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At 2155 hours

Thursday 13th May

CASSIE

I had just started to close my eyes, when Jake entered the room and collapsed on the bed

"Did you find anything?" I asked, half asleep

"Nothing. The only weak spots are the windows and even they're not weak," Jake answered, "they're not in areas where we can cause a huge amount of damage"

"Anything else?"

I rolled over and looked at him. He was staring at the ceiling

"Ax found something, which he told us on the way back"

"And?"

"David does have an army. About one hundred and fifty to about two hundred Chatrè-Controllers, all that's left of the old race and about thirty Howlers"

I thought this over

"How are we going to fight against that?"

"We fight, of course, unless we use the fortress' weapons"

He looked at me, as if he had just got an idea

"I've got it. We drew them out and blast them with the weapons"

"Are you saying we're going to war soon?"

"We're gonna have to, got no choice. We've got twelve days left and we can battle them midday tomorrow"

He had propped himself onto his elbows when he told me this. I could see that his eyes were glittering with excitement

"Jake, are you sure, without proper word and who's gonna man the guns?" I asked

"Melissa and Ashley can. They can't morph, but I'm sure they can use the weapons"

"What happens if David brings the entire army out?"

"That's the idea. And we can use the guns on them, while we pretend to retreat. It'll boost David's ego and make him chase us"

"If the guns are used and my sons are out there, I don't want them getting hurt or killed by our own guns!" I said

I had sat up, looking down into Jake's eyes. He leaned closer and hugged me

"Cassie, I'll be there and you'll be there. We'll look after Sam and John. Besides, they've fought against Crayak. It'll be fine"

But I wasn't so sure and even though Jake had his arms around me, I still didn't feel any better. I mean, any mother would be worried about her children when they go to war. I'm sure Tobias and Rachel would worry about it, since Adam and Leah were both strong and Tori wasn't far behind

Jake laid down and fell asleep. I snuggled up to him and closed my eyes. I decided to talk to Rachel about it in the morning

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At 0810 hours

Friday 14th May

I woke up and found that Jake was gone. Rubbing my eyes, I got out of bed and went downstairs, before entering the meeting room. Jake, Ax in human morph, Tobias, Adam and Sam already there, planning something

I went to the kitchen and made myself some breakfast, before going to the table and eating. Sam came over and sat down

"Did you know we're going to war today?" he asked

I nodded and ate another spoonful

"What's the plan?" I asked

"We're all gonna go out in battle morphs, while Tobias and Ax will draw David out. We fight for a bit, then run, while Ashley and Melissa blast them down"

"What morph are you using?"

"I was thinking rhino, but its blind, there is the Berzerx morph and also the cheetah"

"Which is better?"

"The cheetah is faster, but-"

"Use the cheetah, we'll need speed," I interrupted

I looked up when Rachel entered the room and collapsed on the lounge, her head on Tobias' lap. He stroked her hair lovingly, while talking to Jake

"Hey, Rachel, can you come over here?" I called out

Rachel glared at me, but got up and came over anyway. Sam left the table, as she dropped down into a chair

"What do you want?" she asked sleepily

"I'm concerned about this upcoming battle today," I started, "and I'm worried about Sam and John. I mean, what if they get hit by our own weapons or if they get killed"

"Cassie, calm down. You only have two children to worry about. I've got three and one of them is already like me, which I'm afraid of," Rachel reassured

"I'm worried, because I have to fight and think about them at the same time"

"You're forgetting something. If these guys can fight against Crayak and win, then this will be no problem. Sam is nineteen and John is fifteen. They can handle themselves. If they lost against Crayak, we wouldn't be here. So don't worry anymore"

I sighed and look away, over at Sam, who was joking around with Adam

"Just take your mind off it and you'll be fine. They'll be fine, you'll see"

"Thanks Rachel"

She grinned and went back to Tobias, while I went over to Jake and cuddled up to him

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