Chapter 20: The Valley of Death

"What now?" Clara asked panting, "How do we take them out?"

"Depends, how much ammo do we have left?" Daze was sprawled out on the floor staring up into the ceiling.

"I have quite a bit," Clara said, indicating the bandoliers on her body, "But I don't know about the others."

"We have six hammerburst magazines," Susan commented from the doorway, "Two lancer clips, whatever Justin has for his shotgun, and three clips for your rifle plus any extra cartridges you got floating around."

"So not enough for a prolonged fight huh?" Daze leaned his head back against the floor. "Well, I guess I'll try and draw them off."

"Again?" Clara was exasperated. "How many times are you going to do this?"

"Just once more," Daze said without flinching, "Besides, I'm the only one who knows how to ride the motorcycle."

"Oh." Clara looked at the ground dejectedly.

Daze rose from the ground and walked to the doorway that led into the room where everyone had gathered. Holly's body still lay on the mattress in the center of the room. Daze walked up to Jordan and clasped hands with him.

"It's been fun." Daze was quiet and subdued.

"Yeah man," Jordan looked at the ground then raised his eyes to Daze's, "See you soon."

Daze held his gaze a moment longer then released his hand and walked to Jack and Jet.

"It's been quite an honor to make your acquaintance," Daze said as he held out his hand.

"The honor's been mine." Jack said as he took Daze's hand and firmly shook it.

"Yeah man, you've been really cool!" Jet said as he forwent Daze's outstretched hand and gave him a hug.

"Okay?" Daze smiled at Jet's enthusiastic response.

Daze let go of Jet and looked down at Holly's motionless form. He squatted down next to her and ran his fingers through her hair.

"I'm so sorry," He whispered as he tucked a loose curl of hair behind her ear, "It was my fault."

Daze got up and walked to Susan.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked as she embraced him.

"It has to be done," Daze held his friend close.

"But can't it be done some other way?"

"I'm the only one who doesn't have someone waiting for me," Daze said as he looked into her eyes, "No one will be heartbroken if I'm gone."

"Not…quite…" Came a feeble voice from the mattress.

"Sis!" Jet exclaimed as he rushed over to his sister, "You're alive!"

Jack rushed to her side as well, kneeling next to her.

"Just what are you saying?" Daze asked with a sly smile in his eye.

"Just…please come back," Holly gave Daze a pained wink then fell back on the mattress. She pointed to an old lantern on a crate, "Take it, it was Dio's. I grabbed it when she was shot just in case she wanted it back."

"Thank you." Daze locked eyes with Holly once more then grabbed the lantern and walked out the door that led into the garage. He gave Justin a hug and then did the same to Clara.

"What if you don't come back?" Clara asked as she looked up into his eyes.

Daze let her question linger as he bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

"You've always been the twin sister I never had," Daze wiped the tears from her cheek, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Why don't I believe you?" She sniffed as she buried her head in his shoulder.

"I may be only human," Daze whispered in her ear, "But I am a beast!"

"And a dork!" Clara laughed through the tears and squeezed Daze tighter then smiled as she looked him in the eye. "See ya."

Daze released Clara and moved to his motorcycle. He clipped the lantern on the bike then grabbed the goggles from his pocket that he had taken from the locust body. He pulled them on and rested them on his forehead.

"Everyone come out here quick," He spoke into the room where the others were sitting, "Susan, tell everyone how much ammo they can use then everyone get ready."

"One clip at most," She said as she walked into the room, "Why? What are you thinking?"

"Get ready," Daze pulled his goggles on as he straddled the motorcycle and pulled it back into the open in front of the door, "I want you to cover me as I go."

Everyone filed into the room and got their weapons ready. They took cover behind boxes and other random junk.

"Jack?" Daze asked as he turned the key and flipped out the kick-bar, "How do I get to Lethia from here?"

"Just follow Loyalty highway till you get to exit forty-seven." Jack pondered for a moment, "I think you take a right after that but it might be a left, either you'll hit the imulsion facility or the town itself. Why?"

"I want a place to go when the kryll come out."

"There aren't as many up in the mountains but they'll find anything and swarm it."

"Don't they always. I have Dio's lantern just incase," Daze patted the lantern at his side then kick started the motorcycle. "You guys ready?"

Susan gave him the thumbs up as she patted the boomshot's large clip then grabbed something from her belt tossed it to Daze. Daze looked down at the smoke grenade and smiled. He looked around the room and got nods and thumbs up from all of his friends.

Daze choked up. He looked around the room one more time as the engine idled. This could be the end. Daze pulled the radio from his ear and tossed it to Clara. "You'll need it!" He mouthed as he revved the engine. She nodded back and the turned toward the door.

"Now!" Daze shouted to Justin who waited by the door.

Justin threw the door open then dove for cover as a spike tipped tentacle flew into the garage.

The teens opened fire and two locust went falling to the ground as a reaver flew off, rider less, into the sky. Another reaver dropped to the ground and a drone started to fire it's machinegun into the garage.

A boom sounded next to Daze and he watched as the reaver exploded, sending blood and chunks of flesh splattering along the ground.

Daze released the clutch and shot out of the garage. He noticed a reaver perched on one of the roofs, then saw out of the corner of his eye as the driver was hit by a sniper round. Daze didn't look back as he went out the gate to the orphanage and flew off down the road towards Loyalty highway.

He turned and went up the entrance ramp as bullets shattered the pavement around him. Daze looked back and noticed that only one of the reavers was following him.

The Grenadier, Daze thought, Now I just have to find a way to kill him!

Daze slowed down slightly but sped up again as a large explosion shattered the pavement right behind him.

Crap! He thought as he struggled for control, I hope he doesn't have too many of those!

Daze regained control and headed down the highway towards an overpass. He wondered why the locust wasn't keeping up a constant fire on him. Wouldn't it keep firing in hopes of hitting him? Then Daze realized that when Clara had taken out the driver it had forced the Grenadier to pilot the beast and no longer shoot. How had it fired then?

Daze drew his revolver then leaned back and took a shot at the reaver. Neither the pilot or reaver so much as flinched.

This is gonna be a long ride! Daze thought to himself. He watched as mile marker twelve flew past. Daze's thoughts floated between his current predicament and the memories of his friends. He hoped that he would see them again, though hope was all he could afford at the moment.

Daze settled in for the long grind as he flew off down the road.

* * * *

The fist pounded on the door for the third time in as many minutes. What if they had left? The thought flew through Daze's mind, What if they're dead? Where will I go?

Alone, desperate, and only fourteen, Daze turned from the door and stepped down into a harsh world. A world he knew he wouldn't come back from. The memory of his father gripped at his throat as hopelessness began to claw it's way into his soul. He was about to collapse on the stoop to cry when a sound from behind stopped him.

"Daze!" Justin shouted as he rushed from the doorway and hugged him. "What are you doing here man?"

Daze sunk to the ground in relief as his friend clutched at him.

"Dude?" Justin said as he struggled to keep Daze off the ground, "You all right?"

Daze turned around and returned his friends hug.

"How's your dad?" Justin asked in a subdued tone.

Daze pulled back from his friend then reached down and pulled the Cog tags from his shirt.

"I'm sorry man." Justin stepped back leaned against the doorway. He slid down it to the ground and put a hand to his face. Veritas had been the main father figure for the orphans. He brought treats for the girls whenever he found some and played thrashball in the back with the boys. He had also help out with the orphanage whenever Maria had been down on funds.

The teens all thought that Maria and Veritas should get married, but they never did. There wasn't even a hint of romance, though the occasional harmless flirting did occur.

Justin rested his hands on his knees as he remembered the man who could easily have been his own father.

"I'm gonna miss him." Daze said as he walked over and held out his hand to Justin.

"Yeah, me too." Justin grasped Daze's arm and pulled himself up, "We better get inside, there'll be a lot of people happy to see you."

* * * *

The reaver swooped in close and jabbed a tentacle at Daze. He swerved around a car and saw the spike puncture the roof. The reaver nearly stopped as it circled around the car trying to pull it's tentacle free.

At least I get a breather, Daze thought as he gunned the motorcycle and shot ahead into an open stretch of road. Daze could just make out mile marker twenty-five as he flew down the highway.

* * * *

"Daze!" Clara squealed as she rushed to him and hugged him, "You're back! Is your dad here too?"

"No," Daze said quietly, "But I'm here to stay."

"Ohhhhhh," Clara's eyes softened, "Now I'm sad!"

"Don't be," Daze said as he smiled, albeit weakly, "I've made my peace."

"Well that's good," Clara immediately shed the veil of saddness and was her chipper, perky self again, "So! What do you want to hear about first?"

"What is there to hear about?"

"Well Jordan and Susan are pretty much engaged!"

"What?" Daze laughed in surprise, "They had barely met when I left, and it hasn't even been a year!"

"That's what we've all been saying!" Clara laughed.

"Hey!" A voice rang out from the kitchen, "Who's that I hear out there?"

"No one Maria," Clara giggled a little then put her hand to her mouth as she called, "Just the prodigal son!"

"You're kidding!" Maria burst through the door then leaned against the wall, drying a plate with a look of satisfaction "So, you here to stay?"

"Yeah." Daze was beginning to catch everyone's enthusiasm, a smile was even creeping over his face, "I should be here for good."

"Then I take it you father…"

Daze nodded.

"He was a good man," Maria said solemnly, "A great man. Sera could use more like him."

"Thanks, that means a lot to me."

"It's the truth, nothing more or less," Maria turned to enter the kitchen but stopped a moment, "Justin, get Daze set up with you and Jordan."

"Yes Ma'am!" Justin said as Maria pushed through the door back into the kitchen.

"So," Clara picked up just where she left off, "Justin and I are "dating" if you can call it that, there's a new girl named Mercy and…"

Daze's heart sunk as he smiled and nodded. The world had just grown heavier and he could feel it's weight crushing him into the dust. Daze looked away from Clara's eyes, he couldn't stand to right now lest his own eyes give away his feelings.

"Are you alright Daze?" Clara stopped mid-sentence.

"I'm kinda tired," Daze said as he took a deep breath to calm himself, "And everything is just happening so fast, I think I need a nap or something."

"We'll bring you upstairs, get you set up in your room," Justin said as he shouldered Daze's bag and headed for the steps.

Daze got up and followed Justin. Clara came beside Daze and wrapped an arm around him.

"It's good to have you back Daze!" She said as she leaned her head and shoulder into him.

"It's good to be back." Daze said as he walked up the stairs after Justin.

* * * *

Daze opened his eyes. Trees rose high around him, sunlight filtering in from high above. Where was he?

He had taken exit forty-seven and then turned right, he remembered that much. But why was he lying on the ground and where was his motorcycle?

A shadow passed across his face. Daze rolled immediately as the reaver struck. The tentacle stuck in the ground, was retracted, then shot at him again. Daze dodged then ran out from under the beast and ducked behind a tree. Bullets embedded in it's bark as the Grenadier fired it's heavy pistol.

Daze drew his revolver and peeked out from behind the tree. The reaver seemed to be looking for him while the Grenadier held it's aim steady. It fired just as Daze pulled his head back.

Daze remembered what had happened. He had turned right with the reaver following close behind him only to find himself on an old road that seemed more like a path. He had looked back and saw that the Grenadier was about to fire the reaver's rocket. He turned around and tensed himself to get control of the bike when it shot. The Grenadier's shot had been in front of him so all Daze had done was get ready to ride through a crater, but when he emerged from the smoke, an old junker was right in front of him.

I probably shouldn't have jammed on the brakes so hard, Daze thought as he rubbed his head, At least I wasn't out too long.

An explosion shattered the tree trunk sent Daze to the ground, ears ringing. The reaver appeared over Daze again and he struggled to roll away this time. The tentacle struck just behind him when Daze reached out and grabbed hold of it. The reaver jerked it back and Daze was on his feet and running towards the motorcycle. He pulled the smoke grenade from his pocket and tossed it just in front of him.

There was a small explosion and then the smoke enveloped him. He reached the bike and pulled it up as the Grenadier roared with anger from behind him.

Daze started the motorcycle and turned up a small path, hoping to loose the reaver in between the trees.

He looked back and could see the reaver just disappearing from sight.

Daze gunned the engine as the terrain started to rise. He scanned the woods for any break in the foliage. Up ahead he could see the ground rising as the flat woods gave way to a hill or mountain.

The woods were beginning to thin and Daze could see open sky ahead of him. He made for a small break in the brush and then burst out into the fading sunlight. The grassy field inclined gently up and up till Daze could see the "peak" of the mountain, though it wasn't much of a mountain. Ahead he saw what looked like huge boulder, almost like a slab of rock that had fallen from the mountain and now sat as a huge table, one fit to entertain giants.

Daze made for this as he looked back to see if the Grenadier had followed him.

Daze was on the brink of hope when the reaver rose from the trees below and began to scan the surrounding area.

"Ah crap!" Daze muttered to himself as the reaver shot towards him. He had a good head start but the reaver was faster and it didn't have to worry about bumps in the ground. If Daze beat it to the rocks, it wouldn't be by much.

Daze shifted into high gear and rode straight for the rocks. As he drew nearer he realized that it wasn't a rock at all, but an old fort or castle made of stone.

Actually, it looked too small to be a castle. Daze saw from a distance that it wasn't all that tall, mostly just long except for a tower that rose from one of the corners. The walls looked like they were little higher than fifteen feet, if that.

Daze looked back over his shoulder to see how close the reaver was but was distracted by the beauty of the scene before him. He realized how high up he was when he could just make out the tips of the buildings of Jacinto. He could see a town here, a ruined highway there, but most of it was comprised of rolling hills of grass and even farther away, the desert plains stretching into the distance.

A burst of gunshots brought him back to the present. He looked and saw that the Grenadier was closing in but not quite fast enough to beat him to the fort. Daze gunned the engine for the last fifty or so yards then braked as responsibly as he could and hopped off the motorcycle. He hit the ground, rolled, and was up on his feet and running into a hole in the wall.

Daze found himself in a dark room. Light filtered in from a doorway at the other end. Daze made his way towards it. He went through the doorway and found himself in another room, this one with windows that let in the rapidly receding light.

Daze ran out of the room and into a courtyard. He could see other openings into the wall that looked to be rooms or lodgings, and also noticed a keep or blockhouse in the middle for defensive stands. Daze ran to a flight of stairs and made his way up them two at a time. He found himself on the wall, looking out over the plain.

He searched rapidly for the reaver. It was nowhere in sight. Then with a burst of bullets, it came diving out of the sun straight for him. It swooped in and landed in the courtyard, striking and attacking with it's long tentacles. Daze pulled out his knife and struck at one of the tentacles as it flew past him. He swung the knife down into the tentacle and the tip went skittering along the ground. The reaver screeched in pain as it struck at him again. Daze dodged it and went running for the edge of the wall. He leapt from the edge as the Grenadier raised it's pistol to fire. Daze held the knife over his head and brought it down towards the locust's neck. The Grenadier raised it's arm to block Daze but the knife still managed to slip in between the cracks of it's gauntlet and into its arm.

The Grenadier roared with rage as it swung it's free arm to knock Daze from the reaver.

As Daze fell to the ground, the real object of his attack came free and he landed and rolled in front of the reaver.

Daze pulled the pin from the grenade and held it ready. The reaver growled and hissed at Daze as he stood in front of it, knife in one hand, grenade in the other.

The reaver suddenly opened it's mouth and charged. Daze took the grenade and shoved it into the reaver's mouth and dove inside one of the rooms in the wall. He heard the grenade beep and then an explosion rocked the fort. Blood along with chunks of flesh flew through the door and landed against the opposite wall. Daze stood up and looked for the Grenadier. He saw a pile of red armor along with the shield that it had used.

Daze rushed for it to make sure that it was dead. He stepped up to it and was about to fire his pistol when a hand flew from what had looked like a pile of remains and struck Daze in the chest. Daze flew backward as the locust rose and walked toward him with a look of hatred and malice.

It's shield was on it's arm and the pistol was in it's right hand. It roared as it charged Daze. Daze struggled to his feet and was only just able to dodge the swing of the shield. He ducked as it came swinging across his head. Daze buried his knife in the Grenadier's exposed back and then jumped out of the way as it swung the shield back again.

The locust roared in pain and held the shield in front of it. With a metallic clink, the shield opened up and covered the locust's body. Daze dove for cover as the pistol bucked in the Grenadier's hand. Bullets kicked up dust and stone all around him as he ran behind the corner of the blockhouse.

The locust fired three more bursts and then stopped. Daze peered around the corner to see the locust reloading the pistol. Daze leapt from cover and ran towards the Grenadier. He drew his revolver and tried to get around it so he could land a shot, but the locust just kept turning with him, slowly and methodically reloading it's own pistol. Daze tried to make a cut back and get the locust's momentum to give him just enough room to get a shot, but when he planted his foot it shot out from under him on a patch of gravel and he fell to the ground.

It saved his life.

The locust fired at the same moment and the bullets flew over Daze's head glancing harmlessly off the rocks behind. The Grenadier roared with rage as it collapsed it's shield and ran for Daze who was lying motionless on the ground. Daze spun over and fired a hasty shot at the locust. The shot struck the locust in the side but did little to kill it. Instead, it caused the Grenadier to reopen his shield and advance slowly towards Daze, planning to finish him off.

Daze aimed carefully and fired a shot. It hit the locust in the shin and cut through flesh and bone causing the bone to slip out of place and crash into the ground, leaving the severed foot standing upright on the ground.

Daze hopped up and rushed around the locust's right side but dove inside a low window when it fired another burst from it's pistol.

Daze looked up over the sill at the Grenadier. The locust stared back at him, unflinching. With a great heave, it lifted the shield high over it's head then slammed it down into the ground. It pulled it's shattered left leg in front of it's body and rested it's weight on it's right. The locust trained the pistol on Daze, though it didn't fire.

Daze looked about for some way to kill it. He would have to waste it's ammo to be able to run out into the open, then if he could just get to that column…

A burst from the pistol forced Daze to duck again. There's two shots. Daze thought as he drew his own revolver. He fired a couple shots over the window sill but heard them ricochet harmlessly of the shield.

Daze looked out again. It stood there, same as before, watching him patiently.

Daze jumped up over the window sill and immediately dove left. A burst of bullets shattered the stone around him but he escaped un hit. The Grenadier grunted and lifted the shield from the ground. It stumbled as the bone of it's left foot lost it's grip on the hard stone ground, but it caught itself with the shield.

The locust tried to train it's pistol on Daze, but a large broken column came between it and Daze.

Daze saw the column and the piece of it that was lying at the foot of the larger piece. Daze turned and ran for it. He stepped on the first one and jumped to the second, then with a great leap, he pulled his legs up towards his chest then extended them in an inverted back flip. Time seemed to slow as Daze looked "up" and came face to face with the Grenadier. He saw the scar that marked it's eye. Saw it's cracked, ugly skin, and saw it's grisly, bloody teeth pulled into a fierce snarl.

And then Daze extended his pistol and shot the Locust.

The bullet entered through the forehead, traveled down it's spine, and exited from it's lower back as Daze carried the back flip through, landed with a roll and came up. He turned hesitantly and saw the locust's body sprawled out along the ground.

Daze fell to his knees and sat in silence as the sun disappeared under the horizon. He was spent. Every last ounce of emotional and physical strength had been used up in the last two days and now all he wanted was sleep.

He rose from the ground and walked to the locust and picked up it's shield. It was nearly too heavy for him to carry, especially in his weakened state. Daze stooped and grabbed the pistol. He was about to grab the ammo when he realized that he'd have to spend the night here.

And then panic took him. Daze dropped the shield and pistol and ran for the motorcycle. He thought he could hear the Kryll as they swirled and swooped through the sky. He started to sweat as he searched for the same hole he had entered through, but it was far too dark to recognize anything in the fort.

No! He thought. Not after everything that's happened!

Daze ran to the wall and then ran the length of the fort. Dusk was ending and darkness was setting in as Daze saw a light erupt from the surface near Timgad but his fear pushed it from his mind. Any moment the kryll would burst from their fissures and tear him to pieces.

"No!" Daze shouted desperately, "Not like this!"

Then he saw his bike. He jumped from the wall and hit the ground hard. He hadn't thought to roll but did anyway as his momentum carried him into the dirt. Daze struggled up and started to crawl. His hands slipped out from under him and he fell, hitting his head on a rock. He rolled over as his head started to spin then saw the clouds envelope him.

Then Daze slipped from the world.

* * * *

Daze entered the room behind Justin. He had been here many times before, back when he had lived next to the orphanage with his father.

"This will be your bed!" Justin said cheerily as he tossed Daze's bag on the bed.

"Sweet." Daze was a little less enthusiastic.

"I know!" Clara said cheerfully, "Do you want us to get Susan and Jordan for you?"

"How about you let me sleep till dinner time." Daze said as he pulled his bag from the bed.

"Okay then!" Clara and Justin walked from the room, "I'll get you when the food is ready. Later!"

Clara shut the door. Daze didn't know why he felt this way, but he knew that he desperately needed the rest. He walked to the bed and flung himself down onto it. Almost immediately sleep took him. Not fitful, violent sleep. But soothing, restful, rejuvenating slumber.

* * * *

"Wake up Daze!" Clara's voice echoed through his mind. "It's time to wake up, Jordan and Susan want to say hi!"

Daze opened his eyes. The room was gone, and nothing of the dark night remained. He stared at the bright morning sky for a few minutes then rolled over. His head ached and was slightly bloody, his shoulder was also stiff but he didn't feel anything else out of place, except for the dull pain that throbbed throughout his body.

Daze looked about him. There was the motorcycle, and the lantern was there exactly where he had left it.

"But…" Daze looked into the sky confused, "But what about the Kryll?"

Daze wondered what might have happened. Maybe they wouldn't have noticed him lying there motionless. Whatever it was Daze was thankful. He was alive. He was healthy, sort of. And He would be able to make it back to the orphanage without too much trouble.

Daze walked over to his motorcycle and picked it up. He started it and revved the engine a few times.

"Well," He sighed as he pulled on his goggles, "It's been quite a ride."

Daze gunned the engine and shot off down the hill towards home with yell of joy.