Plain of Sorrows

Author: Milady Dragon

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of value, and since I value Earth 2…well, you get the idea.

Author's notes: Thanks to everyone sticking with me.


Chapter Thirty-Six

"Morgan!" Bess's cry interrupted the fake argument Danziger and Devon had been having.

In unison, they both turned in the direction of the shout; Morgan was running off toward the north, much faster than Danziger would have given him credit for. Then he glanced at Adair, who looked at him at the same time. "That worked," they both said with the same sound of surprise.

Great minds, the mechanic thought, as he and Adair made their way around the side of the Trans Rover. Bess was there, tears starting to gather in her eyes. Devon put her arm around the other woman, comforting her.

"We'll get him back," Danziger promised.

"I know." She tried to smile, and actually managed it. "Just as I knew something was going to happen."

"I'll get us all turned north," Devon said.

John nodded. She would follow the plan, just as he and N'Merra would. "I'll meet you there." He'd be able to get there much faster, relying on the abilities the cat-girl had given him.

He handed Adair his sunglasses; to her credit, she didn't flinch at the sight of his eyes. Danziger began to lope away from the group, surrounded by the remaining cats, N'Merra at his side. He heard Adair shout; knew that Walman was up in the Trans Rover's cockpit, and she'd be getting his attention.

"Mr. Danziger!"

He stopped at the shout. Uly Adair suddenly stepped in front of him, seemingly coming out of nowhere. "Shit, kid!" he swore, "What are you doing?"

"I need to go with you," the boy replied. He looked way too certain of himself.

"You're all gonna meet me at the spaceship."

Uly shook his head. "It'll be too late. I need to go with you now."

He is right, N'Merra said. We need his help, and the timing must be right…

Okay…save everyone, and be murdered by a frantic mother; or lose it all. What a choice…

In a single movement, Danziger grabbed the boy up and slung him over onto his back. "Hold tight, kid," he growled. "It's gonna be a bumpy ride."

Uly's answer was to grab his shoulders, wrapping his legs around the mechanic's waist.

Danziger took off across the plain, following his invisible escorts. The trip wasn't as effortless as it had been before; it wasn't Uly's weight, it was the gradual loss of the enhancements that had been of such use to him on his first journey. He realized he'd be near exhaustion by the time they arrived, but it was a risk he had to take.

They'd discussed it, and N'Merra had been certain that Morgan would be inhibited by his human form, and wouldn't be able to move as swiftly as Danziger himself would. She'd been fairly confident that they could get to the ship before him.

What worried Danziger was the fact that he hadn't seen anyone with Martin. He would have sworn True would've followed…but maybe they hadn't been able to communicate before the man had taken off. If not, though, John was sure his daughter wouldn't be that far behind, once the ghost controlling her realized what was happening.

There was a sudden whisper across his mind, and he turned to N'Merra. We are passing Morgan Martin now, she reported.

Danziger turned; to his left, one of the cat-people stood, waving. He was saying something, and that was the whisper he'd caught. "What about True?" he asked, panting slightly.

She is behind, catching up.

John honestly didn't know whether to be relieved, or scared. If what they'd planned didn't work, he was risking his only child's life…at the least. And his promise to Bess would be a lie. He had way too much respect for the earth-res to disappoint her.

Danziger didn't dare increase his pace. He had to have enough strength left when they arrived at their destination in order to fulfill his mission.

Please let this work… he prayed, not for the first time since the crash.

"When we get there," he spoke over his shoulder, to the boy who clung there, "I'm gonna leave you outside the ship. N'Merra will look after you on the dreamplane."

"Yes, sir," Uly agreed. "I'll be ready."

John believed him. It was easy to. Uly knew what he was talking about, and despite Devon's trying to protect him the kid was strong enough to take care of business.

I shall do everything in my power to make certain he is all right, N'Merra vowed.

John believed her, too.

The rest of us shall accompany you, John Danziger. D'Lorrak loped on the other side, looking far fiercer than the mechanic had ever seen him.

"Do you think there'll be enough power in the ship to do this?"

Oh, yes, my friend. There will be. And the others are aware of what they must do.

"I…I'm sorry it's come to this."

No price is too high, if it means the Changed will no longer be able to threaten anyone else. The cat-man actually snarled. It is not the first time I have attempted to destroy it, after all.

Danziger was silent. Being a person who loved and respected anything mechanical, he truly understood what it had meant for D'Lorrak to try to destroy his beloved ship the first time. Now he'd had centuries to exist within it…it was home to all the cat-people.

We are willing to risk this, N'Merra replied. Even if it means that we, too, will be banished from this plane forever.

Danziger almost stumbled. That was something he hadn't considered, when they'd come up with this plan. It had been accepted that the ship was the anchor that made it possible for the cage to remain tethered to the material world. Destroying that anchor would cut the cage loose, making it impossible for the Changed to ever threaten anyone again.

Do not be concerned for us, John Danziger, the girl said. We have been here too long, I think. Perhaps it is time for us to move on.

He had to remember that these people were dead; had been dead for a very long time. While Danziger wasn't sure what lay beyond, it had to be better than this limbo the cat-people currently inhabited.

"I just…" He didn't know what to say. He decided to concentrate on moving forward. Soon this would be over, in perhaps more ways than one…