Disclaimer: I do not own the show or the characters and no profit is made from this story.
A/N: This is set sometime after 'All about Eve' and assumes that Devon has recently been cured.
Voice of Morgan Martin
Everyday we follow the same routine, relentlessly marching towards our goal. Striving to make up lost time. The random mix of people are no longer separate entities, but a group, almost a family. If this planet has taught us anything it is how to rely on each other to overcome the frequent hazards. Each day we march we know we could meet some as yet unidentified danger. Yet, for now, all we can do is walk, knowing each step brings us closer to New Pacifica and our new home.
-00-
"Something to say?" Devon asked as John sped up to walk along side her.
"How about we stop for the day?" Danziger gently suggested.
"But we still have hours of light left."
"Which we can use to set up camp, find food, cook and rest." Knowing Devon would argue he continued. "Look, I know you are desperate to make up for the time we didn't travel when you were sick, but pushing the group too hard will only end up slowing us down in the long run."
"I guess you're right." Devon conceded.
"Yes I am." John smiled. "Besides, if you don't stop Julia's face will be etched with a constant frown." He added glancing back at the doctor who was carefully watching Devon's every move. "If you keep pushing yourself she's going to go crazy and we'll be a doctor down."
"But I'm fine now." Devon said with tones of frustration.
"I know, but for a while there it didn't look like it was going to be the case, so we're all acting a little careful. You should take it as a compliment."
"Maybe I should start going on long range scouts." Devon suggested.
"You could, but we both know Julia will insist on going with you."
"You're right, no scout missions."
"Cheer up." John said. "We'll all get sick of your nagging soon enough." With that he spun and faced the rest of the group calling. "We're setting up camp."
With the announcement made Julia headed straight to Devon who said.
"I'm fine. I didn't want to stop but Danziger insisted. No I don't have any symptoms, I do not have a headache, my muscles feel fine and I am not dizzy. Yes I have been drinking enough."
"That's good." Julia said. "But I was actually going to suggest going down there to look at those plants we passed. They could be a good source of food."
"Oh." Devon said slightly sheepishly. "That sounds great. Why don't you take Alonzo." She added hoping the pilot would be able to help Julia relax.
"Okay." Julia agreed before asking. "You sure you're not experiencing any strange symptoms."
"Yes I'm sure. Now go."
-00-
"So, I've been thinking." Alonzo started to say as they walked hand in hand back towards the plants.
"Don't strain yourself flyboy." Julia joked. But as she turned to look at Alonzo she saw his expression and commented. "You're serious."
"Even people who like to wing it can think occasionally." Alonzo grinned.
"So what have you been thinking about?"
"New Pacifica." The pilot said, noticing Julia tense slightly as he spoke.
"What about it?" Julia questioned, trying to hide her own insecurities.
"What happens when we arrive and after the colony ship lands." Alonzo said, starting to feel nervous. The tension in Julia not helping to calm him.
"And?"
"Well, I was thinking th-" Alonzo started only to be cut off by a roaring sound. Confused he turned and scanned the sky commenting. "That's a ship. It's landing. We need to get back to camp."
-00-
"Thank goodness you're back." Devon said as Alonzo and Julia ran into the camp.
"You seen something like that before?" Danziger asked handing Alonzo a pair of Jumpers.
"No. Must be military." The pilot said after a few moments looking before Julia took the Jumpers from him.
"That's a Council ship." Julia said, trying to remain calm.
"How did they find us?" Morgan demanded, his panic causing his voice to sound accusatory.
"They have a ship, they could have just flown round looking for us." Danziger pointed out trying to diffuse the tension. "Are you sure it's a Council ship?"
"I'm sure." Julia said as the ground started to rumble. Moments later several Terrians appeared in the camp, one close to Uly.
"Alonzo? What does it want?" Devon demanded, feeling stressed by both the ship and the Terrian being close to Uly.
"Give me a minute." Alonzo said, trying to remain focused on communicating with the Terrian. After what felt like, for everyone else, minutes the pilot finally said. "They say we are in danger. They say those birds have caused them harm before."
"That it?" Danziger asked, guessing the birds were the ship. "Cos I could have guessed the danger part."
"No. There's more, but I don't…." The pilot said sounding slightly frustrated. "Wait, I get it. They say that the boy must not be harmed."
"Uly?" Devon asked, feeling even more strained.
"They ask if you are prepared to keep him safe." Alonzo said looking at Devon.
"Of course I'll keep him safe." Devon said, slightly affronted.
Nodding Alonzo tried to convey the message back to the Terrian. Moments later the Terrian placed a hand on Uly's shoulder and the pair of them disappeared into the ground.
"Uly!" Devon cried before turning to Alonzo and asking. "What did you say to them? Where is he?"
"They say they will keep the boy safe and that the boy must not be harmed." The pilot said just as the other Terrians disappeared.
"Where is he?" Devon repeated. "Tell them to give him back."
"I'm sorry, but I can't reach them." Alonzo said looking devastated by his perceived failure.
"Do they mean him harm?" Yale asked.
"No. It felt like the complete opposite. They want to keep him safe." Alonzo explained.
"That's good." Danziger commented before looking at Devon. "The Terrians have always protected Uly, you have to assume he's safe. And I know you don't want to hear this but we have bigger problems."
"Bigger problems?" Devon asked in disbelief. "They just took my son."
"I know, but they did that to keep him safe and seeing how there is a fully armed squad heading our way he is probably the only one of us who is safe." Danziger reasoned.
-00-
True looked at the adults knowing she should be feeling scared by the oncoming soldiers, the fact Uly was gone and because the adults were upset. However, with so much going on she found she didn't have time to register fear. Instead she spent her time watching everything that was happening, including things that seemed odd. One of those things was Julia who, when she saw the soldiers coming, hurried towards the Med tent. With her curiosity piqued True followed Julia and saw the doctor rummaging through the Med tent, clearly looking for something.
True stood, unnoticed, to one side as Julia ripped opened boxes. Finally she saw Julia pull out a small vial. Moments later Julia pulled something from her gear and ran from the tent.
More curious than ever True followed Julia who was kneeling on the ground by one of the other tents. As True walked closer she saw that Julia was frantically clawing at the ground. A short time later Julia deposited the items she took from the Med tent into the ground and filled in the hole before hurrying off to join the others.
When Julia was out of sight True walked to the recently filled hole. Guessing that Julia had wanted to hide something True shook her head when she realised how obvious the hiding place was. Looking round to ensure she was alone the younger Danziger then pawed at the ground until she uncovered the two objects, which she carefully placed in her pocket.
-00-
"Julia you should go." Danziger said when he saw Julia rushing across camp.
"Go where?"
"Anywhere. They could be after you." John said before looking over at the pilot. "'Lonz take Julia, get as far away from here as possible."
"The group can't spare anyone." Julia countered. "We need everyone we can to defend the camp."
"Julia, you said they were Council." Devon said. "I have already lost my son today, I don't want to lose you too."
"If I am the target I can hand myself over, it will protect the rest of the group."
"No way." Alonzo said. "I won't let you sacrifice yourself."
"If they are after me I won't have a choice." Julia reasoned, surprised with how calm she sounded. "If I run it could place the rest of you in danger."
The debate was cut off by Zero announcing, "Warning. Projectile approaching from bearing 276. Warning."
"Take cover." Danziger bellowed moments before a shell landed just outside camp and exploded. As the dust flew a voice was heard over everyone's gear units.
"Eden Advance. I am Commander Sereto. I am here with full authority of the Council. We have you surrounded and are prepared to use deadly force. Surrender now and I will spare your lives. If you do not surrender, or if you show any signs of resisting I will order the destruction of the camp and everyone in it."
"We can't outgun them." Danziger said realising their options were next to none.
"No way we can fight them off." Walman agreed.
Looking round the camp Devon saw reluctant nods of agreement from everyone causing her to speak into her gear.
"We'll surrender."
"Good choice." The Commander replied. "Place all weapons by where the last shell hit. Then everyone is to return to the middle of the camp and lie face down on the ground with hands on head. Any resistance will be met with deadly force."