Chapter 3

Broud Vader's Secret Weapon

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"Amber leader to Ochre Red leader, do you copy?"

"Quit playing around Frebec. Of course I copy, you're right behind the tree. Now be quiet and wait for my signal." Talut looked at the troublesome man in frustration. Their team's mission was to engage the flatheads in battle while Ayla and the other team got the sacred root.

Talut raised his arm and bellowed, "charge!"

Across the way, Ayla Organic, Danug Waterwalker, Ranec Calrisian and some others heard the roar. "That must be the signal," Ranec said.

What would he know about 'the signal?' Ayla thought to herself. But followed as they stealthily made their way through the forest. The place wasn't far, and she quickly took her digging stick and turned up a few good size roots. Just as she was stuffing them in her pouch, a voice stopped her.

"Ayla!" Followed by the sounds of moving arms of speaking. She didn't turn around and ignored what he was saying. Broud was livid with rage. How dare that insolent woman return and steal their sacred root!

"Um, Ayla, there's a funny looking short guy that looks like he'd like to kill you over there," Danug stated flatly.

She sighed in resignation and turned to Broud who now ignited his light saber. "What's that?"

He grinned evilly at her. "This is the downfall of the Others. With this we will hunt you all down and destroy your race. It's called a light saber."

The men looked at him in horror. This was it; this was the end for them. They had failed in their mission and failed their people. And most of all, they wouldn't be able to get the ultimate buzz from the sacred root beer.

Ayla began laughing hysterically. "How...do...you...expect...to...kill...us?" She gasped in between guffaws.

He shot her a scathing look. "By swinging it at you and cutting you down!" He roared.

Her laughter doubled, and the men looked at her in consternation. "Do you think the shock made her lose her mind?" Ranec mused.

"No, I'm still sane," she chortled. "It's just, he can't!" A torrent of laughter followed before she could find breath again. "His arms and shoulders don't have free range of movement. Just look at his physiology, he's made for strength, not sword wielding."

Broud's expression turned to shock. Looking down at himself, he attempted to swing his arms around. "Zot!" He cried. "It wasn't enough for the insolent Mother to make us funny looking with a big useless brain, but to deprive us of free range of movement too. But no matter, I'll spear you with the sword instead."

Having had enough of him, Ayla rolled her eyes and grabbed her sling. Swinging it quickly, a thunk! Thunk! Sounded. Broud lay with a huge gash in his head, the saber lying useless beside him.

"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle," Danug said with awe.

The team turned away to return to camp, mission successful. Suddenly, there was a scuffle from behind them. Whirling around, Ayla's eyes widened in shock and pleasure. Apparently Broud wasn't all done in, he had gotten up and was about to spring on her with his dirk. Jon Solo had leapt to the rescue, subduing the flathead.

"Ayla," Broud gasped out. "Come with me and join the flatheads again."

"Never! I'll never come back," she hissed.

"You underestimate the power of the Creb. Come, and we can rule together as leader and insolent woman. Mog-ur taught you many things, but he didn't tell you about Durc. You do want to see your son again?" He had her full attention. "But Mog-ur didn't tell you the truth. Ayla, I am his father. I'm the father of your child."

"No! It can't be!" She protested strangely close to tears.

"Search your thoughts Ayla, you know it be true!"

Her thoughts were not good company at that moment. Turning, she fled away from the ugly bleeding Broud and headed back to camp. Jon Solo jumped on his steed and raced after her.

"Ayla! You're coming with me. We need to rendezvous with the others at the end of the river." Wolf trotted obediently along, tongue lolling out.

She turned to him and nodded. "But first we must go somewhere. I promised to go to the Zelondonii."

"The Zelondonii? Isn't that a bit far?"

"Don't worry Jon, I know what I'm doing. It's a promise to an old friend. Besides, we can use light speed travel." She thought of Mamut and the little training he had been able to give her. He had made her promise to visit the Zeldonii and seek out Zolena.

"Make it so," Jon replied tugging his tunic self-consciously, "engage."

Ayla rolled her eyes. "Wrong science fiction story."