The Rescue
Episode 13
Robin stood outside the van admiring the sun setting behind the distant red cliffs. When the sun was gone she turned to see Ham setting on some rocks under a street lamp near by looking at a road map.
"Something on your mind?" Ham asked without looking up from his map.
"I was just wondering, why we're going thru Wyoming when it would be much quicker to go thru Colorado?"
"Chris has a friend in Wyoming."
"Oh, is he getting you some guns or something?"
"Not a he…and not that sort of friend," Ham answered as he folded up his map. "Chris is ready. Lets go."
"You get everything you need kid? I filled those gas cans back there so we wont be stopping at another station until we get to Wyoming," Chris said.
"I got everything, Thanks."
Robin wasn't sure when she fell asleep or how long she had been out but when she woke up there was light shinning on her face thru the van window and Ham was now driving while Chris slept in the passenger seat.
"When did I fall asleep?"
"About seven hours ago. Sleep well?"
"Pretty good. It's funny before the war started I couldn't even sleep on a couch now I can sleep anywhere I lay my head."
"We learn to adapt, it's how we survive."
"Any chance we could pull over some where? Nature's calling."
"Look's like a good place just up the road there," Ham said pointing out a road side stop.
After answering the call of nature Robin wondered back toward the rusty red van and noticed Chris and Ham sharing a laugh. As she continued she thought about her daughter and how much she missed her. She had just left yesterday but still she couldn't help wondering what Elizabeth was doing right now or if she would ever see her again. She climbed into the van and wondered if this whole trip was a mistake, maybe it wasn't to late to return to L.A. to her daughter.
"Hey thought you might be hungry," Chris said bringing Robin out of her thoughts. "We got a pretty good selection if I do say so myself. Granola, canned fruit, juice in the cooler or if your not a health nut we got candy bars and soda. Pick your poison kid."
"No thanks. I'm not really hungry."
"Thinking about Elizabeth."
"Am I abandoning her Chris? Maybe I shouldn't have left. What if I never see her again?"
"It's up to you. When we leave Wyoming we can go to Chicago or back L.A."
"It's been so long since I've seen my sisters. I really miss them…I wont have to worry about Diana trying to use me to create another Elizabeth. I guess I just wish she would have came with me."
"She has to do what's best for her just like you have to do what's best for you. Like Julie said you can return when ever you feel ready. There's Ham, lets get going I want to be in Wyoming before noon."
"We're building control every second over the city. The only real opposition has come from a few isolated pockets of Resistance. Never the less with in a mater of hours all of
Los Angeles will be under our control," LT. James informed Diana.
"Have you searched in the vicinity of what used to be the Club Creole?"
"Club Creole, Humans destroyed that didn't they?"
"Yes but they're so inefficient."
"Consider it done. There's one thing that troubles me though."
"What's that?"
"I'm told that Charles had no knowledge of the attack until after we had already begun."
"Sometimes in order to get things done one must merely take the initiative. Had I gone thru channels and waited for Charles the attack might have failed. I've been looking for someone I could trust to over see Los Angeles for me."
"My orders are to report all progress to Charles."
"Yes of course. But Charles has bigger things on his mind then Los Angeles. He could never reward you the way I could," Diana said very seductively.
"I exist to serve in any way that you see fit," LT. James said, ready to please Diana and himself.
"All things in good time LT."
Mike, Julie and Elizabeth salvaged as many weapons, medical supplies and basic living supplies as they could and discussed recent events while carrying it to the van parked outside their former headquarters under the now destroyed Club Creole.
"With the amount of hold the visitors have everyone is afraid to stand up to them," Elizabeth said.
"Yep, everyone but us," Julie agreed.
"By the time they're finished they'll only be two types of people left around here. Resisters and collaborators," Mike said. "Any word from the other Resistance groups?" Mike asked.
"They've been hit hard Mike. They're regrouping," Julie said.
"I don't know right now one place is as good as another, they're trying to soften us up and move us out into the open," Mike said
"Julie! We caught this guy outside," Kyle yelled as he entered the alley.
"He claims to be a friend of yours," Elias said.
"Allan!" Julie gasped.
"Julie!" Allen said.
"Allan!" Julie said again as she ran into his arms.
"You know this guy," Mike said with a hint of jealousy.
"Yes, I went to school with his brother. What are you doing here?" Julie asked.
"Look I need help. My wife's having a baby and with the visitors attacking all the hospitals are taken over," Allen said franticly.
"Where is she?" Julie asked.
"She's in a bombed out store at 4th and Highland. I left my son with her," Allen answered.
"Listen get your wife here we'll do what we can to help her," Mike said.
"She's already in labor. There's no way she can possibly make it here. Look just tell me what I need to know in order to deliver the baby myself," Allen told Julie.
"I'm going with you," Julie said. "He needs me," Julie said to Mike.
"Wait a minute everything's up for grabs out there. We've lost to many people already to take another chance right now," Mike pleaded.
"No way, I'm going with him," Julie insisted.
"Mike I'll go with him," Kyle said.
"Alright, take this and take the van." Mike told Kyle handing him a gun. "You might as well be of some help, take this," Mike said handing Allen a gun.
"Thanks."
"Let's go," Julie said. "We'll be o.k. Mike," Julie continued. Then Mike lifted her chin and gave her a light kiss on the lips.
"You better be," Mike told her then watched the three leave.
"No!" The pregnant woman yelled when a braking board woke startled her from her slumber.
"It's o.k. mom. I did it," The boy tried to reassure her.
"Honey you mustn't scare me like that. Don't you know your all I've got?"
"Don't worry mom I'll protect you, see," He said holding up the broken door plank.
"Yes but I don't want you playing with something so sharp,"
"No, It's a spear. Can't you see, any lizard tries to hurt you I'll take care of him," The boy said proudly standing in front of her like soldier.
"Well that's fine honey. Just don't hurt yourself," She said realizing how much the boy wanted to be the man while his father was away.
"O.k. You sleep, I'll stand guard until dad gets back,"
"O.K,"
Chris drove the van down the dirt road like they where being chased by the entire visitor fleet. Leaving a long trail of dust in his wake while both Ham and Robin held tightly to what ever they could.
"I hate to sound like a ten year old but are we there yet?" Robin asked between potholes.
"Just up the road," Ham said and the van started to slow down and turned onto a dirt path.
"We're here," Chris announced and the van came to a sudden halt and Chris jumped out.
"You still in one piece back there?" Ham asked.
"I think so," Robin said then opened the door and stepped out of the van. The older white house was nice, nothing fancy but a nice fixer upper that someone had obviously put a lot of work into. She watched Chris go up the steps leading to the front porch of the small house and the screen door swing open. Robin couldn't see much of the women. Just her arms rap around Chris's neck as he embraced her and lifted her into a kiss. After a couple moments Chris lowered the women back to her feet and they turned to face the van.
"Come on in. I got a hot meal on the table for ya. It's take out but it's hot," The women said.
"Maggie!" Robin yelled and ran up to hug her.
"How you doing kid? These two war horses treat you alright?"
"Sure, they've been great."
"Good to hear. I hope you like chicken. I would have fixed something myself but everything is packed up," Maggie said as she opened the screen door and invited her in.
"Packed up. Are you leaving?" Robin asked.
"I'm coming with you to Chicago and when these two go back to L.A. I'm going with them."
"Hope you don't plan on filling the van with boxes. We're traveling light," Ham said as he walked past them into the kitchen.
"What about this place? It looks great," Robin said looking around the living room, now bare except for an old worn brown recliner, over sized sofa and television.
"Thanks. We put a lot of work into it. But we all have to make sacrifices."
"A message from Lt. James. He claims the battle for Las Angeles is well in hand. He expects to have the entire city under control by night fall," The visitor trooper said.
"I still don't understand who gave the order," Lydia said.
"I did," Diana said as she entered the room.
"Why wasn't I told?"
"I didn't have the time."
"You will ounce I'm finished telling Charles."
"Don't be so sure, even Charles should be able to appreciate victory."
"Victory or insubordination."
"You herd Lt. James report. The entire city will soon be ours."
"Including the resistance?"
"I've filed a complete progress report and sent a copy to the leader."
"You do think of everything, I hope for your sake the celebration isn't a bit premature"
"I don't think so. That's the difference between us Lydia dear I take charge of the situation and you wait for permission."
"We shall see. Now why don't you take charge of the bridge while I go and talk to Charles."
"Charles I've just left Diana…" Lydia started when she walked into Charles's personnel quarters.
"Diana ordered the take over of Los Angeles," Charles interrupted.
"How do you know?"
"I intercepted the message she sent to the leader," Charles said. "Your dismissed," Charles told the troopers.
"The entire attack on the city is clearly a flagrant disregard of your command."
"Unfortunately her success makes her difficult to court-martial."
"I don't see why."
"It's simple politics. I have a plan."
"And what is that?"
"I'm going to marry Diana."
"You what," Lydia said shocked.
"As a member of the House of Reaman I can take any woman I choose as my wife, by law she can not refuse."
"I know the law," Lydia said angrily.
"Then you also know that once married the only way she can serve the cause is by bearing offspring. That is a task better performed at home not on the front line."
"It just seems like more politics to me."
"Well as they say here. Politics make strange bed fellows."
"Why don't you just let me shoot her and be done with it?"
"Cause then I'd have to send you back."
"Are you sure it'll work?"
"I'll put her on the first available shuttle myself."
"And what if she refuses?"
"She can't. By law the ceremony must take place with in twelve hours of betrothal. She'll be married with lizard and on her way home before she knows what hit her."
"Is that why you've installed the best bed in the fleet?"
"Lydia, surely your not jealous are you,."
"Head's up. There's a visitor patrol coming down the street. It looks like they mean business," Mike shouted when he ran down the old HQ hallway."
"A lot?" Elias asked.
"A hole platoon. Armed to the teeth," Mike said.
"We should go I can feel it," Elizabeth told them.
"What if Julie comes back here? We can't abandon her," Mike said.
"They're getting closer Mike," Elizabeth said listening to the gun fire get closer.
"Well if we move now we'll draw their fire. We better set tight and ride out the storm," Mike said.
"Sounds like our best bet," Elias said.
"Hey listen," Mike said when it suddenly got quiet.
"It just got to quiet to fast," Elias said then suddenly blasts shot open the once hidden door from the Club Creole and visitor troopers rushed in shooting.
"Move it, move it. If we get separated meet me back at the new HQ," Mike yelled and Elias grabbed Elizabeth by the arm and started to run for the other door when Elizabeth stopped.
"Don't let em escape, not one," Lt. James ordered his troops.
"Elizabeth…come on… Elizabeth get going," Mike yelled to Elizabeth who stared intently on the sealing before it finally collapsed allowing them to escape from LT. James and his troopers.
"I came as soon as I got your message. I see that your furniture arrived. I take it you heard about Lt. James success in locating the Resistance headquarters. Unfortunately the Resistance leaders have alluded him but there's a limit to how long they can stay at large with the entire city under our control. Was there something else?" Diana said.
"Section 48 of the code," Charles said.
"Section 48 deals with marriage. Don't tell me you and Lydia. Someone else."
"You."
"You must be joking," Diana said with both shock and anger in her voice.
"All is in preparation."
"No! I don't have to."
"I am in the direct line of decent of Reman. The choice is mine, I choose you."
"I'd rather die first."
"That can be arranged….I'm sure you'll change your mind."
"Mom, when you had me was it like this? Did I hurt you this much?" The boy asked watching as his mother had a contraction.
"Sweaty, you didn't hurt me. This is just the way babies come in…Just the way babies come in to the world honey," Joanne assured him.
"How you doing? How's your mom?" Allen asked as he rushed in with Julie and Kyle close behind.
"She's O.K,"
"Joanne are you o.k.?"
"She's right in the middle of a contraction," Julie told him.
"There happening about every twenty minutes," Joanne said.
"I'll go stand guard. Come on kid give me a hand," Kyle said.
"Doesn't mean she's going to have it right now. It could take as long as 48 hrs," Julie said.
"Yah but it could be happening any minute," Allen said.
"I don't think so but we brought a van. I'd like to do a preliminary exam. If your up to it I'd like to take you with us," Julie said.
"No, no, no I don't think we she should be moved. What if we get stopped, what if we get pinned down?" Allen said.
"Well right here we're in the middle of fighting. If something should happen, I'm not saying it will, but at least back there I've got equipment to handle an emergency," Julie said.
"Alright honey, it up to you. Do you think you can move? What do you want to do?" Allen asked his wife.
"All I want is to have my baby. You're a doctor?" Joanne asked.
"Yes," Julie answered.
"Listen to her," Joanne said.
After lunch Ham and Chris went outside to check the van. Leaving Maggie and Robin to pack up the few remaining items in the house.
"What are you going to do with what doesn't fit in the van?"
"Leave it. Maybe someday I'll come back here and start over again. I'm only going to take what I think will be useful to the Resistance though."
"They could use all the supplies they can get. We were getting short before we had to relocate. What about these books stay or go?" Robin said taking a couple of books off the shelf in the dinning room.
"Go, those are my psychology books. I want to continue to study when ever I can."
"I hope you can get these past Ham."
"I have Chris on my side. Don't worry Ham won't be a problem," Maggie said and the two shared a laugh. "Here's a set of keys. This ones to the front door, this one's for the back and this one is to the car in the barn. It's not much to look at but it's reliable, Chris made sure of that before he left. Feel free to use these any time you want," Maggie said.
"Are you sure Maggie. I mean I don't want to take advantage of you."
"Your not taking advantage of me. I'm offering it to you while I'm away. And if I don't come back then I want you and your sisters to have it. I'd feel better knowing this place is being used. Chris and I put a lot of work into this place."
"Thank you Maggie. I really appreciate it. Maybe my sisters will want to come here for a week or so when schools out. It might help us get to know each other again. Maybe Elizabeth will visit. It would do her some good to get away from the war for awhile."
"Hey, that's not a bad idea."
"What?"
"This would be a great place for Resistance fighters to get away from the war. Of course it's still yours anytime you want it but it would be great for others to."
"Of course. My sisters and I can come from time to time to make sure it's in good condition whenever someone wants to use it."
"Hey what's all the excitement in here?" Chris asked from the doorway.
"We just made this into a Resistance resort. No Spa's, no swimming pools, no room service and no visitors," Maggie announced.
"I like the sound of that. Can I book a room now?" Chris joked.
"You already have a room," Maggie said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.
Willie walked slowly thru the wooded area near a tunnel entrance. He hadn't walked far but needed to get some fresh air and Howie felt the exercise would do him good. Mike also made his way thru the wooded area near by when he stepped on a stick causing it to snap. Willie heard the snap and knowing that Howie and Loraine had stayed back at the tunnel entrance in the other direction he pulled out his gun.
"Who grows there?"
"Willie, it's me," Mike said from behind a tree and Willie smiled in relief.
"Who's me?" Willie said when he realized he still didn't know who was there.
"Mike."
"Mike."
"Are you the only one here?"
"Oh no no, the others are over there. I am the out look."
"I think you mean the look out."
"Look out, yes."
"Well, good work," Mike said. "Lets go check in."
"Oh yes. Check in," Willie said and the two walked toward the tunnel.
"Mike, welcome back," Loraine said.
"Thanks, has anyone else returned yet?"
"No, what happened," Loraine asked.
"We were attacked by visitors. We separated while I tried to shake the visitors. Elias and Elizabeth went another direction in van."
"What about Julie and Kyle?" Willie asked.
"An old friend of Julie's needed her help. Kyle went to keep them safe. If they try to return to the old headquarters they'll walk right into a trap."
"Well how can we find them? Loraine asked.
"That's the tough part. In all the confusion I can remember the general location but not the exact location,"
"Well the general location is a good start. Howie make sure Willie gets back to the tunnel safely and let the others know what's going on. We need to go find Julie and Kyle," Loraine said.
"What about Elizabeth and Elias? I should help find them," Willie said.
"No Willie. Your not well enough yet. Besides Elizabeth is with Elias, he'll get her back safe," Mike said as he guided Willie back toward the tunnel. "Let's go," Mike told Loraine once Willie and Howie were on there way back thru the tunnel.
"What is the general location Mike?"
"A store around Highland. That's about five miles from here."
"We better get a vehicle."
"Lets cut thru those trees up ahead. The street we'll come out on was hit pretty hard. We may find an abandoned vehicle there."
"There's a car lot near there. If there's anything left we might find one there."
"You really know L.A. don't you."
"A good officer knows her surroundings."
Diana set in her quarters typing when the door chimed announcing someone's arrival.
"Yes, what is it?" Diana asked the two visitors.
"Charles asked me to shave your body in preparation," The first visitor said.
"And he sent me to fit you for your wedding skin commander," The second visitor said.
"I'm afraid that wont be necessary. There's been a change of plans. There wont be any wedding. Now get out of my sight," Diana yelled.
"Don't take it out on them Diana. They're merely following Charles's orders. I suggest you do the same," Lydia said as she entered the room.
"When I want your suggestion Lydia, I'll put a box outside the door," Diana said.
"I'm going to miss you Diana, your really very complex. I can understand why Charles is so passionate about making you his bride," Lydia said.
"I hate to disappoint you but there wont be any wedding. I'm sure the leader will be less then pleased when he learns of Charles's intentions," Diana said.
"On the contrary, the leader has already sent his blessing. Unfortunately he wont be able to attend the ceremony," Lydia said with a smirk. "You'll look lovely in scales," Lydia said viciously.
"Your very quiet Willie. How do you feel?" Howie asked.
"Useless. I should be finding Elias and Elizabeth. Instead I can do nothing."
"You must do a lot. The Resistance took a lot of risks to rescue you."
"Yes, they are good people. I owe them a great deal. They gave me a job, a home and their friendship. I hope someday to help them as they have helped me."
"Hey guys, where's Loraine?" Martin asked when he saw the two climbing the steps to the platform in the subway station.
"She went to help Mike find Julie and Kyle," Willie answered.
"What going on?"
"Julie went to help an old friend get, no deliver a baby. Then the visitors attacked the old hide out. They were all split out."
"Split up. We'll set tight here if they're not back before dark I'll go search for them."
"I'll go with you," Willie said.
"No thanks, Willie. I'll move faster on my own. Right now you'll only slow me down. You better get back Howie before someone gets suspicious," Howie noticed the hurt look on Willie's face but knew Martin was right. Willie was in no condition to go on a hunting party.
"They're still there."
"I know, just hold on Elizabeth. Hey, you think you can do anything. You know, like that stuff you did back there at the Creole."
"The shuttle is to far away and bigger then anything else I've attempted, sorry."
"Don't sweat it. I think I may have another idea," Elias said when he saw an underpass up ahead. Half way thru the tunnel Elias stopped the loaded van and stepped out.
"What are we going to do?"
"I have a van full of weapons. We're going to wait it out until they come in after us."
"What if they don't come in after us?"
"Then I'll come up with another plan."
"Your shuttle is ready commander," The trooper said.
"Thank you Lewis I appreciate your loyalty. I want you to have this. I know you disserve more but at the moment it's all I can offer you," Diana said.
"Commander please, It's reward enough to serve you. Especially now that your enemies have you at a disadvantage. Now please, you must go at once."
"Thank you," Diana said then grabbed her bag and walked out the door and to the shuttle bay.
"Getting cold feet," Charles said stopping Diana in her tracks.
"I was just checking out the landing bay."
"Oh, I see. Of course you know if a bride is caught attempting to abandon her groom such an offence is punishable by death."
"Now Charles, I would never desert you."
"Good, I don't handle rejection well. Take her away Lewis."
"So much for loyalty," Diana said as the trooper took her by the arm and led her away.
"How's she doing," Allen asked.
"She's only two centimeters afface and her contractions are about ten minutes apart so we got a little time to go yet," Julie said.
"Honey everything's going to be alright," Joanna said.
"You think maybe we should try getting out of here," Allen asked.
"Yes, I'll have Kyle move the van around so you don't have far to walk," Julie told them and went to talk to Kyle. "Get the van and back it up, it's time to go," Julie said.
"Bad timing. Visitor patrol just came around the corner," Kyle said watching LT. James and a visitor troop making their way thru the ravaged street.
"Great," Julie said.
"What do you think," Kyle asked.
"Just let them pass. When they go by we'll leave," Julie said.
"Sergeant, that van there. Check it out. I don't want to leave any vehicles in this sector that might be commandeered by the Resistance," LT. James ordered.
"Yes sir," The trooper said then walked to the van. As he came around the side of the van the boy got up from his chair and stepped in front of the door. "Don't move," The trooper yelled and Kyle grabbed the boy and pulled him to safety just before the trooper opened fire in the boys direction. When the trooper stopped shooting Kyle jumped out and shot the trooper then quickly ducked back behind the wall and the remaining troopers returned fire.
"Alright hold your fire. I want these rebels taken in alive for questioning. If we can make them talk we can soon take down the entire movement," LT. James ordered his troopers
"What's going on," Allen asked Julie.
"Visitor leader saw the van came in for a closer look. One of them saw your son. Kyle had to shoot him," Julie explained.
"Alright what are we going to do," Allen asked.
"We're going to fight with everything we've got," Julie answered.
"On earth they say it is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding and yet some how I feel most fortunate," Charles said approaching the stone hot tub Diana was soaking in.
"It's nothing compared to what I'll give you once we're married," Diana told him with her trademark sly smile.
"Of that I have no doubt," Charles said then left Diana to her bath.
"Where are those ceremonial eels. Finally what took you so long."
"You look lovely Diana. The ritual bath suits you well. Charles is a lucky man. You are by far the most beautiful woman in the fleet Diana."
"I know but it's a curse sometimes."
"EE Rock oor nor lav. May there venom give you strength and there bodies make you fertile." The ceremonial helper said before pouring the bowl containing the eel into the bath bringing Diana more pleasure.
"Charles, I couldn't wait for you in my quarters any longer," Lydia said rushing into Charles's arms then pulling him into a long awaited kiss.
"I've been thinking about Diana"
"You've decided on assassination?"
"You know you really must learn to control your passions. I'm told they can be very dangerous."
"Then your still going to marry her."
"Of course."
"As long as you send her back."
"Actually I've decided to keep her for awhile."
"What!"
"I may have a use for her."
You went to her ritual bath."
"Um, She's more promising then I'd expected."
"You can't do this."
"Don't be silly of course I can and I will," Charles informed Lydia then opened the door cuing her to leave. Lydia marched like a woman with a mission thru the hall of the mother ship until she came to the ships potion shop.
"Marta."
"Lydia, Lydia your to early Tell Charles that I'm still preparing the marriage potion. It's not good to rush these things."
"Charles didn't send me and I couldn't care less."
"Oh, it must be difficult for you…"
"Did you hear what I said."
"Lydia the entire fleet knows how you feel about Charles, there's certainly no shame in loosing to Diana, but you must be very jealous."
"Jealous. Marta do you enjoy working on the mother ship."
"The fleet is my life."
"Then keep your opinions to your self or Diana wont be the only one shipped back. Now, I'd like a bottle of cat poison."
"Isn't it terrible how they multiply. Do you know that there wont be a rat left on this ship if something isn't done about those awful cats soon."
"What's this?"
"Essence of rodent musk."
"I don't need perfume."
"Lydia, it is guaranteed to drive men crazy."
"You go to far." Lydia threatened and turn ed leave but a sudden idea made her change her mind and take the perfume Marta offered.
"We should be looking for them. They've been gone far to long," Willie said while pacing on the station platform.
"It's not dark yet Willie. Elias probably took the long way back to make sure they're not followed.," Martin tried to reassure him while tossing a pile of old linoleum into a waist bin.
"Diana would love to get hold of Elizabeth. I promised Robin I would protect Elizabeth."
"I understand your concern. I know waiting around isn't easy. I did a lot of that while I was recovering," Martin said as he took a seat on one of the dried paint splattered plastic seats lined up along the graffiti covered wall.
"You were very sick," Willie asked, taking the seat next to Martin.
"After surviving the shooting infection set in. Anyway, while the war was going on out side all I could do was lay around feeling useless."
"Yes, I know the feeling."
"Your not useless Willie, I didn't mean to make you feel that way earlier when I said I'd move faster without you."
"I know you did not. I sometimes feel I get in the way. I am not the warrior everyone else is."
"You don't have to be a warrior to be useful Willie. We weren't all meant to be warriors. Julie for example is a brave fighter but she's a much better doctor even though she may be in doubt about that right now."
"Julie, why would she doubt herself? She is the smartest person I know."
"Because she couldn't save you Willie. We had to get Howie."
"She is a human doctor not a lizard doctor. She should not doubt herself."
"Neither should you. For now the best thing we can do is wait here and keep busy," Martin said getting up from his seat and grabbing a broom.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking up the old linoleum from the restroom. I figured since this may be a more permanent living quarters I should start some repairs to make it more livable. Why don't you grab that dust pan over there and help me sweep up some of the trash in there,"
"You hear that?"
"Yes. They've gotten tired of waiting. Here take this."
"A gun. I've never used a gun."
"Don't worry about it, just point and shoot."
"Isn't there another way? Maybe we can make run for it."
"To late for that. Besides we can't out run that shuttle with this old van. Elizabeth, listen you don't have to hit anything. Like I said, just point and shoot. I'll take care of everything else," Elias instructed Elizabeth. Two visitor troopers stepped around the entrance of the underpass careful to stay close to the wall and shot at the pair, causing sparks to fly off the wall near Elizabeth and Elias's heads and they quickly ducked further behind the van. Elias told Elizabeth to shoot toward the visitor troopers then he crawled under the van to the other side. As soon as Elizabeth started shooting the two troopers started shooting back, not noticing Elias creeping closer from the other side of the road. After several shots the troopers herd the Elizabeth's gun start clicking and knew she was out of bullets.
"Primitive human weapons," One trooper boasted to the other then stepped out from behind his cover and Elias saw his chance and shot him. The other trooper shot at him but Elias jumped out of the way just in time. He aimed at the trooper but the gun jammed and Elias once again found himself facing certain death. The trooper saw Elias's gun jam and smiled, he stepped out and raised his laser gun like a hunter about to shoot his prey. Suddenly the gun was shot from the troopers grip and Elias ran at him. The two stumbled to the ground with Elias on top and he quickly punched the trooper, then punched him again and pulled the trooper up by the collar of his red uniform. When he knew the trooper was out he let him go and stood to his feet.
"Are you O.k."
"I'm fine. I thought you said you couldn't shoot."
"I can't. I was aiming at his foot."
"His foot?"
"I thought if I shot him in the foot he would drop the gun and you could jump him."
"You've been watching to many movies. Next time shoot to kill," Elias said as he took the boots off the troopers then used his belt to bind the living troopers hands.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking the boots to slow him down."
"Where'd you learn that," Elizabeth asked and Elias looked up at her a little embarrassed.
"Westerns."
"Ah, movies."
"Just stay here."
"Where are you going?"
"To check the shuttle and make sure there's not another one waiting for his friends here."
"Be careful."
"Always."
Elias slowly walked out of the underpass and crept up the hill to the shuttle. He walked up the platform with his gun drawn and stepped into the shuttle. Not finding any remaining troopers inside he searched the shuttle for any thing useful. After finding only a folder with papers written in sirian and a laser pistol, Elias took the items and stepped out, pulled out a grenade and tossed it in the shuttle making it unusable.
"You've got five minutes," LT. James yelled from behind his jeep.
"Come on Julie isn't there anything we can do? I don't want my little girl born on a battle field."
"Allen I understand how you feel but the only thing we can do right now is take it one step at a time."
"Allen."
"It's going to be o.k. Just take it easy, I haven't let you down yet have I?"
"No, no, I love you."
"I love you"
"So your going to have a little girl this time."
"I want a baby. He wants a little girl."
"What are you going to name her?"
"Jennifer." "Barbara." The couple said at the same time causing them to laugh.
"Well, maybe you'll have twins."
"Oh!"
"I'm sorry," The boy said as he approached Kyle.
"About what?"
"The trouble I've caused."
"Forget it."
"You killed him."
"I don't know. I don't think so he managed to crawl away."
"And you didn't shoot him again?"
"Nope."
"I would have. When I grow up I'm going to join the resistance and kill lizards just like that."
"Well, with any luck by then the war will be over and you wont have to."
"But I want to."
"Your wrong. You shouldn't want to kill anybody. Not even lizards."
"I thought you was with the resistance."
"That's right."
Then I don't understand. How can you be with the resistance and not want to kill lizards."
"What's your name?"
"John Michael Davis,"
"Well, Listen to me John Michael Davis. There's only one reason to ever pick up a gun and that's in self defense. Everybody's got a right to live, even the visitors, as long as they are willing to live by the same rules we are. Understand that," Kyle explained and the boy nodded in understanding. "Then why don't you go back over there with your dad before things heat up around here again."
"This is your last chance. Surrender or die. You have one minute."
"what are the options?"
"Well, it sounds like there going to try and rush us. We can either stay and fight or try and get her into the van. Either way it's going to be rough Allan.
"I want this baby born free."
"Lets go for it. John come on around here. Help me with your mom."
"Remember your deep breathing," Julie said as the helped Joanne to her feet.
"How's it look," Julie asked Kyle.
"Time's almost up, It's now or never,"
"Get ready men.
"O.k. I want you to get in the van and start it, I'll cover you. We're going to get out of here.
"Alright."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Think you still got a pitching arm?"
"Sure."
"Alright, I'm going to make a run for the van. See if you can get this in that jeep over there," Kyle told Allan and handed him a grenade.
"You got it."
"Forty five seconds."
"Here goes nothing."
"This is your last chance. Alright hold it," Lt. James ordered his troops as Kyle stepped out of the store with his hands in the air. "Drop your weapon," Kyle carefully laid his gun on the ground. "Continue to walk this way with your hands in the air."
"Hey boys the parties up here," Mike yelled from the roof above the troopers.
"It's there leader Donovan, shoot him down." Lt. James ordered his troops while Kyle used the distraction to pick up his gun and run for the van. Mike shot down several of the troops while the remaining continued to return fire. This also aloud Allan the chance to throw the grenade in the back of the jeep, injuring many troopers and impressing young John.
"You saved us dad. You did it."
"You betcha, now lets go," Allan agreed and grabbed the boys hand leading him to the van where he and Julie helped Joanne climb in and once all where in Kyle took off. Once the van was a safe distance away Mike made his get away. Kyle drove around the back of the building and Mike fell out a back window and crashed into the van.
"Thought that might be you."
"How'd you know?"
"Isaac Newton."
"Huh."
"What goes up must come down."
"Hey, there's a car fallowing us," Allan informed them from the back of the van. Mike and Kyle both checked the rear view mirror.
"Relax it's Loraine. She helped me get to you in time. Plus that was the only building surrounded by our friends back there."
The banquet table was crawling with mice, spiders, worms and every delicacy a lizard would enjoy.
"Ah, the wedding march. It's time my friends," Charles announced to his guests and they all turned to watch as Diana descended the stairs in her scaly wedding suit and shimmering cape.
"Are you ready?"
"Mahot!"
"Luga!"
"Charles, do you promise to be the stone that crushes the leaders enemies."
"Ratael!"
"Diana, do you promise to bear Charles, in the ripeness of your years, a multitude of fearless warriors."
"Gratael," Diana answered unaware that Lydia who had been watching with great jalousie was sneaking away from the ceremony.
"Will you hunt and provide?"
"I will."
"The ceremonial mouse," The sirian priest announced then turn the box containing the small white mouse and opened it allowing Charles to reach in and remove it to give to his bride. Diana took the mouse and took the first bite before handing it back to Charles for him to finish. Mean while Lydia stepped into Charles's quarters and wedding sweet and approached the two cups next to the wedding bed and poured the cat poison she got from Marta into the brides cup.
"Like two serpents intertwined may you cling together until death. You may kisssss the bride," The priest said and Charles and Diana faced each other and sealed there vows with a kiss.
"In the name of our glories leader I declare you mated. EE YA CLACSTON OUYA MAE!" The priest and everyone cheered for the couple who turned to greet there guests.
"On behalf of myself and my lovely bride enjoy yourselves," Charles said and their guests made a run for the generously stocked table. At this time Lydia made her way back to the ceremony.
"Lydia, how thoughtful of you to come."
"Yes, we missed you. What's that sent your wearing?"
"Musk of rat. Do you like it?"
"It fits you to a tee."
"Enchanting."
"Don't let me keep you."
"You notice she leaves a disagreeable after taste," Charles told Diana as they watched Lydia stalk away. "Shale we go," Charles continued and the two made their way to Charles's quarters. "Here we are." Charles said when the door to his quarters closed.
"It reminds me of Lydia, even the smell"
"Musk of rat. Lydia's new perfume. Yes, it does seem to linger once you've had a whiff of it."
"You had them engraved how thoughtful. Charles and Diana."
"A gift from Lydia actually. The time has come."
"In my heart, I have longed for this moment."
"Then drink with me."
"Take this as you take me, forever," Diana offered returning the cup Charles had handed her. The two switched their cups and proceeded to drink. Suddenly a look mixed with shock and fear came over Charles's face.
"I've just been poisoned. Lydia," Charles said before succumbing to the effects of the poison.
A babies crying filled an alleyway behind an abandoned building where a van had stopped after making a hasty get away. Julie set in the back of the van with Allen, Joanna and their new baby girl while Mike, Loraine and Kyle stood near the open van door with John.
"Oh Allan, she's so lovely. You finally got the daughter you wanted."
"We owe her life to all of you."
"You'll never know how grateful we are for everything you've done."
"Well you know we wouldn't have had it any other way."
"Look, Joanna and I talked it over with John, we're going to name her Victoria. After the victory we'll all enjoy someday."
"Victoria, I like that."
"Let it be soon. For all our sakes," Mike said looking at baby Victoria in her mothers arms.
"Your back! Hey Martin they're back," Willie announced running down the track where Elias and Elizabeth where walking toward him.
"It's about time you two showed up. I thought I was going to have to tie Willie to the subway car to keep him from coming after you."
"Sorry we worried you. A visitor shuttle tried to follow us home and we had to stop and shoot it out."
"Are you sure there weren't more?"
"Wouldn't have returned if I wasn't. Hey, Willie your looking pretty good for someone that just went three rounds with the enemy.""Thank you Elias. I am feeling most better."
"Much better Willie," Elizabeth said and hugged him.
For the second night in a row Robin watched the beautiful glow of the sun setting behind the cliffs. When she herd the screen door creek open she turned to see Maggie stepping outside.
"Beautiful isn't it."
"I don't think I could ever tire of a view like that."
"I've lived here for over a year and haven't tired of it yet. Before the war started up again Chris and I set out here and watched it almost every night."
"If you don't mind me asking. How did the two of you hook up?"
"I don't mind, I'll admit he's certainly different then anyone else I've ever been with." "Successful nurse meet mercenary for hire. Seems like an unlikely match."
"After the war I started to feel all the things I couldn't let myself feel during the war. Having sex with Daniel to get information from him, the arguments Mark and I had about it and then Marks death. All that time I was fighting to survive like everyone else and when it was over I decided I didn't want to survive anymore."
"Maggie!" Robin gasped.
"Don't worry I didn't do anything. But only because Chris got to me before I had the chance. I had the pills, I would have taken them but Chris stopped me. He didn't see the pills he just some how knew. I guess he'd seen that look before."
"What'd he do?"
"Listened. Chris is real easy to talk to. No matter what I said he didn't judge me or look at me different. He just let me talk."
"Yah, I noticed that about him myself."
"Maybe he should be the one studying psychology."
"Maybe. So that's how you got together. He saved your life."
"No, not really. I fell in love with this place the moment I saw it and bought it from the original owner. Chris stayed and helped me fix it up since it needed a lot of work done. I sorta got used to him being around. But I started falling in love with him watching him work. He'd work on the car, work on the wiring in the house, work all day to replace worn boards on the porch then turn around and repair an injured birds wing. Those burly hands of his can take a motor apart, pry old boards off the porch and delicately bandage a birds wing without harming it. What can I say, I fell in love with the eighth wonder of the world."
"I believe you did."
"Right now that eighth wonder is about to fall asleep in the chair. I better get him to bed. We got an long day tomorrow and knowing Ham he'll want to get an early start. The guest bedroom is ready for you. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
"Robin, thru all that I learned I was stronger than I thought I was. You are to."
"Thanks Maggie."
Maggie went inside and woke Chris who was dozing off. "Come on Chris. That room you booked is ready."
"Is there a mint on my pillow?" Chris said as he stretched. "Nope, no mint. Just me." Maggie said with a smile. "Even better. Goodnight brother." Chris said and followed Maggie into the bedroom.
"You better get to bed to. I want to hit the road at sunrise." Ham told Robin when he stepped outside then walked off into the night.
The bay doors to Charles's quarters opened and Lydia sauntered in.
"Charles, Charles," Lydia said approaching the chair Charles set in and she turned the chair to face her, receiving the shock of her life when instead of seeing the grateful Charles setting there she saw his poisoned ravaged corps. "NO, NO, OH NO," She cried out.
"It's to late for regret Lydia. Your under arrest for the wanton murder of Charles. Take her away."
"NO, NO, No, no," Lydia screamed as the guards drug her out of the room. Leaving Diana alone with her dead husband, she could hear Lydia screaming as the guards continued dragging down the hall.
The end of Ch. 13
