Protector of Men Ch 103

"They're out of range, sir!"

"Did you tell them we'll be out of contact?"

The soldier was quiet for a moment, and got back on the radio to the Mayflower. Outside their small room a battle was raging; though the sounds of war were muffled, they still thundered through Zion, trumpeting its presence to all its inhabitants.

"Columbus, we're going to lose contact once the batteries are blown."

"Understood," the captain replied. The soldier in Zion looked to his commander and nodded. "She knows."

"Tell her to contact us before she gets in range of Zion again."

"With Cover's crew?"

"Yes."

The soldier got on the radio again.

"Columbus?" he asked, hoping that she hadn't turned off her radio in anticipation of their blast. He waited for an answer.

"Yes sir?"

"Radio us in before you're in range again," the soldier continued, "Once you have Cover's crew with you."

"Understood," she answered.

"That's all," the Commander in Zion informed. The soldier nodded.

"Columbus, that is all. Over and out."

"Out," she said, and the radio died.

"Hear that?" Columbus trumpeted through the Mayflower, "We're off-contact until we're back in range again!"

The crew began mumbling about the danger, but none were specific. Columbus knew that they'd accept the immediate – and obvious - danger of the mission. Hell, they had to: she was their captain, and they did everything she told them to.

She was just that kind of captain.

"How long 'till we find them?" a crewmember asked, sitting on the floor with a bowl of slop. Columbus looked to the speaker, then shrugged noncommittally.

"Come on, newb," joked Mercury, the ship's ranking officer, "Don't you think she'd have told us if she knew? We don't even know where they are."

"Hey asshole," the crewmember shot back, "I'm not a newbie, alright?"

Mercury looked back in disbelief. He was the ranking officer; they couldn't disrespect him like that… 'asshole'?

"I've been in this shit for longer than you can remember," she continued, playing on Mercury's younger status, "I just haven't been around you." She paused, then added: "And thank god for that."

"Hey," Kapera said as she came in on the conversation, "Merc's just trying to be fair, okay?"

They were all quiet for a moment, and Kapera continued.

"Mercury's gotta be an ass to everyone; he's just welcoming you in…" she playfully slapped him on the arm and moved to join the new crewmember on the floor, but paused at seeing her still angry attitude.

"Real funny stuff," the crewmember said, "You see this?" She pointed to her heavily braced legs and smiled grotesquely. "I'm not playing around."

Mercury and Kapera were silent; the crewmember went back to eating her food.

"I think, actually," she continued, "that you guys need some practice before we go in looking to save anyone. I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed once you go out with intentions of rescuing the One from certain doom."

Kapera got up and looked to Mercury, as if asking him what to do.

"Yeah," the new crewmember nagged cruelly, "Go, go!"

In the background Columbus laughed quietly, making sure none of her crew saw the entertainment she derived from the newbie's cruel attitude. It looked like Alias was already bonding with the crew… Columbus sighed and continued steering the ship towards broadcast level. It seemed like the thought of attacking sentinels had instantly left their minds once they were out of the confines of Zion. So far, they hadn't seen one yet.

Zandra had finally fallen asleep on the floor of the cockpit after a small yet extremely fulfilling meal of single-cell. Her jack-in had, for a while, made her forget about her hunger - but when she did, it was debilitating. Shade had offered to get her something to eat, and she gladly accepted. After only ten minutes she was finished, and conked out on the floor. Shade went back to copiloting, and the Libertas continued their retreat to Zion.

"I can't believe it," Alex's mom said, her eyes misty with emotion, "Our little girl is going to college…"

"Mom," Alex countered kindly, "It's okay – really, it's only a little more than a month 'till I see you guys again."

"I know, it's just a monumentus event!" The family laughed for a moment, taking refuge in their mother's sudden excitement.

"It's a big step," Will cut in, an evil smile on his face. "You'll have a lot of fun… I'm sure…"

Alex rolled her eyes and clipped her brother on the shoulder. "You know me," she answered, making sure to look at her mother while assuring them of her virtue. They both just smiled.

"Just stay who you are," her mother said in a sudden burst of emotion, throwing herself over her daughter in what seemed a futile attempt to keep her from leaving. Alex laughed.

"Of course I will!"

"Just do what's right, no matter the consequences," Will said, he too suddenly serious. Alex looked at him questioningly, but he didn't answer. Neo passed them by in the background, giving Zandra a short nod before disappearing into the distance.

"You've been the best daughter we could imagine," her mom said, "My little Zandra…"

"Do what you have to," her brother continued, "The war has to end..."

Zandra sighed, and woke up. Shade turned around at her movement and smiled.

"Up again? You were asleep for a good hour."

Zandra yawned sleepily and smiled; somewhat placated by the evolving dream.

"Those sentinels started to follow us," Kesia said, pointing out into the abyss in front of them. "At first I was worried, but it looks like they're just watching out."

Zandra nodded; it made sense enough.

"How long until we get back?"

"Maybe ten hours."

"How long until we get to broadcast level?" Kapera asked, taking a break from manning the gun turrets. For most of them, it had been a quiet two hours, but who knew how much more they had to endure before their mission was complete…

"Maybe ten hours."

A/N – baaaaah to school. I've become so complacent when it comes to school. Ugh I have Senior Presentation this weekend, which means I get to be all prettied up in a nice dress and stuff and stand on a stage while people gasp at my ultimate beauty and accomplishments. Haha… but technically, that's what it is. Meeeeh it's stressful. I hope I don't break out or something….

Alocin – thanks for your input… okay, so an ending without deaths. That sounds about right…

Oh hey! I got a new reviewer on Reprise! That was refreshing; it's nice to see people starting from the beginning…