Chapter six; Save Mertil!
"Aaahhh!" He hurtled himself down from the top of the car!
(Rachel! It's your soulmate!)
Dumb Hork-Bajir. One of him, and eight of us…
WHUMP!
He hit the ground when Gafinilan smacked him with the side of his enormous tail blade. So much for the act of bravery.
(He is unconscious) Gafinilan said (I believe he will remain so for quite some time)
(Duh)
(Everyone!) Jake shouted (We're not going to stand here and wait for the rest of them to show up. Stick to the shadows. We move forward and surround the clearing)
(Too late, man) Tobias reported (They're sending out a unit of Hork-Bajir. They'll be on us in a minute!)
(Okay, new plan. Wait until they're close) Jake snapped (Then we take them down)
(What about the next batch, after them?) Cassie cried.
(Take them down too. We've got to keep pushing closer to the clearing)
(And Mertil) Gafinilan added softly.
(Look out!) Out of no where, came ten Hork-Bajir, charging straight towards us. One came at Marco, but he shoved those gigantic fists in his belly, and safe to say he went down hard.
Another on me! I dodged easily, and ZOOM! I was on him! Cut, slice, gone again!
Howls, and screeches of the others! Attack another! More coming!
ZOOM! ZOOM! I took two out before they could raise their arms to defend themselves! Running, leaping, tearing the only way a cheetah could! Gone again!
Three more! And another!
(They're everywhere!) I cried, seeing Jake leap out of the corner of my eye.
Runrunrunrunrunrunrun!! Duck and dodge, using my speed and agility. Too bad my endurance was starting to wear down.
I'd lost the others! Had to find them again!
Slice! A Hork-Bajir I didn't even see took a swipe at me, cutting deep into my left leg. I snarled, leapt up at him, took him down, then was off again. But the wound in my leg slowed me down, and I was more than tired now.
Two more! Dodge a blow that nearly cut me in two, leap up, and…
(Ahhh!!!) I screamed as the second sliced cleanly through my spine. I fell, a limp cheetah. The pain was unimaginable… but I'd felt it like this… then I saw it come at me again…
FWAAAPPP!!!
The Hork-Bajir fell, decapitated. Behind him, Ax and Gafinilan.
(Thanks Ax. And… sorry about… you know)
(Yes, I do know. And you are welcome) he replied, even as he turned and the two Andalites faced more Hork-Bajir (I suggest you shift to something useful)
(Yeah) I said, then shifted to Chanaiben. To Ithiell. I flapped my wings, trying to get my bearings on the place. I rose slowly up over the box cars, looking around with the amazing eyes of a Chanaiben, to…
(Everyone!) Marco screamed (They're moving the truck!)
Before I could react, something hit me from behind, and we both went tumbling down. Another Hork-Bajir! Why didn't I see him!
"Changeling" He snarled as he pinned me to the ground.
"Yes, changeling" I replied, baring my Chanaiben teeth at him. I whipped my tail forward, hitting him square in the stomach. I didn't send him sprawling, but it gave me enough time and space to start using my claws. Before I knew it, I'd shredded him up pretty good. I pushed him away, getting up and checking my wings. They seemed ok, so…
(I'm going for the main gate!) Marco called (Whoever can, meet me there!)
I saw a barrage of Hork-Bajir coming at me from the left and right, and grabbed onto the side of the box car beside me with my neat claws…
(Where the heck is the main gate?) Rachel cried as dug my claws in and I hauled myself up, knowing the Hork-Bajir would only follow me. For now, at least I could get away from them until I was able to…
(Okay) he shouted (all the way left. Probably behind the old station. Just go!)
(I'll follow the headlights) Tobias said.
I flapped my wings, realising they were slightly more damaged than I thought. It hurt to flap them, but I did it anyway, holding in a painful gasp as I looked left and right, getting higher each time I flapped my wings…
(Ax is back with Gafinilan) Jake cried (He's losing it. We're down two soldiers so look sharp) I thought I saw Marco making his way over the box cars…
Wham! Hork-Bajir suddenly leapt up at me grabbing my ankle. I was pulled down shockingly fast, and hit the top of the boxcar with a loud thud. It was agonising.
More were getting the idea of climbing up after me. I managed to knock two down, but the one who had grabbed my leg still held me. I brought my tail forward, knocking him off me. My wings were tattered and torn, and there was no time to focus on reshaping them. Hork-Bajir were climbing up, at least a dozen or so, after me. So I had only one alternative.
Run.
(Marco!) I heard Tobias call (You're gonna intercept the truck in about a minute. Hurry!)
I ran, hauling butt the only way a Chanaiben knows how to do. On all fours. Sure, they walk upright and can run, but when they really want to move, this is the way.
I ran, and saw Marco from a far off, running across the cars as fast as he could. Too far away! I'd never reach them in time!
(Marco, I'm just behind you, on the ground) Rachel's voice sounded, and although I couldn't see her, I knew she was there. Good, maybe it would be all right…
(You're on your own Marco) Jake (Cassie and I got caught up with a few Hork-Bajir. We're…) he trailed off. That didn't sound good.
I pushed my body faster, leaping with almost liquid grace to the next lot of boxcars, then another, watching as Marco crawled the last few feet to the end of the train car. Jump again! But I knew I couldn't reach him in time…
(When I give the word, buddy) Tobias.
(I'm on it) Marco.
(Go! Go! Go!)
He suddenly disappeared from sight! Leapt off the car, where I couldn't see him!
(Damn! And so close!)
WHUMMPF! I heard the impact as he landed on the car, and as I reached the edge, I saw him drop his weight to the side of the truck. Well at least I knew he hadn't killed himself by leaping like that.
(Driver heard something) Tobias reported.
The truck sped away, and I jumped down to the ground, catching the impact in my legs. Then, I ran after it, a little slower this time. After all, being slammed into something metal and hard can really take a lot out of you. I probably had a few broken bones…
I saw Marco, now on the truck's cabin, yank open the driver's side door and reach in for the driver. Then the driver slammed on the brakes.
And Marco went flying through the air.
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(MARCO!!) I screamed, running past the truck and towards Marco. Watched as he hit the ground, rolling. Then, he stopped.
(OH GOD MARCO!! ARE YOU OKAY?!) I didn't realise I was screaming, until after I said it. I crouched on his left side, checking if he was okay. Well, at least he was still…
RRRRMMMMMM!!! Driver revved the engine, gunned it!
SCREEEEEEEE!!!
No!
I stood in front of Marco, bracing for the second when it… I had to save him… lights were coming closer… and closer…
(NO JADE!! YOU'LL BE KILLED!!)
Then…
CRAAAAASSHHH!!!
A train car! It smashed right into the path of the speeding truck, stopping it dead. Then came the elephant cry. I think it was only then that I started to breathe again. Marco stepped out from behind me, looking at me funny. I was breathing heavily, and I'm sure my big green Chanaiben eyes were wiiiide open.
(Nice Rachel) he knuckle-walked toward the mess (Get Mertil in a train wreck)
To me, he said (Thanks Jade. For… you know)
(Uh-huh. Now let's go see if he's ok) I padded along on all fours, walking beside him.
(Didn't know Chanaibens could do that) he commented.
(Well, now you know) I replied as Rachel said,
(You're welcome for saving your life. Again)
(Thanks Rach) I said sincerely to her as Marco and I made our way to the back of the truck. The front end was a mess! I just hoped Mertil wasn't hurt.
(Mertil!) Marco called (You okay?)
(I am as I was) he replied. Well, that was a relief. What did he begin as?
Rachel joined us (Let's get this open) she said (Before the gas tank blows or something)
Marco wrapped his thick gorilla fingers around the gate latch at the back of the truck and pulled. Nothing. He tried again. Still nothing.
(Let me try my trunk) Rachel suggested.
(Be my guest) Marco muttered.
(Marco! Rachel!) I turned to see Jake, slinking out of the shadows, with the others following him. All of them looked about as I felt. I knew I was still bleeding somewhere. I felt it. It was gushing down over my feet… somewhere…
Tobias landed on a nearby caboose, shaking me back to the current situation.
(We're trying to get Mertil out) Rachel explained. Gafinilan stepped forward, looking worried.
(Is he…)
(I am fine, Gafinilan) Mertil assured him (Though still in this box)
(I will open the truck) He moved to the rear door, facing it.
CLAAANNNGG!!
(Yah!) I yelped from the sheer sound of it. Chanaiben ears, even a male's, are too good for such massive bursts of sound. Yowza!
Gafinilan's blade had punctured the door, and as he drew his blade downwards, creating an even worse sound, I let out a strange Chanaiben noise from within my throat, covering my ears with my hands. Behind me, I heard Cassie's wolf whimpering.
(Very cool) Rachel commented.
(Sure) I muttered (You try having hyper-sensitive ears)
When he was done, Gafinilan stepped back.
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
And then Mertil kicked his way out.