion entered. Her eyes followed his every move, and it pained her that she couldn’t run to him.

Sister, Father Goberd asks you to come and stand next to him while you are holding the tray. Robin looked to the side, it was Mother Superior Glynnis Cogan.

It would be my honor, Mother Superior. Robin replied and, walked to the altar where she  picked up the tray. From the corner of her eye, she saw Mardion kneeling before Father Goberd. Father Goberd began the prayer as Robin walked over to him.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Father Goberd took the bread from the tray and put it in Mardion's mouth while the man murmured the sacred words. Then Father Goberd took the iron cup with wine on a leash, normal wine was too expensive, and let Mardion drink. When Father Goberd put the cup back, Robin moved her eyes to the rim. Father Goberd  hissed briefly before setting the cup down so that the cup fell off the tray. Robin ducked for the cup to pick it up. She quickly looked into Mardion's eyes, he looked surprised when he recognized her. His lips formed her name, luckily he didn't say it out loud. Robin’s hand clung around the cup, she needed every ounce of control not to fall in his arms. Again the door flew open, and a gray suite ran into the church.

The church is under attack by a hungry mob! He yelled. She heard Jan and Cadfed cursing, well they were not the ones praying.

You see, I told you it was a trap, Commander Nomina. Cadfed said. Jan growled, Mardion looked at her, and she shook her head. She had nothing to do with it, but it didn’t surprise her.

I know that, Sheriff Evenira. But what else were we supposed to do, the Church of the Virgin has been completely looted and was set on fire. Jan snapped at his second in command.  Cadfed took a few steps toward Mardion.

Priest, is there a room that you can shut off from outside? Father Goberd nodded, and quickly looked at Mardion and then back to Cadfed.

We have, sherrif. The wine cellar. I will show you the way. Father Goberd said, Cadfed then pointed to Robin.

She, she's coming with us. Cadfed said. Father Goberd looked shocked by this request, but Robin wasn’t surprised by it. He is simply taking an extra hostage so that Mardion wouldn’t run away.

Why, why.... this sister? Father Goberd started to hackle. A wide smile appeared on Cadfed's face.

Let's just say if the little prince tries to run here, I'll have someone to shoot. Cadfed said it with a big smile. Father Goberd wanted to argue against it. But maybe this was her chance to be alone with Mardion, all is it for a short time.

It is alright, Father. I'm going with you, sheriff, I know the way to the wine cellar. She had distorted her voice so that it was lighter. Father Goberd frowned for a short moment, probably wondering why she knew the way. Well that was a secret.

ROBIN WAS LEADING THE way towards the cellar. The sounds of the fighting were slipping through the thick stone walls. She looked quickly over her shoulder, just in time to see Cadfed push Mardion.

Walk, little prince. I have to put an end to that mob outside. He snapped at him, Mardion had trouble keeping his balance. Robin wanted to help him, but that would probably blow her cover.   Here it is. She said, stepping aside. Cadfed reached for the door opened it and pushed Mardion in. Then he looked at her, motion to get inside as well.

Now you. He snarled. She nodded and walked in without squeaking, Cadfed closing the door. The keys jingled loudly when he turned the lock. Robin looked at Mardion how looked at her if she was a complete stranger.

Robin, what are you doing here? Mardion asked, while he walked over to her and took her hand. She gave him a soft smile.

Someone has to watch out for you, I've been doing that for a year, by the way. She said. He nodded briefly. Of course, he had noticed, her. They had trained together, after the first attack on Nova Babylon. But back then they thought that they were attacked by the Catians. Which was an alien race from the nearby planet Catia.

I know you have. I have seen you, in the Church of the Virgin and all that. But Robin what if they find out who you are? Worry about her wellbeing filled his voice. She simply shrugged her shoulders, as if it was not a big deal. Which it was.

Then I have to run for my life. Robin said. She knew the risk, and she was willing to take it for him. Mardion shook his head with a sigh.

Do you have anything to do with that crowd outside the church, by the way? He asked, Robin shook her head.

No, who do you think I am. I am not endangering innocents. She snapped at him. How could he ask her such a thing? Mardion pulled her closer, and touched her cheek with his right hand. His way of saying sorry.