Disclaimer: I ain't sayin' nothin' (Somewhere we hear rabid lawyers
screech.)
Chapter 18: Journey
It was a day later. So far we'd been hit by three shockwaves, the last nearly running the Hovercraft into some tall wayward rocks. These shockwaves were also creating fissures in the red earth, making our journey even more complicated.
Not to mention that the atmosphere behind us was beginning to burn.
Alex was speaking to the Martian Council about something. He spoke in a different language, which made it impossible for me to understand a word he said.
"What are they saying?" I asked after he stopped talking to the Council.
"Everyone is being shipped to the main cities of Mars. Those have the strongest Bio-domes."
I looked at his worried face, "What then?"
He glanced at me than back to his driving, "We'll see when we get to Dest."
Dest was the capital city of Mars. I had no idea we were that close to it.
Three hours later we entered the city of Dest. The large Bio-dome was in place, but covering only two thirds of the city.
Because of the dome we had to enter in through an air locked docking bay, but it took us another hour to get in. The place was a wreck. People were panic-stricken, rushing about and trying to find someway to keep their city intact.
When we finally pulled into and parked in the decking bay, Abby was asleep, Alex looked like he went through a preverbal meat grinder and I, on the other hand, felt like choking someone. Namely the person who decided that a bomb was a good idea.
I shook Abby awake, and the three of us wearily stepped out of the hovercraft.
Surveying my surroundings I noticed that all of the people there were staring at Abby and me.
"Daniels! How dare you bring the likes of them to this place!" Said one man, "What if they're saboteurs?"
All of the people now surrounding us began to murmur then another man, with a swarthy complexion, pulled out a Laser-pistol, and pointed it at my head, "Screw that! Let's just get rid of them now! They've caused enough damage!"
Alex pushed himself in front of me, "Uther stop. It's time to stop. We have a chance to continue living. We don't have to stain that hope by spilling more blood."
The man, Uther, tightened his finger on the trigger, "Stop protecting that woman, Alex! Her people have committed countless atrocities! My whole town was obliterated! They all deserve a quick death!"
"No, Uther, " Alex spread his arms protectively, "they don't. No one has the right to take the life of another. No one. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even her. I'm willing to vouch for the both of them. "
Alex took a step forward.
Uther's eyes widened, "What are you doing Alex? Why are you protecting her? A Lunan!"
I couldn't see it but I was sure Alex's eyes had softened, "Because it's not your right, and because she can change." Alex took another step forward, "I know she can, she already has. But by killing her you only lower yourself to the level of those Lunans who mercilessly killed our friends and family.
"It's time to stop, Uther. Now." Alex then did the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. He took one last step and placed a hand on the now shaking Laser- pistol.
And pushed it down.
Once the crowd that had gathered was gone, I pulled Alex into a tight embrace and nearly broke into tears, "Dammit Alex, what if he decided to shoot you to get at me?! That was so stupid! I..." I squeezed the fabric of his shirt, "I don't want to lose you."
He pushed me back a little so he could look at my face, and smiled, "I know Uther very well, and the only reason he's angry, is because he's just lost just about every single person one he's ever known."
Alex kissed my forehead, "Come on, let me get you two some rooms."
Chapter 18: Journey
It was a day later. So far we'd been hit by three shockwaves, the last nearly running the Hovercraft into some tall wayward rocks. These shockwaves were also creating fissures in the red earth, making our journey even more complicated.
Not to mention that the atmosphere behind us was beginning to burn.
Alex was speaking to the Martian Council about something. He spoke in a different language, which made it impossible for me to understand a word he said.
"What are they saying?" I asked after he stopped talking to the Council.
"Everyone is being shipped to the main cities of Mars. Those have the strongest Bio-domes."
I looked at his worried face, "What then?"
He glanced at me than back to his driving, "We'll see when we get to Dest."
Dest was the capital city of Mars. I had no idea we were that close to it.
Three hours later we entered the city of Dest. The large Bio-dome was in place, but covering only two thirds of the city.
Because of the dome we had to enter in through an air locked docking bay, but it took us another hour to get in. The place was a wreck. People were panic-stricken, rushing about and trying to find someway to keep their city intact.
When we finally pulled into and parked in the decking bay, Abby was asleep, Alex looked like he went through a preverbal meat grinder and I, on the other hand, felt like choking someone. Namely the person who decided that a bomb was a good idea.
I shook Abby awake, and the three of us wearily stepped out of the hovercraft.
Surveying my surroundings I noticed that all of the people there were staring at Abby and me.
"Daniels! How dare you bring the likes of them to this place!" Said one man, "What if they're saboteurs?"
All of the people now surrounding us began to murmur then another man, with a swarthy complexion, pulled out a Laser-pistol, and pointed it at my head, "Screw that! Let's just get rid of them now! They've caused enough damage!"
Alex pushed himself in front of me, "Uther stop. It's time to stop. We have a chance to continue living. We don't have to stain that hope by spilling more blood."
The man, Uther, tightened his finger on the trigger, "Stop protecting that woman, Alex! Her people have committed countless atrocities! My whole town was obliterated! They all deserve a quick death!"
"No, Uther, " Alex spread his arms protectively, "they don't. No one has the right to take the life of another. No one. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even her. I'm willing to vouch for the both of them. "
Alex took a step forward.
Uther's eyes widened, "What are you doing Alex? Why are you protecting her? A Lunan!"
I couldn't see it but I was sure Alex's eyes had softened, "Because it's not your right, and because she can change." Alex took another step forward, "I know she can, she already has. But by killing her you only lower yourself to the level of those Lunans who mercilessly killed our friends and family.
"It's time to stop, Uther. Now." Alex then did the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. He took one last step and placed a hand on the now shaking Laser- pistol.
And pushed it down.
Once the crowd that had gathered was gone, I pulled Alex into a tight embrace and nearly broke into tears, "Dammit Alex, what if he decided to shoot you to get at me?! That was so stupid! I..." I squeezed the fabric of his shirt, "I don't want to lose you."
He pushed me back a little so he could look at my face, and smiled, "I know Uther very well, and the only reason he's angry, is because he's just lost just about every single person one he's ever known."
Alex kissed my forehead, "Come on, let me get you two some rooms."