Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: I don't own Earth 2…
Author's note: This is most likely going to be my only chapter this week. Easter week is always busy for me, both with work and church. Hope this'll tide you over…
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Uly was amazed at how fast they were moving.
The plain seemed to rush by, as Mr. Danziger carried him toward the buried ship. He knew, somehow, that the cat-people surrounded them, leading them. He really wished he could see them, watch them run through the tall grass. It must be wonderful, and he envied – just a little – that Mr. Danziger could see them.
He hoped he wasn't slowing them down too much. But he knew he had to be with them, if this was to work. He could imagine what sort of fits his mother must be throwing, and suddenly felt very guilty about what he'd done, despite knowing it was the right thing. Mr. Danziger was going to be in such trouble…Uly knew his mom would firmly blame the mechanic for carting her only son off and into danger.
Well, Mom didn't always know best. And she never saw it until it was too late, and she'd already pitched a fit and stepped way over the line. Then she'd have to apologize, and feel all guilty about it…Uly'd seen it way too many times to think it would be different this time.
He'd just have to take the blame and head her off. If she listened to him…
Uly kept his eyes forward, over the man's broad shoulder. Was it his imagination, or was there something up ahead?
Sooner than he would have thought possible, the ground in front of them was rising, forming the odd hump that he'd seen on the dreamplane. He couldn't wait to set foot on the ground, to feel the ship as it lay under the earth. Of course he'd felt it earlier, but that had been from a greater distance. Uly wanted to know what it was like up close. He wanted to lay hands on the disturbance, to know what it did to the planet on which it rested. His fingertips actually itched with that desire.
To his disappointment, Mr. Danziger didn't put him down close enough. "Kid," he said, staring at him intently. His eyes were actually glowing in the setting sun. "Things are gonna get pretty rough around here. I need to be able to trust you. I can, can't I?"
Uly nodded. "Yes, sir."
The man smiled. "Good. Because I don't want you mother reaming me a new one."
The boy smiled in return. He knew exactly what Danziger meant. "I won't let you down," he promised.
"I know you won't. Now, I'm going into the ship. You know what to do, don't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. N'Merra is going to be with you – " He turned to look just over Uly's head, and the boy realized he must be talking to the cat-girl. "Yeah, I know," he said to thin air. "But I need you to do this." He listened for a bit, then nodded. "That's fine." Then he turned his attention back to Uly. "N'Merra is gonna be on the dreamplane, waiting for you. Are you gonna know when it's time?"
"I will."
"Good." Danziger stood. "I'm on my way. Just be ready, okay?" He reached out and ruffled Uly's hair. "Good luck, kid."
"You too, Mr. Danziger."
The mechanic winked, then continued his journey toward the mound leaving Uly alone. He settled down into the tall grass, sitting cross-legged and looking toward the crashed ship. Then he blinked, and crossed over into the dreamplane with an ease that would have startled anyone.
N'Merra was there, along with another cat-woman. This one was red, with silver eyes; she was stout, and acting quite cheerful. "Hello, Uly," N'Merra greeted, smiling sadly.
"Hey, Maire." He stood up, glancing around. The dome of the trap loomed over them.
"This is Rr'Sarrah," she continued, introducing her companion.
"Very good to meet you," the older cat-woman grinned.
"She is here, in case I need to leave to help within the ship," N'Merra supplied. "John Danziger does not think I shall be needed, but I disagree."
"Because of your father," Uly guessed.
"Indeed. If there is difficulty getting him to leave your companion, then I shall make the attempt."
"I'd think Mr. Danziger would want you with him." Uly was puzzled.
"I should, too. However, he trusts me more than the others, and would have me look after you."
"And you trust Rr'Sarrah."
"I do. Her own husband became one of the Changed."
"It was most likely the best thing that could have happened," Rr'Sarrah answered, smiling widely. "I do not miss him at all."
Uly's mouth dropped open in surprise.
Rr'Sarrah chuckled. "Perhaps you shall understand one day, when you are older."
"I'm not sure I want to!"
The older woman actually laughed. "I think you must be right, young one."
"Uly," N'Merra put in, "are you certain you can do this?"
The boy sobered. "Sure I can. All I have to do is separate the trap from the dreamplane at the same time Mr. Danziger explodes your ship. Should be easy enough."
"How do you intend to do this?" Rr'Sarrah was intrigued.
"I…I can't explain it. I just know."
"I understand Uly," the girl said. "In the same way I cannot explain why I still exist even though I am dead."
Rr'Sarrah was nodding in agreement.
Together the three of them headed toward the cage. It was just the same as when Uly had last seen it; the vague figures roiled within, getting more active as they approached. He could feel the power radiating from the dome, like insects crawling over his skin. Its presence bothered him, even though its construction had come from Terrian dreaming techniques. It was time it was gone.
When they got close enough, Uly rested his hand against the dome, feeling for what he'd sensed before. There it was: the joining between the dreamplane and the physical world. He'd never been able to describe it if asked. It was like a tether – although how it worked and why was something the boy couldn't put into words. He just knew it was there, and that there was a way to sever the bond.
Despite his words to Mr. Danziger, he was a little worried that he might not know when the time was right for him to act. Certainly, though, a whacking great explosion on the material plane would make itself known on this one?
"Do not be concerned," N'Merra reassured him, when he brought the subject up. "Those of us with John Danziger will let us know."
Uly was relieved. He stretched out his senses once more, feeling around the tether and how it was connected to both planes. It was really a simple thing, one of the Terrians' most elementary of tricks; it was more akin to how they accessed the dreamplane than anything else. It made sense that the Changed would figure out a way to escape. In fact, Uly thought it would only be a matter of time before any of the others found the way out as well. Best to break the connection before that happened.
"Oh!"
He glanced up at N'Merra's exclamation. The cat-girl looked stunned. "What's wrong?" he asked urgently.
"Something is happening within the ship. I must go. Rr'Sarrah will stay with you." With that, N'Merra winked out.
He turned to the other woman. "What is it?"
Rr'Sarrah had a puzzled look on her pleasant, furry face. "I cannot tell, young one. But we must be ready. It shall be any time now."
Time had no meaning on the dreamplane, so Uly had no real idea how long they'd been there. But he trusted Rr'Sarrah, in the same way he trusted N'Merra. He waited, his eyes and senses wide open.
And when the sign came, he was ready.
