If Isabel turned to her left, she would see Sir Lucan, Thane, Giovanni and the rest of the council. If she looked to her right, she would see Cruise, Pitt and the Crew. All around her were people of great importance or who had far more experience in the world than she might ever know. Yet, the one person Isabel couldn't take her eyes off was standing right in front of her. Even hours after they had sex and returned to the camp, Isabel still gazed at her mother with love in her eyes. Helen would catch her daughter glancing at her and turn away, trying not to become flustered. She got a few questioning looks from others when she smiled, but for the historian, it was worth it as she carried the memories of last night with her.
However, there was no time for the mother and daughter duo to bask in the afterglow. They had a mission. And with the council and the Crew gathered around a small table that had been folded up, Helen and Cruise looked over a map of the land he had provided. The map was of the old world, showcasing landmarks that had long been destroyed. But, the Crew had marked it with their own pointers. As Cruise explained the details of the map to Helen, everyone else waited with bated breath to see what the next course of action would be.
After a while, Helen rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. ''That's the quickest way to get to your weapon?''
''Afraid so,'' Cruise shrugged.
''Fine,'' Helen looked up at everyone as she pointed to a spot on the map. ''Okay, so we're here. And the weapon that Cruise wants is over here.''
A look of hopelessness flashed across everyone's faces as her finger glided across the map until it was on the other side.
''That will take weeks to cross if we're lucky,'' Giovanni said.
''Aren't there more tunnels we could journey through…'' Lucan mumbled.
Cruise wagged his finger at the elder. ''Sorry, dirt-walker. You're going to have to get used to the sun. The only tunnels from here to there will take us everywhere except where we need to go.''
Thane glared at the Viper. ''And what's your plan if we get attacked again?''
''I'm the plan,'' Isabel proclaimed loudly. ''If anything comes for us, I'll take care of it. With my senses, I'll know if something is coming from a mile away. And I have enough stamina to circle around the group for protection.''
''She's right,'' Helen nodded. ''My daughter has the stamina.''
There was a moment to pause as Helen thought about what she just said. She breathed deeply, trying not to blush or give away any hint that there was a double meaning behind her words. She also chose to ignore the look Isabel was giving her because she knew her daughter would be teasing her with a mischievous smirk.
Just as Thane opened his mouth to speak, his father raised his hand. ''I have full confidence in Isabel protecting us.''
''As do I,'' Giovanni said, followed by the others within the council. Standing between then was Thane, who kept silent and clenched his fist. He watched as everyone stared at Isabel with admiration, even his own father.
Isabel turned to Cruise. ''Speaking of group, do we know who will be coming with us?''
''Most of my Crew are game. Obviously we'll have a few doctors and cooks stay behind to look after your people. We've got a bunker close by where they will stay. You just need to work out who amongst your colony will be dumb enough and brave enough to join our fellowship.''
Isabel stared at him in confusion. ''What's a fellowship?''
Helen smiled in amusement at her daughter's question. She looked to the Lucan. ''We don't want to bring too many with us. Cruise and his Crew have enough people.''
''Is there anyone you would recommend?'' Lucan asked.
''My good friend, Jon, has some medical knowledge. He's strong. And…'' she paused like she was about to reveal a forbidden secret. ''I may have taught him a little bit of history about the old world. That was my doing.''
Lucan sighed. ''Frankly, I do not care about something as meaningless as that. All that matters is that we find this weapon. No matter the cost. If you suggest Jon, then I shall trust your judgement. You and your daughter have given me no reason to doubt you thus far.''
Thane flinched, and before he thought about what to do next, he stepped forward. ''I will go as well, father.''
Everyone looked at the young man with shock written all over their faces. The same could be said of Isabel, although there was also a hint of disgust masked behind her features. She could see her mother looking at her, trying to silently calm her down. Isabel grit her teeth and turned the other way.
''Son?'' Lucan's crinkled brow creased. ''Are you sure? You are the future of this colony…''
''Which is why I should go,'' Thane replied, puffing out his chest. ''I must set an example and make you proud, father. We are fighting not only for the future of the colony but for the future of the world. I have what it takes to see that through to the end.''
There was still a look of concern and hesitation plastered over the older man's face. Isabel couldn't believe it, but she actually felt her heart tug for him yet again. She didn't believe that he truly cared about anyone. However, there was no doubt in her mind that Lucan genuinely loved his son.
''I shall go with them!'' Giovanni said.
Lucan eased when he heard those commanding words. Thane turned and nodded to him. ''Thank you, Giovanni.''
Giovanni tilted his head at Thane before he walked over to Isabel and grinned. ''You saved my life. Who knows? Perhaps on this journey, I shall return the favor.''
Isabel smirked. ''That would be neat.''
His face saddened. ''It would be the least I could do. Especially after the way I've treated you over the years, the way everyone in the colony has treated you…'' he then boldly glared at the council, challenging any of them to speak out. Isabel felt a lump form in her throat watching him stand up against his superiors. Giovanni set his eyes back onto Isabel and bowed. ''I am sorry for not treating you as an equal.''
''That's all in the past now,'' Isabel said. ''Let's focus on finding this weapon.''
XXX
The time had come.
Isabel watched on as some of Cruise's Crew began to lead the rest of the colony to their hidden bunker for safety. In the crowd she could see her mother's friend, Jon, parting ways with his partner. He tried not to look in her eyes as she sobbed and gave some room for his four sons to also say their goodbyes. Jon was the biggest person Isabel had ever seen. A giant of a man. Yet, he was doing everything he could to hold back his tears as he embraced his family before they separated. Jon returned to Isabel's group, breathing heavily and clearing his throat.
Standing beside Isabel, her mother reached out to grasp Jon's massive hand. ''You don't have to come. I only suggested for your name.''
''I know,'' he smiled, staring at the two of them. ''But I think it's time I tried some of that bravery you two have been feasting on.''
Isabel giggled. ''Yeah, it's done wonders for me.''
She then lifted her arm and flexed her muscles. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her mother gawking at her bulging bicep. Helen's hand reached out to touch it. But she came to her senses and slapped Isabel's arm away, trying not to laugh. Thankfully, it seemed like Jon only saw their routine as banter. He walked over to Cruise so that he could meet with the Crew that may be helping him with medicine on their journey.
When they had some space to themselves, Helen sharply turned to her daughter. ''You did that on purpose.''
''I know.'' Isabel winked. ''But you liked it.''
''I'm not saying I didn't,'' Helen blushed. ''We just have to be careful. It's fine if only Jess knows about us. But I don't think others will be as understanding.''
Isabel nodded and then sighed. She thought about her best friend. ''I'm going to miss her, mom. I don't think it's fair that…'' Isabel stopped abruptly and looked out in front of her. ''She's coming with us.''
''I know, baby girl'' Helen said casually, not looking at where Isabel was. ''But even though she was feeling better this morning, she wouldn't be able to…''
''No, no, she's coming here! Now!'' Isabel gasped and pointed.
Helen followed where her daughter was pointing and she did a double-take. Running in the completely opposite direction from the rest of the colony was Jess. She hurried over to Isabel and Helen, sweaty and tired-looking, but with sheer determination in her stride. Before long, the others among their group noticed her approaching.
''Hey!'' Giovanni called out, scaring Jess into stopping before she reached them. ''Go back with the others!''
''I want to come!'' Jess shouted back, surprising everyone. ''I promise that my injury won't slow me down.''
''That's not the point. We have everyone we need.'' Giovanni replied.
''You don't have many people who can read maps. I don't know much about the surface, but I know about maps. My parents were tunnelers before they died. They would chart where they went and I learnt everything I could from them. I might need some lessons on how to read the map, but I'll learn quicker than anyone here. So, don't try and stop me because I'm coming you…you…mean person!''
Giovanni looked around, unsure of what to do. With Helen being the only member of the council presence, she technically had the loudest say in the matter. Right now, she was too shocked by what Jess was doing to really comprehend the situation. She couldn't help but admire the fire inside of the young woman. She could see why she left such an impression on her daughter. The only time Jess would falter would be when she caught Isabel staring at her. She tried to stop her knees from trembling as she looked Giovanni in the eye and stood her ground.
''Hold the phone,'' Cruise broke the silence. He walked over to Jess, staring at her intriguingly. ''You're the girl that saved the historian from the Drake, right?''
Jess nodded after a moment of hesitation. ''Yes, that was I…me! Yes!''
Cruise devolved into a fit of laughter, clapping his hands before turning to the rest of the group. He pointed at Isabel. ''Sorry to say this, kid, but your friend here has bigger balls than you.''
''I do?'' Jess baulked. ''I don't. Isabel's are…I mean not that I…''
''It's a figure of speech,'' Cruise said as he wrapped his arm around Jess's shoulder and dragged her towards the group. ''You are absolutely right. Barring myself and the historian, not many here can read a map well. You've seen your shot and you took that. I like that in a person. That's why you're going to fit nicely between these two.''
He then pushed her into the path of Isabel and Helen. They both reached out and caught Jess before she tripped over. The moment they touched; Jess's face illuminated into a bright shade of red. ''Fit between…uh…''
''I think that was a figure of speech too,'' Helen said softly. She released Jess from her grasp and placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. ''I can teach you how to read an old world map. But you have to be absolutely certain you want to do this.''
Jess looked at the two of them nervously. She locked eyes with Isabel and suddenly felt a burst of courage blossom from within. Smiling brightly, she nodded. ''I want to help. I've never made a difference in anything before.''
Cruise clapped again. ''That settles it! You three will be a cute little pair!''
He turned around before he noticed the three women staring at each other awkwardly and hiding their blushes.
The Viper leader then circled around Jon, Giovanni and Thane. ''You three will be the almost as cute bigger pair.''
Thane flaunted his hand at Cruise. ''Don't touch me.''
''Good call. We wouldn't want you to break into little pieces.'' Cruise scurried off to lead his Crew into the distance before Thane could think of a retort.
Isabel, Helen and Jess glanced at each other. There was a part of them that wondered if this group would kill each other before any Drakes or Dragons got the chance. Either way, they were ready to set off and find their superweapon. Weeks of travel lay ahead of them. There was no way of knowing what else could be lurking out in the world. They would be going farther than even Cruise and his Crew had gone. All Isabel cared about was defeating the Dragons and making sure that everyone returned home alive.
She silently prayed that she would have what it takes to protect them all.
XXX
HELLO MY AMAZING, FANTASTIC, SWEET SUPERSTARS! I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IT'S A BIT OF A REST FROM THE LAST CHAPTER AND BEFORE THE NEXT CHAPTER WHICH IS GOING TO BE QUITE ACTION-PACKED AND EXCITING. I HOPE THAT YOU LIKE IT. I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS. WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS CHAPTER? AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ENJOYING MOST ABOUT THIS STORY SO FAR? THERE'S STILL QUITE A JOURNEY AHEAD OF US AND WE'RE SOON GOING TO BE APPROACHING SOME VERY BIG CHAPTERS. I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU ALL. I'M SO EXCITED.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR AMAZING SUPPORT. YOU ARE THE BEST. STAY SAFE OUT THERE AND TA-TA FOR NOW.
