The Court Martial – Chapter 3

The Command Center hummed with activity as technicians engaged in heightened surveillance, voices talking over one another as every nuance of movement outside of the city visualized by surveillance cameras took on its own importance. Eliana stood at parade rest near the wall which extended across the back of the room streaming multiple camera views on the expansive screen. Levi's demanding gaze should have drawn her full attention, but her thoughts struggled to align as her mind was being yanked by an unrelenting magnetic pull toward the Medical Center. Levi's curt statement that he had no updates to share only intensified her desire to run to the elevator banks and bang at the buttons until she was moving downward to where Pete lay—alive, he had to be alive. She needed to hear his deep throated chuckle and see that snarky grin that spread across his handsome face into his soulful eyes that shot straight into her chest and filled her with a sense of warmth that proclaimed, 'I could love this man.' Seeing him sprawled in the sand, his hands red with his own blood as fear choked her into immobility struck her in the face yelling, 'Too late. You already do.'

And where were you when he needed you?

After Zeke left with Pete in his arms, her team had remained at the crater for over three hours gathering forensics of the attack: soil samples, rock samples, blood samples—Pete's blood—the white substance which presumably meant Pete was able to damage one of the robot sonsofbitches. Detailed photographs and assorted hardware casings all gave an early analysis of just what happened while she lay on her ass in the dirt while one of her team was removed and another was left struggling to survive.

Once they had picked up each piece of evidence and conducted every possible on-site test Gabe and Josh could devise, they packed back into Harriet. As she suspected, they did return hopping over sand dunes at ridiculous speeds, not for Pete's entertainment but at her command—and need to be back in Alba. Eliana had intended to go straight to the Medical Center, but as soon as they came into range, her link bracelet communicated Levi's expressed order to report to Command and only Command when they returned to the city.

She held her eyes closed for a moment to order their findings into a coherent verbal report. When she returned to the room, Levi's piercing eyes were locked onto her, but a very slight, brief grin sent a message of reassurance that helped her find a starting point.

"The general consensus suggests that approximately 20 minutes after our arrival at the crater, the team was struck with a wide spectrum stun blast as all were affected with the exception of Burke who had remained within the hovercraft to complete maintenance of the steering mechanism. This would further support that the blast was purposely focused on the crater and its immediate vicinity as the hover was stationed some 25 yards distant. While unconscious, the team was relocated to a single position on the west side of the crater where Virdon had been stationed and where Burke was later located.

"Upon discovery, while he remained conscious, Burke communicated that the attack came from the Kirtland androids. This was confirmed…"

Levi held up his hand causing Eliana to pause. "I want these details; however, include them in your report. What I need right now is your conjecture. The Kirtland action appears to be deliberate. Why?"

Eliana allowed her eyes to stare at one of the security crew talking animatedly to another over Levi's shoulder. She stared, but her gaze was not focused as she considered the question. After a moment, her brown eyes returned to Levi. "Deliberate yes, but the intention was not deadly force. Burke would have been in stun array had he not remained with the hovercraft. We were incapacitated. They could have killed all of us yet, other than Burke, only minor injuries were sustained. The evidence supports that Pete did engage them. Whether he threw the first punch or the androids, we'll have to ask him. He was injured in the encounter, but evidence supports that he inflicted damage on them as well. Based on his location and the trail from the scene, it does not appear that they pursued him. Tracks and other physical evidence suggest five of them were in the assault party. If they wanted us dead, we'd be dead."

"A test of our offensive and defensive capabilities? A poke to see what our response might be?"

"The former perhaps, but they did not remove or destroy any of our weapons nor is there evidence to suggest they attempted to enter or damage the hovercraft. A poke to get our response seems less plausible. If Burke had not avoided the stunner, we wouldn't have known it was them."

"And Virdon is missing. Presumably taken by the androids," the security chief stated.

"Burke was emphatic about that. One of the few things he said before he lost consciousness. And the additional evidence we gathered would support that."

"Is Alan still alive?" Levi crossed his arms as he considered alternatives.

"Best guess, yes, sir."

"Why? A ploy perhaps? To pull us back to the base? Knowing we would come for Alan?"

"It is hard to assume the thought process of a robot. Unless Pete can tell us something, we are only guessing at their motivation," Eliana pointed out.

"Again, why Alan? It could be because they were able to exert some level of influence over him before and wished to gather intelligence about us."

"I discount that, sir. If intel on the city was desired, they would have picked a native Alban, likely one of the angels. Most likely Zeke. They knew from the last encounter of his significance within the city hierarchy. They knew Alan and Pete had been in Alba for only a short time."

"Why only Alan?" Levi pressed.

"Sir, it's unknown if only Alan was to be taken. Pete disrupted their plans by avoiding the stun blast and then putting up resistance. Since he was the only one to interact with them, he does have knowledge that will be informative to the investigation. I need to interview him…."

Levi interrupted once more. "Eliana, I understand you wish to check on your crew, but I need you to complete your report—now—while all the details are clear," he gestured toward an open computer station. "Or you may use the enclosed stations," he pointed to one area of the room with three stations surrounded by the transparent aluminum used throughout the city. "You can complete a written, or if you prefer, audio recording, but I need your comprehensive report before you leave Command. Both Zeke and Galen are with Pete. Miriam is providing me with regular updates. As of last report, he remains unconscious. His condition is stable but critical until they can determine the nature of the toxin used on the blade. He is receiving the best care we have to offer. You are needed here."

Eliana felt the world spin when the words 'critical' and 'toxin' reached her. She blinked rapidly to keep the threat of tears out of her eyes. She gave a curt nod and started toward the private workstation to allow her a moment to gather her thoughts in order to complete her assigned task. Levi placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, stopping her as she passed.

"El, we are all concerned about both Alan and Pete's welfare. I will use every resource at my disposal to do whatever is necessary to help them," Levi assured her.

"Thank you, Levi. Please know that I am ready to do whatever is necessary, including leading a return to Kirtland to retrieve Virdon."

"Well," the security chief's eyes glinted as he told her, "They tried to keep him once. They won't succeed this time either."

xXxXxXx

Galen's deep grunts caused Miriam to look up from Pete's IV as she increased the dosage of his pain medications based on the readings from his monitor and that brought her gaze to Zeke's deepening frown. She followed his stare as he scowled out the door at Raziel's soft chuckles, his face beaming as he studied the screen of one of the bioanalyzers that had been positioned outside of Pete's room in the designated waiting area of the suite. She advised Galen and Zeke that she would call immediately if there were any change in his condition and encouraged them to get something to eat but both declined. She tagged the door plate as she left causing it to slide shut.

"Raziel," she crossed her arms as she positioned herself in front of the angel who stood about her height, "I certainly understand the need for healers to maintain objectivity with our patients but show some sensitivity and keep your euphoria to yourself when around critical patients and their families."

The angel cocked his head with a sneer saying, "I hardly need you to advise me how to behave around patients, Miriam."

"It seems I do since your lack of tact is causing even more distress in a situation that hardly needs additional turmoil. You know what Zeke has been through…."

"I am well aware of the relationship Ezekial shared with Jedadiah and the difficulty of his passing. We were never close, but he was a valued colleague. I feel his loss, too." Raziel sniffed and returned his attention to the screen.

"And at this point," Miriam increased her volume slightly, "we are unable to give Zeke any assurances about Pete's condition so you will avoid giving the appearance that you are making light of it. It's a simple matter of closing the door."

"Fine. Report me to my supervisor," Raziel scoffed.

"I am your supervisor, and you will…," Miriam's voice grew hard.

"Acting supervisor," the angel interrupted again, "and you could just as easily be answering to me when the Council decides to appoint the Head of Medical. I expect it will be soon. Sheloshim for Jedediah, 30 days, has recently passed after all."

"…treat our patients and me with respect. Not negotiable, Raziel," Miriam refused to be talked over.

"How about a little respect from you, Miriam. Instead of taking issue with my mood, perhaps you should ask the rational for my enthusiasm." The blonde healer rolled her eyes in response. "The patient's DNA has the entity confused," Raziel went on with his answer.

"Entity?"

"We know it is more than a simple inanimate compound and is a living infiltrate attacking the host although the exact physiology of the toxin remains a mystery so it's as good a designation as any. Our scans reveal that the entity is confused by our time traveler. His DNA differs enough from the current population that it seems to be stymied about how to attack the cells. It was raised to eat carrots and it is being served corn. Actually, more disparate than that, corned beef. I do believe it will adapt as it continues to spread; however, it does provide us with time. In a day where there has been little of it, I thought some good news was worth some 'euphoria.'"

Miriam face softened as her arms dropped. "Perhaps you can share your findings with Zeke and Galen. I agree, they could use something positive about now."

"Be happy to," Raziel pushed past her with a sarcastic grin.

"Raziel," Miriam grabbed his arm before he pressed the door open. "Don't exaggerate these findings. You know Pete remains in very critical condition and we don't have many ideas on how to treat him."

"Speak for yourself, acting lead healer," the angel pulled away from her. "I love a mystery and have every intention of finding my way through this one."

xXxXxXx

The smoke left a pleasant taste in the back of Grul's throat. He drew deep on the hollow bone bringing a stick from his fire to the hash laden bowl carved from the joint of the beesin: large wooly creatures that had carved a niche for themselves in the harsh climate providing countless materials including meat, clothing, and pipes to the desert dwellers. The laughter of the young chasing one another in a game of hunt near his yurt as the sun left the sky provided him one of the joys of his life. The Keeper of the Prophecy did not share his yurt with a family. Nor had the spirits guided the next Keeper to his tent so that training could begin. Instead, he relaxed in the sound of the young and the promise of the continued strength of the Rephaim.

As usual, young Farsha idled nearby, her eyes darting away whenever he looked in her direction. She had a special love of The Prophecies. He had seen her gather younglings chased from their fires by their exhausted mothers to tell them the stories. She had entered her ninth year and would soon leave innocence behind as the demands of a nomadic life required all able hands to provide for the tribe. Not for the first time, Grul wondered how this new life outside the walls of Paradise would alter the world they had lived in for three centuries. He took a deep breath, inhaling the smoke and expelling it in ringed puffs. Tonight was not the night to trouble himself over such things. Other matters intruded as Misha approached.

"Grul, you asked for me?" The spent look in the gorilla's eyes carried into his voice.

"Misha. Please sit. Share a pipe with me. I would hear of your day."

The debate was obvious in his face as Misha considered conversation over sleep but he lowered himself to the colorful pillows spread in front of the Keeper's yurt. He leaned back with a sad sigh. Grul glanced at Farsha who rolled a cloth ball between her feet moving closer to his fire. Misha accepted the pipe and dragged deep on the stem before he spoke.

"This was a day that the story tellers love to share around the comfort of the fire, but the ape who must live it returns with nothing but scars." Misha returned the pipe after a long exhale of smoke.

Grul repacked the pipe with a blend of yellow and brown leaves, aware but not acknowledging, that Farsha now knelt near his pillows drawing in the dirt with her fingers.

"Do you sense the Shedim are preparing to swarm? The Trek of the Hunter has completed almost ten turns since they last rose out of their nests in the ancient ruins." Grul waved the pipe toward the graying sky, its colors a blend of red and orange to the west.

"It is not against the mindlessness of the Shedim that we need to prepare our weapons, but the stealth of the Not-Men that take no breath yet cloak themselves in the skin of the Emim," Misha warned. "This was a planned attack. They waited for our arrival and took us out of the battle before we knew it had even begun. Like the sand spider, the trap was easy to see after it was sprung. And like the spider, its bite was sharp."

Grul passed the pipe to Misha after his draw. "The fallen?"

"Virdon was taken. The reason we do not know, but recall it was he who they proclaimed as their leader when we went to their base. If he lives, I cannot say, although we suspect they had a purpose beyond his death. Only one survived their initial assault and engaged them in battle. Burke was pierced with a dark blade. He still lives, but even with the great knowledge stored in their tablets of lore, the healers do not know the poison that struck him down. He fades with every breath. Though I traveled as a Warrior, I failed in my purpose. Although they inflicted no other injuries, the weapons of the Not-Men laid us down and allowed them to strike and disappear. Only Burke's final words before he entered the Domain of Darkness named the foe. Otherwise, we would have known nothing."

Farsha breathed out, "The Sadu." After she spoke, she jerked her head toward the adults who turned their heads to look at her. Her eyes grew wide as they stared at her. She grabbed her ball and began to run away.

"Farsha! Stand before me!" Grul growled.

The girl skid to a stop, her shoulders slumped and returned, eyes down, chest heaving, tears in her eyes. She stood before The Keeper, nervously squeezing the ball clenched in her fist.

"Were your ears in a place they were not invited?" Grul tapped the side of her head.

"Yes, Keeper."

"Say your interrupting words where we can hear them."

Farsha gulped, her teeth clicking as she snapped her mouth closed. "Yes, Keeper. I said that the man Sir Misha spoke of must be The Sadu, The Wanderer. The one from The Prophecies."

"Why do you think this?"

"Sir Misha said the Emim who is hurt was one of the men who came from the desert with the Shulmanu, and it is said that they traveled from a place far away from our time. So, he is A Wanderer," the youngling lifted her eyes and her voice filled with fascination as she spoke. "The Prophecies say The Wanderer was struck by the Eternal Beast—a beast that does not die just as the Not-Men do not die. And Sir Misha said a dark blade was used—just as The Sadu was 'struck with a stinger black as the starless night which brought its monsters to gnaw mercilessly in his flesh until his death.' The healers within Paradise," she pointed toward the walls of Alba, "do not know how to treat the poison of this Wanderer. Botis said The Sadu's death was certain unless the Rephaim scour the desert to bring the weapons he needs to drive the monsters away. Perhaps the friend of the Shulmanu needs our people to save him as Botis foretold."

"You certainly know a great deal for a youngling who should be sitting by her mother's fire stirring the supper pot."

"Yes, Keeper." The female drew a deep breath at the chastisement and dropped her attention back to the ground. A tear fell, disappearing into the sand at her bare feet. Farsha was too young to have shoes. The younglings were rarely provided coverings for their feet due to the lack of skins and furs to make them. They grew too fast to justify the expenditure of precious resources. The tribe maintained supplies of varied sizes to be given out to the young when it was time to travel but turned back to the tribe when they arrived. Being presented with shoes to stay in the yurt was a rite of passage for the young into the responsibility of adulthood. Grul tapped the stem of the pipe against his long teeth trying to remember who among the Rephaim carried the coverings. He was not yet prepared to seek such things from the Providers along the wall of Paradise.

The Keeper looked to where the half-moon had entered the sky. "Misha, go get Galen. Now. Tell him it is urgent. Both of you need to return to me immediately."

"Grul, he is sitting vigil with Burke."

"All the more reason. Go. With speed."

Misha rose tiredly but asked no more questions. He hurried toward the entrance to the underground city.

Grul emptied the pipe into the fire before he pushed himself to his feet. "Farsha, take me to the yurt of your father."

"Please, no, Keeper," the youngling begged. "I will go on my own. I promise to stay by my fires. Please do not tell my Abba of my disrespect to The Keeper."

"It is not to punish you, my child. I go to tell your Aima and your Abba that I am taking you on a journey."

xXxXxXx

When Eliana finally left Command to go to the Medical Center, her feet that wanted to run felt as if they were sinking in a sandpit. Levi gave her an update on Burke which was no different from the previous updates—unresponsive, critical, toxin unknown—as he left for the night, a tablet in hand which included her written report. He looked as beat as she felt, and with Levi's parting words, she had no desire to know what she looked like. "It's been a helluva day. Get some rest, El. Emergency Council Meeting Zero Nine Hundred."

Dread circled as the lift descended into the darkness of the central shaft, the lights beginning the slow dim that brought night into the city. Fear of seeing Pete who was dying instead of the one who should be thriving had tied ropes around her ankles. She angrily wiped away the threat of tears as, one more time, she questioned what she could have done, should have done, differently that might have spared him.

"It wasn't your fault, Eliana," Nethaniah had leaned into ear as the hovercraft returned to base. "Shit happens."

Shit happens and people die. Her fist shot out slamming the lift door. And now her hand hurt. She concentrated on wiping her face clean of everything.

The Medical Center was quiet when she entered. The large open room filled with exam beds was empty except for Miriam speaking to a young dodah, her winged toddler tugging at a bright red wrapping on his arm. Seeing her enter, the blonde healer gestured toward one of two in-patient rooms with closed doors. Her brief smile did nothing to assuage Eliana's growing trepidation. With a crisp nod, Eliana tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear that had escaped the tight ponytail band. She stepped quickly through the dimly lit small waiting room but found herself transfixed, staring at the closed treatment room door. On the other side was the promise of Pete's welcoming smile that caused her body to tingle with joy or the foreboding of Pete's life being sucked away by an unknown menace she had failed to defeat. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head as she thumbed the control pad but waited in place as the door slid open.

Zeke sat next to the medical pod, his eyes shut, his hand locked onto Pete's, daring anyone to make him let go. Steady beeps sounded from the vital signs monitor joining the quiet susurration of oxygen flowing through the mask positioned over Pete's face. Tubes hung from a metal post with three bags of fluids draining into a wide blue brace wrapped around his left forearm. Eliana took another step in before realizing that the body armor had been cut away leaving his chest bare except for a rounded encasement, secured at the edges by cloth tape, around the hilt of the black blade that still protruded from Pete's torso near his naval. She glanced at Zeke who had lifted his bleary eyes at her approach. Her attention turned to Pete whose pale face was far too still. She stopped on the opposite side of the bed, her heart in a panic but she kept her voice level. "Any change?"

Zeke morosely shook his head. "Raziel has been able to detect that it is a living organism more complex than a single celled bacteria or a replicating virus, but they don't have a sample yet for thorough DNA analysis to identify the molecular structure so they can devise an antidote. It seems to be stalled by Pete's DNA, so they are staying with a cautious approach. They don't know what it is, but the old man has confused it."

Eliana chuckled, "Old man? Don't you have a few years on Pete?"

"Well technically, he's got over a thousand years on me. And I will keep reminding him of that." Zeke absently rubbed on Pete's forearm. "He's running a fever, but they've held it steady for the last few hours with wide-spectrum antibiotics. There's no internal bleeding so they want to leave the blade in until they can remove it with minimal disruption to the organism—whatever it is. Sensors indicate it is eliciting pain in the area where it is located but medication seems to help.

"The truth is, they don't know what they're fighting, and they don't want to try something that could make everything worse. Pete hasn't been conscious since we found him so he can't tell them any symptoms—good or bad—," Zeke's eyes traveled to his fiancé's face, his voice cracking as he spoke, "and my empathic touch is blocked. I can't find him. It's as if he's not there."

Eliana's chest tightened, tears threatening again. She ventured onto safer ground. "I thought Galen was here with you."

"Oh, umm, yes," Zeke slumped into his chair keeping his hand entwined with Pete's. "He was, but Misha came. Said he was needed in the Village. I expect he'll be back when he can. Did the team find out anything more at the crater?"

"We know the crater was created by an explosive blast. Gabe gathered residue samples to be further analyzed for the specific compounds utilized. There were five eruptions around the lip of the crater with footprints trailing from them, so the androids were waiting for us," Eliana slipped into command mode, grateful for the practice before her presentation to the Council of Elders.

"A much larger hole at the center of the crater that appears to be where their transport was buried also left some chemical residue. There were no vehicle tracks other than the indentations at the immediate site so it must have been airborne. We also suspect this was the source of the limited range stun blast which incapacitated our team. Burke was obviously unaffected from his position inside Harr…the hovercraft." Zeke grinned softly filling in Harriet's name in his head as he glanced toward Pete's face. Eliana continued, "Burke did engage the androids based on utilization of hovercraft armaments. His pistol was fired but his needler rifle was not discharged. Evidence of direct hits were confirmed based on splatters of their internal fluids which were gathered for further research. Gabe was hopeful this might give us additional insight into their functioning. The androids exchanged weapons fire on a limited basis, or they retrieved their casings; however, based on tracks, Burke achieved positioning in the area where we placed, and weapon casings indicate he did take fire there."

Eliana waved her hand toward the knife continuing her neutral tone. "At some point, Burke engaged in hand-to-hand combat resulting in his injury. There was a pool of the android white internal fluid intermingled with Burke's blood at the crater, so we know he did some damage to the bastard. There was no indication that they followed him when he moved away from the crater. We know Virdon was taken by the androids, but we found no evidence that he was injured. Their mission appeared to be one of procurement, not assault. Until Pete is able to tell us more, their motivation remains unknown."

Zeke allowed a brief smile. "Malachi will appreciate that concise report."

"I hope so," she grinned back. "Your eema can scare the shit outta me."

"Imagine having to sit across the dining table from that stare every morning," the angel laughed. "I still tense up when those blue eyes flash my way. That look reminds me that I must have done something wrong."

Eliana moved a step closer and took Pete's left hand in hers, the other gripped his upper arm careful not to disturb the IV casing. Her face flushed as she turned to focus on the angel opposite her. "Zeke, I'm so sorry for what happened to Pete…and Jed. I wish I could have done things differently…," her voice trailed off. She bit at her lower lip as she studied Pete's face, desperate for him to open his eyes and make some crack about how it wasn't the knife but the hospital food that was killing him.

Zeke stood, his own face marred by the misery he had tried to keep at bay. He laid his free hand on Pete's chest above his heart. "Eliana…no one blames you," he assured her.

They stood in silence for a long moment, both lost in the fear and helplessness that invaded. Zeke wings lifted suddenly, and he turned to Eliana with a mild look of surprise.

"Does he know?"

She opened her mouth to deflect but remembered who had asked the question. She nervously wet her lips as she met Zeke's hazel eyes. "I told him how I felt about him, but he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He expressed his commitment to you."

Zeke smiled warmly, turning his attention back to his besheirt. "I worry sometimes. Pete admits he has commitment phobia, and I half expect a panic attack when he realizes we've been sharing a bed together for over a month. But what has that got to do with the two of you?"

"I think the customs of Alba knock him around a bit," Eliana shrugged.

"Kinda like you?" Zeke laughed.

"Well, apparently, I didn't knock him on his head hard enough. He hasn't mentioned it again since I brought it to his attention."

Zeke walked around the bed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He began to stroke Pete's hair back from his forehead. "How could anyone look at that face and not fall in love."

"Yes, but then he starts talking," Eliana smirked, leaning her head against Zeke's shoulder.

Zeke nodded. "That's how you know it must be love because he is as exasperating as hell."

xXxXxXx

Pete stirred awake from the needling pain in his stomach, a relentless fire that flamed as he sat up. He slyly peeked around the edge of the crevasse into the tunnel where he had veiled himself from them. All quiet. He held his breath as he cautiously tumbled out onto the ground, looked around nervously before leaning against the rock wall and moved furtively through the dimly lit cavern. The walls remained unchanged as he crept through the passage. His anxiety festered, not from the fear of discovery but a greater need pressed against him.

He stopped, stared at the brown ceiling of rough-hewn stone, closed his eyes, and hissed, "Zeke. I need to talk to you." And see your face. Hear your voice. Feel your touch. One more time. "Zeke."

"Pete…? Pete! I've been trying to find you!" Zeke stood before him, joy in his eyes as he wrapped him in a warmth that removed the chill of fear that had settled around him. Pete fell into his embrace and let it fill him. He pulled back and placed one hand on Zeke's shoulder, the other cupping his cheek.

"Zeke, I have no time. Just listen. Please.

"I never expected to reach old age. My whole life…everything in my life was just one fucked up disaster after another. And I figured if I was doomed to die young, I might as well live fast, live loose, live in the moment, and live alone. No reason to get bogged down and take anyone out with me. Long term commitments with a long life, that was for guys like Alan. Just wasn't the hand I was dealt. And I was OK with all that.

"Then we crashed in this damn crazy world. I knew sooner or later I was going down, and I knew it'd be the apes, but I was gonna go down fighting. The apes weren't going to get the win without suffering some losses along the way. Fight hard, die young and defy the bastards every chance I got. And shit, I was OK with that, too.

"But then… You. Damn.

"I almost die—I did die for a few minutes, I guess—falling into some ancient rail station and tumbled right into Alba. And wouldn't you fuckin' know it, after coming back from the dead, for the first time in my life, I want to be an old man sitting in matching rocking chairs holding your hand.

"Zeke, you listen to me: every minute, every second I have spent with you in my life was better than any diving jet or soaring rocket ship. The biggest adrenaline rush I ever had was laying with you in my arms, just listening to you breathe, knowing that your arms were secure around me. Those were the best moments of my life, Zeke. It just really sucks that when I finally have someone to live for, that death I was always waiting for decided to show up."

Pete jerked his head back at a sound behind him. Zeke tightened his hold as Pete returned to him. Zeke started to speak but Pete stopped him as he pressed their mouths together with a kiss that deepened as he pulled Zeke tight against his body as if his grip alone could bind them together.

As Pete broke the kiss, he lay his cheek against his beloved's, speaking into his ear. Pete's voice hitched but grew stronger as he spoke. "I have to go. If there's a chance in hell I can get back to you, I will. But know this. I never needed another person or got lost in the way that person made me feel until I met you. And to think I had to fall 1000 years away from my life to find you. Makes me the luckiest guy ever. It hurts like hell knowing it's about to be stolen away but being with you was the absolute best time in my life, Zeke. Know that. And know that for a guy who didn't believe it could ever happen to me: I. Love. You."

"Pete, stay with me," Zeke begged. "The healers are going to help you!"

Pete released Zeke suddenly and spun to look back down the tunnel.

"Shit! They found me."

"They…? Who?"

"The apes, of course."

"Apes? The Rephaim? They won't harm you, Pete," the angel shook his head thrusting his hands under his besheirt's arms and wrapping them around his chest, trying to keep him in place.

"No! The Red Apes. They're here." Pete spun in his arms and clutched at any part of the angel his grip could find. "I have to hide, Zeke. Their teeth are sharp, and their bites burn. I know this ends in a goddamn shithole for me. There's too many of them. But I swear on this love I have for you: I won't tell them a damn thing."

"Pete, wait!"

"Damn it! Zeke…, I,…I love you so fucking much and I'm mad as hell right now that I can't stay with you but I can't let them catch me. I can't tell them anything! Try to miss me a little." He kissed him a final time before he pushed away.

"Pete!"

The black veil fell. Zeke swayed then spun, his arms flailing, desperately seeking the man who had made him whole. But Pete was gone with an absence that felt as permanent as death. In his place, the crimson presence pulsated with…anticipation? He sensed an excitement as if—oh god—the red entity was spreading almost like a horde of invaders that had finally burst through the barriers that had contained them, rushing to claim a precious treasure, and Zeke couldn't think of anything more precious than the man whose hand he gripped so tight, his own fingers ached.

"Pete?" Zeke awoke with a gasp. He had fallen asleep in the chair next to Pete's bed, one hand entwined in Pete's fingers, the other laid across his chest.

"I'm sorry, Zeke. I didn't mean to wake you. Can I get you anything?" Tobias asked gently, pausing from his study of the monitors at the head of the bed.

"I…I…found Pete. He was here."

"His level of consciousness is unchanged, Zeke. I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you sensed but his condition hasn't changed."

"No, you're wrong. The toxin adjusted. It's moving faster now." Zeke's voice was subdued, resigned.

A warning alarm sounded. Tobias' eyes widened as Pete's heart and respiration rates spiked. The healer hurried to examine the bio readout and began tapping furiously at the controls.

"He knows he is dying," Zeke uttered despondently. "He came to say goodbye."

xXxXxXx

Pete ran through the tunnels. He could hear the apes on his heels, their grunts of excitement growing as they finally found his scent. He hurried through the corridors taking random turns, not daring to look back. He rounded a bend, skidding to a stop before an open ledge. The solid rock wall fell at least 300 feet to the ground. He leaned out desperately seeking a handhold he could climb, but the wall was slick. His head jerked back as a horn blew and a cacophony of eager shrieks came nearer.

He ran back the way he came hoping he could take a different turn but was forced to stop. He drooped against the stone, his breaths ragged. The echoes of their boots reverberated against the walls. Blocked. There was no way back. He closed his eyes for a moment, his heart a steady drum to announce the approach of his enemy. His eyes grew hard, his face a stoic mask to hide the terror in his gut.

"I'm sorry, Zeke. I can't let them take me alive." Pete pushed off from the wall in a full sprint and leapt from the ledge, his arms and legs moving as if the ground had not disappeared from beneath him. As he fell, his wings unfolded, catching the air allowing him to glide. His wings! The wings he discovered in his visions. They were with him all the time. They were so light, he had forgotten they were there. He howled his own cry of joy as he thrust the wings into motion causing him to soar.

He flew into the night under the light of the half moon.