The Evil That Came

Part 12: Pressure

Victoria was surprised, to say the least when Greg O'Dunn barged into her home. Interestingly enough, she did not feel frightened. Her trust in Greg far outweighed her startled feelings.

"Greg, what are you doing here?" Victoria asked.

"I'm here to take you away," Greg replied. "You don't have to come with me, but you asked me weeks ago to take you away. Now is your opportunity. Your mom is at work, your brother is off somewhere else, and your father—you know where your father is."

Victoria hesitated, "Where are you taking me, and why?"

Greg blinked. He hadn't thought about what to say, so he told her the blunt truth: "Your mom and dad are not your parents. Viktor is your cousin, and you will eventually need to leave Earth. Due to the powers you will soon possess, you will be stronger than the rest of the R.O.B.Os and humans. According to your mother, you must lead your people away from Earth and to a land of their own. "

"Honestly, Greg, that seems a little far-fetched," Victoria responded. "Viktor is the only brother I have known; my parents have cared for me all my life. I would know if Viktor wasn't my brother."

Greg's voice carried a weight of concern as he leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Victoria's. "Have you ever delved into a treasure trove of baby pictures? Have you felt the warmth of unwavering parental love? They are not your parents. Your so-called brother is hostile towards you, isn't he? He asked, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "He exudes hatred as if it were woven into his very being. His father was an evil man. He killed his sister, your mother! Viktor; he was born to despise you." His words hung between them.

The weight of his revelation was heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the room. Victoria felt a knot tighten in her stomach, the realization sinking like a stone. It was a truth she had long suspected but had hesitated to acknowledge. The animosity between her and her supposed brother ran deep, a rift from years of resentment and misunderstanding.

"Victoria," he continued, his tone tinged with urgency, "I need you to be brutally honest with yourself. This may sting, but I care for you deeply, as if you were my flesh and blood." His gaze softened momentarily. "In a different reality, I would have embraced the role your mother intended for me, guiding you through life's trials, and for that, I'm sorry ."

But then his voice dropped to a hushed whisper, laden with foreboding. "There's more, Victoria. General Alden, a man with a lot of power and influence, is the right hand to the President. And he's set his sights on you, on your power."

Greg's words were pregnant with implications: "He's not to be trusted, Victoria. I've seen the darkness lurking within him; I sifted through his classified reports." His jaw tightened with determination. "He's concocting schemes and plans that involve you as a pawn in his twisted game of power and control. I promise you, nothing good will come from aligning yourself with him."

Greg's revelation lingered, a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows. Victoria's world seemed to tilt on its axis, the gravity of Greg's words sinking in more and more like lead weights. In that moment, she realized that her life was no longer her own, that she stood at the precipice of a choice that could alter the course of history. She had always felt different, but this revelation was beyond anything she'd imagined.

"Me? He wants to experiment on me so he can obtain my power?" Victoria's voice trembled. "This is insane."

Greg's eyes held a mixture of urgency and fear. "I know," he whispered. "But it's true. General Alden is ruthless and driven by ambition. He'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals."

Victoria's mind raced. The weight of her abilities—the power simmering within her—threatened to consume her. She had a choice: to remain hidden, to cling to her old life, or to embrace her destiny.

"I know," Greg repeated, his hand outstretched. "It's now or never."

Greg stood proudly beside his colossal spacecraft, his eyes gleaming with determination and excitement. The private launchpad, hidden from the world, was a testament to his foresight and strategic planning.

"I've invested my money wisely," Greg remarked, his voice tinged with pride. "I knew this day would come, and besides, who can resist the allure of space?" He grinned, the thrill of adventure coursing through his veins.

But his expression quickly sobered as he turned to Victoria and Matilda, his tone serious. "But let's not forget the gravity of our situation," he continued, his voice low and urgent. "We're making a tactical retreat for our safety. General Alden and his soldiers will stop at nothing to capture us."

He glanced around, ensuring they were alone, before leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "They might even resort to time travel to hunt us down," he murmured, his words laden with dread. "That's why we're here, on this secluded launchpad. It's our only sanctuary, our last defense against their relentless pursuit."

Victoria and Matilda nodded solemnly, their eyes reflecting the gravity of their predicament. They understood the stakes, the complex journey that lay ahead.

As they stood in the shadow of Greg's mighty spacecraft, he gestured towards its gleaming hull, a marvel of engineering and innovation. "This isn't just a ship," he explained, his voice filled with reverence. "It's our ticket to freedom, our means of escaping the clutches of those who seek to control us."

He led them up the ramp, the hum of machinery filling the air as they stepped into the vessel's heart. Inside, the spacecraft was a labyrinth of corridors and chambers, each pulsating with the energy of anticipation.

"This ship is equipped with state-of-the-art technology," Greg announced, his voice echoing through the chamber. "It's our fortress in the stars, our home away from home." He guided them through the ship, pointing out the various compartments and control panels, each a testament to his meticulous planning.

But even as they marveled at the ship's capabilities, unease lingered in the air. The knowledge that their journey would be fraught with danger weighed heavily on their minds, a constant reminder of the perils that awaited them beyond the safety of Earth's embrace.

Nevertheless, as they stood on the threshold of their adventure, Victoria, Matilda, and Greg knew they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. 

With a determined hand, Greg pulled the lever upward, initiating the spacecraft's ascent into the boundless expanse of space. The engines roared to life, propelling them upward with exhilarating force. Within moments, they breached Earth's orbit, leaving behind their home planet's familiar sights and sounds.

As they soared through the cosmos, Greg's gaze shifted towards the distant silhouette of the space station. He pressed forward, pushing the spacecraft into overdrive.

The ship responded with a burst of energy, hurtling forward at an unprecedented speed. They traversed the void at an unimaginable pace, the stars streaking past in a blur of light and color. In mere moments, they surpassed the speed of light itself.

Victoria and Matilda held tight inside the ship, their hearts racing with excitement and trepidation. The sheer velocity of their journey was both exhilarating and terrifying.