Chapter 26
As one of my faithful readers has used for comparison…hope you find this chapter steadily climbs like a rollercoaster car, crests the top, and then begins the thrill-ride plunge. Fingers crossed you feel that is a valid comparison for this installment!
###
Minutes earlier, Phai had conferred with the Elder of Elders. Now Trient'Ir's Council encircled her. A pang of grief tightened her throat as she looked to the empty spot where Sequi should have been.
"My friends, time quickly approaches to directly face the enemy who could destroy all our ancestors nurtured and safeguarded. The latest sign is confirmation beyond dispute that the end stages of the Dark Coming are upon us. At the current deterioration rate, the barrier between dimensions will soon fail. Trients 'Ut and 'El are moving into final positions as we speak."
Murmurs of agreement and trepidation spread around the circle.
Olar stood slowly, as if weighted down by the enormity of the battle ahead. "Elder, the evidence supporting the declaration is solid. I came to the same conclusion myself. Does anyone disagree?" he inquired, rotating to catch the eyes of each Elder in turn.
Phai also scanned the faces around her – no one could deny cold scientific facts.
"The end approaches." He turned to the Elder of Elders. "Phai, your Council stands ready."
Several minutes later as the Council's avatars winked out, Phai reflected on the myriad of orders that would immediately be dispatched across Trient'Ir and likely already throughout the other Trients. The coming weeks would reveal many things, including Eilu countermeasures.
The most dangerous time was upon them.
###
An hour earlier, the order came directly from the Emperor. At Rehsaw's command, ten modified Turzent military vessels departed Dradeaa Space Station located next to the highly restricted Zramynian Sector. Those ships were the best of the best. The military installation had been and would continue to be on communication and traffic lockdown to ensure complete secrecy until mission completion. That could be weeks longer and personnel was beginning to grumble, but top-secret operations required extreme measures. Most understood.
He'd done as Ztar asked, and the small fleet was outfitted with coherent-state photon beam weapons. But those weapons were not simply replicas of outmoded light-energy guns. Ztar had demanded much more. Turzent military engineers delivered.
Not one to put all his swords in a single rack, Rehsaw ordered upgrades to standard weapons, as well. Stripped of all non-essential payloads, the fleet of ten became more akin to mobile energy plants.
Engineers and refitting crews had worked around the clock to complete the modifications as the warships arrived from their various sectors. Cannons were fortified to withstand new levels of phase beam intensity generated by the additional power generators – more potency would do little good if weapons burned out by exceeding design capacities. Shield strength was also boosted using cutting-edge technology designed by Military Development and conveniently just coming out of final testing and ready for implementation. The small armada became the most powerful and well-shielded in the Empire.
The commander of Standard Military hoped it was enough.
Rehsaw watched from the station's observation room as the ships got underway, hands clutched behind his back. He wanted to personally command the fleet, but the Emperor forbade it. Jryzkenri was Rehsaw's next choice. She accepted quickly, though as puzzled as Rehsaw had been at the lack of mission specifics, but she was the epitome of the good warrior and accepted the need for secrecy even at her clearance level.
The Turzent fleet was to join with a similar fleet from the Commonwealth. Destination: Atmos Prime, an uninhabited planet within Commonwealth space. There the joint fleet was to ensure that a third group made it planetside. Who that party was and why they needed to get to the surface the Emperor had not shared.
To Rehsaw's chagrin, the Commonwealth commander would actually lead the joint operation, but it was their territory. However, as ship after ship was swallowed by the blackness of space, Rehsaw smiled to himself. He knew Ztar well enough to suspect the man had left Jryzkenri a bit of wiggle room on that point in her private orders.
###
Warren was surprised and a bit apprehensive upon seeing Ztar had commed. The simple message sent hours earlier had asked for a return call. He was even more surprised that a certain Eshaar'ne had bothered to snag the notice from the distant Turzent comm network.
"Volu?" he questioned while gazing at the PI screen.
"You deserve to know he is attempting contact."
"We're on comm blackout."
"True."
Warren frowned, but not at Volu's unexpected support in that arena. "Wonder what's wrong?" he questioned rhetorically. The living ship remained silent.
Propping up pillows against the wall, Warren settled into his bed in case Ztar happened to pick up. "Would you send the comm ping?" The wait began. Two minutes felt like an hour, but the Emperor's face popped up on the PI screen, smiling broadly.
"Archangel! You commed!"
"Obviously." Warren grinned while jostling the PI onto the nightstand to activate the holo-projection feature. Ztar's image materialized instantly, showing the man seated outside. "Looks like you're sloughing off in Moit'de gardens."
The Turzent's smile widened, but seemed forced. "Yes. A small break from burdens."
"Troubles in the Empire?"
The smile faded. "The usual…" the deep tenor voice trailed off. "Your call, though, lightens that weight. Thank you."
Warren's chest tightened. Something was wrong. "Ztar, what's going on?"
"I refuse to discuss problems and taint this occasion. I want to hear how the search goes and about you and Ettwanae and…everything." Ztar leaned closer. "Talk, Archangel, and help me forget Imperial matters for a while."
Warren was truly concerned. "You don't sound like yourself. What is wrong? Where Jharda?"
The man visibly sighed. "She is away on Imperial business."
"Sukja?"
"In the palace. I don't want to talk to them. I want to hear your news."
"You haven't answered by first two questions."
The black-crimson-haired head shook slowly and the head dipped. "Nothing more than what other emperor's have faced. Governing even under the imperiocratic system is wearing. Of late, I'm feeling it more acutely. Likely, pending fatherhood and marriage are conspiring to make things seem more trying." Large, gold-flecked brown eyes drew up again to Warren. The man's face had become stiff. "Now, my Court member, tell me your news." Then a small upturn of the corner of Ztar's mouth and a twinkle in the eyes. "Or must I command your obedience?" That was followed by a small burst of laughter. "Probably a meaningless gesture as you have a habit of disregarding my commands."
Warren chuckled despite concern hanging on. Ztar was digging in heels, and when that happened, sometimes even Warren couldn't get the man to budge. Sudden sadness washed over him as he studied Ztar, but kept that out of his expression. If things went badly at Atmos, he may be looking upon his friend for the last time. They could all be looking upon much for the last time.
He slapped on a mischievous grin instead for Ztar's sake, and perhaps his own. "One day, I'll get it out of you, but today, you get a pass."
Wistfulness floated over the handsome Turzent features. "I recognize that smile, my former companion. We shall see. Now, no more procrastinating. Your news."
Thus, Warren shared all he felt wise about their search, and distracted from the shallowness of that information with enthusiasm about his and Ettwanae's deepening relationship, sans the little part about Ura frustrations. Ztar talked about Jharda and how advancing pregnancy hadn't slowed her down. In fact, she seemed even more energized.
Some time later, Ztar's fading image left a lump in Warren's throat. Sorrow spread from his friend to all that could be lost with failure at Atmos. It was too much to accept…too much to grasp, and he pushed depressing thoughts down.
'Don't think about the unthinkable, Worthington. You'll just drive yourself to despair.'
Concern over Ztar's emotional state was worrisome. 'Wish I could be there for you, big guy,' he sent out to the universe. Warren didn't buy the man's excuse about imperial matters for a minute. Had Ztar's off and on precognitive abilities warned him something dire was afoot?
Warren drew feet up and enfolded himself within a protection feather cocoon. So much he longed to have said to Ztar, but it would have sent unwanted signals. He refused to add to whatever burdens Ztar already carried. Sitting quietly for several minutes, Warren focused on letting tensions go and mentally replayed all the good parts of their comm. Opening the white cocoon a couple minutes later, he decided to find the love of his life.
###
Ztar froze the image of Archangel that hovered before him in the garden pavilion Jharda had commissioned as their private retreat. Controlling emotions had been a struggle during the conversation, but he felt he'd done well. Yes, Archangel was suspicious, but perhaps not to the point of anxiety.
He studied the beautifully handsome visage. The slightly tussled, golden hair; the amazing blue eyes, finely honed features…how he missed his former lover. Especially at the moment. Jharda's absence accentuated old longings. If only Archangel had loved him enough to remain at his side. Jharda may have eventually accepted Archangel.
At his command, the PI positioned Jharda's image next to Archangel's. She was his first love. A lost love found. She was precious beyond Ztar's ability to describe. His lover, his love; confidante and supporter, the mother of their unborn child.
'No, it would never have worked if Archangel had stayed. A dream that could never be – my dream. Not theirs.'
Tears sprang up. How could it all end? Why was the universe demanding the ultimate sacrifice? When the signal had come from Phai to dispatch the fleet, it meant the end was near. To save everyone he loved, he had to do the unthinkable. Emotions too great to be denied any longer, welled up.
Ztar – emperor, lover, husband-to-be, and father-to-be, a man feeling very much alone – wept quietly in the garden.
###
/ Eilu! We must evacuate now! / Elder Phai's mental voice screamed in Warren's head.
He was stunned. How did the enemy find the facility? How many Eilu? Where? Moments later, sounds of running filled the halls from all directions. The Etagllot were well drilled in sudden evacuation, but the rest of them weren't so prepared.
Where were Ettwanae and the others?
/ Phai! / he yelled mentally, praying she'd pick up despite his weak ability.
/ Warren, get to the hangar. The Eilu are nearly upon us! /
He'd not move a muscle until he knew which direction to run. / Where are Ettwanae, Flint, and Gatebi? /
/ I have directed them to Volu. Do likewise – immediately! /
Damn the woman! Without knowing where everyone was, he was forced to do as ordered. Just as he reached the galley exit, the mountain shook. Lights flickered, things rattled. Warren's heart clenched – would they end up buried alive? The idea of the mountain coming down to seal them within woke feral fears and drove dread to the core.
###
Ettwanae and Gatebi were in the garden when Phai raised the alarm. Ettwanae was immune to telepathic intrusion, but instantly knew something was amiss when the PI dropped from Gatebi's hands. She looked to her friend to see the brown eyes widen and fear enveloping her face as the Alcab leapt to her feet.
"Ettwanae, the Eilu! They found us!"
Her blood drained to the ground. "The Dark Ones? Oh, goddess!"
"We must get to Volu immediately," the older woman said, snagging Ettwanae's hand and yanking her up from the ground.
Ettwanae's mind whirled in confusion and fear. "How-?"
"I don't know, but we have to hurry!"
"We must find Warren…and Flint!" she demanded as they sprinted toward the facility entry.
"Phai said they are heading to Volu. Everyone's meeting in the hangar." Gatebi's hand reached for the door's control pad – that was as far as she got when the world exploded.
###
Flint had decided to find his shipmates and was nearing the exit for the garden where Vo said Twae and Gabby had gone. He was bored. LanicWorld wasn't appealing that day and most Etagllot pastime activities didn't interest him. LanicWorld was a brilliant game that he took great pride in, but the teen begrudgingly knew that it was the Eshaar'ne's continued enhancements and programming twists that made the game truly addictive. He'd gone so far as to tell Vo that when they got back to Earth that she'd make a shitload of money as a game programmer. Course, he'd come up with the concepts.
"Together, we'll be gazillionaires!" he'd explained excitedly. "With how fast you program stuff, we could have a new game out every week." Just as quick, he'd rethought. "Nay, that'd be too often. Some marketing geek could help with that kinda stuff."
The teen was just yards from the exit when all hell broke loose in a single, earth-shaking blast and loud rumble. Flint dove to the side of the corridor as small rocks, dust, and ceiling material rained down. Shielding himself as best he could with arms above head, the young Human could do nothing but wait for things to stop falling. Visions of being crushed by a mountain of rock nearly sent him into blind panic. Immediately on the heels of that thought, came the even more horrifying idea of being entombed alive as the lights flickered.
As quickly as it started, everything was still. Coughing and eyes tearing from rock dust, Flint blinked to see through the dusty haze. No cave in!
###
Phai and Den-neer had been together in her office when Etagllot security's comm announced her worst fear. Eilu ships had dropped out of FTL within Ekkamm's upper atmosphere, thus eluding early detection by the Shozen's highly advanced sensors. Their trajectory was a straight line to the underground facility. There was no doubt the enemy knew where they were hidden. They had only moments.
Security raised shields instantly. Would they hold against Eilu weapons? No one knew. How were they found? And the day before departure for Atmos? Did they have a spy amongst them? Hows and whys would have to wait.
Phai had sounded the mental alarm, reaching out first to security, then to key individuals. Top priorities were the Esha'Aru – both natural and cloned – and at least one of the ships. Everyone else was expendable, including herself. Taer could take over in her stead. The Esha'Aru pairs must reach Atmos Prime or nothing else mattered.
"Den-neer, we need to ensure Volu gets out with our keys. The others are to ensure that. See to it! I will make certain the Esha'Aru get to the hangar. Go!"
Just as Phai completed her instructions, the first strike hit the installation.
###
Dread lay heavy in Warren's stomach. Instinct told him to find the others before heading to the hangar, but where were they?
"Ettwanae! Flint!" he yelled as he ran. No answer. Etagllot security guards rounded a corner and slide to a halt.
"Come with us – you must get to the ships!"
"Not without my friends!"
"Others are escorting them. Come with us now – that's an order!"
Warren glared. "I don't take orders from Etagllot!"
"If you want to live, you will do as we say. Prime Director Phai is directly everyone's movements telepathically. We are to take you to the hangar."
Warren focused all his mental energy into a single blast. / Phai! Answer me, damn it! /
/ Warren? What are you doing? Go to the hangar. /
/ Not until you tell me exactly where my friends are! And if your guards try to stop me, I'll rip them to shreds with my bare hands. /
The pause was too long. His gut twisted.
/ Ettwanae and Gatebi are trapped outside the facility in the garden. Gatebi is badly injured. /
His stomach lurched. Was Ettwanae injured, as well? She'd heal quickly, but Gatebi? / I knew it! I'm taking these guards and getting them. /
/ No! Others will retrieve them. /
/ It's not up for discussion. I'm heading there now. / He returned focus to the Etagllot guards. "You're with me, not the other way around. Either follow and help or get the hell out of my way!"
With that, Warren took off in a whoosh of white feathers and swirling air to fly down the wide corridor toward the garden exit.
###
A streak of blackness blotted out part of the sky for less than the blink of an eye, but the sound blast and explosion seemed to go on forever. Time slowed for Ettwanae as instinct took over. Pulling her friend's arm, Ettwanae yanked Gatebi backward as rock and dirt flew with deadly velocity. With so much flying debris, she could not take to the air as reflex desired. Then above them, the side of the mountain began to move. She managed to get them clear of the worst of the rockslide, but they were caught in its outer fringes. Rocks pummeled her body as it threatened to bury them, yet oddly, she felt no pain. Ettwanae attempted to shield her friend as best she could, but the avalanche of dirt and rock tore Gatebi away.
Abruptly, all went deathly quiet. Looking around, her legs were buried under a mound of stone and dirt. One finger still clung to something soft.
"Gatebi!"
Only part of a hand was visible, otherwise the Alcab was buried. Frantically, Ettwanae fought to free herself. Powerful Esha'Aru muscles came to her aid. She pulled and pushed and crawled free, then began tearing away the collapsed mountainside from her dear friend.
"Goddess, please!" she screamed in desperation. The digging was an eternity…every pounding heartbeat drawn out. Ettwanae was oblivious to pain as fingers bled from the frenzied battle against jagged rock and dirt. Consumed with saving Gatebi, she gave no thought to the danger lurking above.
###
When Warren reached Flint, the teen was pounding at the exit to the garden. Some of the tunnel ceiling had collapsed, but not significantly. Rock dust hovered in the air. Landing only steps behind Flint, the kid whirled around, green eyes wide.
"What the hell is going on?!"
"Dark Ones – an attack."
"Oh, shit. Double shit. Gabby is out there – and Twae!"
"I know. The door doesn't work?"
The kid looked instantly offended. "Think I'd be pounding on it if it was?!"
Etagllot security came charging down the corridor.
"Door's jammed. My friends are outside," was all Warren spared them.
One of the guards yanked a panel off the wall to fiddle with some controls. The door still would not respond to the activation pad. Working as a team, they forced open the sliding door a foot to a hail of dirt and rocks. The more they pried the door open, the more apparent it became the exit was hopelessly blocked.
"Now what?!" Flint yelled.
Warren would have given anything for Cyclops at that moment. Handheld phase guns weren't rock blasting weapons. Warren turned to the guards.
"Have any phase cannons?" The guards shook their collective heads. "Anything we can use to bust through?"
What looked to be a senior guard, a perhaps female of a species Warren didn't know, eyed him down. "No."
"Then we go out somewhere else. Other than the hangar, any way out of here?"
Crossing arms, the woman's face darkened. "Only the hangar tunnel."
"Just two exits?! No secret escape routes you guys are so well known for?" he asked with acid.
The officer appeared unfazed by the hostility. "Not here. This installation is supposed to be undetectable and impenetrable." The alien jaw set firmly. "Why expend the effort? Until recently, everyone here has been nonessential."
Warren growled. Etagllot philosophy to the core. "To the hangar, then."
###
Ettwanae's mental cry sent shockwaves of terror through Volu. She immediately rose up, but Bae's commanding voice sliced through her communication array to root her in place.
"Volu, no! Ettwanae may have escaped their detection as an Esha'Aru – her bio signature should read as Sat'reyan. If you charge out to her now, you risk exposing her for what she is. The Eilu could kill her and Gatebi before you reach them."
"I must protect her!"
"You must ensure her survival – those can sometimes be conflicting objectives."
Volu was torn as never before. Her Other was screaming for her to come, but Bae was right – Ettwanae's genetic sheath may be shielding her from Eilu attention…as long as they did not bother visually scanning the two 'meaningless' life signs caught outside.
"Listen to me, Volu. Den-neer has shared Phai's plan. It must be followed exactly, or all is lost. This is where we need to be right now."
Volu bristled, but relented and allowed the tactical information to flow to her from Bae. There was one thing Volu would ensure her mother understood completely.
"If I place Ettwanae's life into Phai's hands, then she best pray to our goddess that the plan works or I will destroy everything and everyone who allowed harm to come to my Other."
###
Phai had ordered guards to retrieve the clones. She'd meet them half way. Hiking up her long dress, the Elder raced through the tangle of halls to the rendezvous point. Suddenly, a mental alert from one of the security officers pinged her mind. The clones were panicked and refusing to leave their room.
/ Drag them out, I don't care how you do it – get them here! /
/ Elder Phai, they are hysterical and amazingly strong. We may need to stun them. /
/ Then do it. /
As much as she hated the act, they had no time to waste. The clones were little more than children in adult bodies. In fact, their development level had barely reached that of early school age. One can grow physical bodies at an amazing rate, but the mind and intellect were another matter. Only life and learning brings maturity and wisdom. N'Ollein and N'Adiaera had precious little of either.
Not yet to the halfway point, another blast resounded through the facility. Security immediately informed her that unlike the first blast, which sealed the only other exit, this one attempted to break through the hangar shield and door.
Edges of panic were creeping in, a sensation Phai was unaccustomed to. The Shozen Elder realized with suddenly clarity that the mountain fortress would be the perfect hideaway for beings of darkness. And, if the Eilu wanted them dead, that was one thing. If they wanted them alive… Nauseating visions flashed through her mind.
Pushing images and emotions aside, Phai continued toward the rendezvous. She had nearly reached the living quarters section when the guards came into view, unconscious clones in their arms. Whirling around, Phai led the group at a top speed toward the hangar.
Rounding a corner for the final sprint to the ships, they nearly ran over T'Qilla. The mother looked stricken.
"Bae says Ettwanae's outside! I need to get to her!"
Phai grabbed the woman's arm none too gently and forced her to start running with them. "Right now, your daughter is possibly the safest amongst us!"
###
Den-neer had reached the hangar quickly as it was a short distance from Phai's office. He waited as instructed; orchestrating defensive tactics in his mind should the Eilu breach the facility. He, Uulophar, and Bae would be the first and final line of defense to ensure Volu escaped with her precious cargo. The Esha'Aru foursome must get off planet and into the safety of FTL at any cost.
At first, Den-neer didn't agree with Phai's decision that it would be Volu who left with the Esha'Aru foursome, but then the choice quickly made sense. Volu would focus on escape while her more powerful defenders held the enemy at bay.
Suddenly, Volu rose, and he swirled around to face her.
/ Bae, what's going on? /
/ Not now, Den-neer. /
Moments later, Volu resettled on the hangar floor. Without being privy to the younger Eshaar'ne's thoughts, he wondered if she had panicked. Frankly, she had every right. If any of them made it out, it would be a miracle.
In the next heart beat, shockwaves from a second, far closer blast vibrated the bay. Stone dust and small pieces of rock rained down, echoes of the impacts filling the otherwise deathly quiet. Den-neer knew the Eilu struck the hangar door despite its sophisticated cloak. In his opinion, the pinpoint accuracy of the attack meant only two possibilities – the Eilu found a way to penetrate Shozen technology or they had an infiltrator.
The attack on Phai, the assassination of Sequi, and now the assault on their installation. His chest instantly constricted.
/ Mother! /
/ I am here. The Eilu may be attempting to invade, not destroy. They cannot be allowed to take you or me alive. /
/ Understood. However, that may not be our most serious long-term concern. / He felt her disbelief as mental flashes came that she and the clones had joined up.
/ Explain. /
/ This attack points to only two explanations – they have breached our technology or… /
/ …an Eilu operative in our midst. I have already concluded that, Den-neer. / She seemed annoyed that he believed she wouldn't have. / No Etagllot leaves this facility alive, if we manage to escape. /
/ Actually, I was thinking more broadly – to the unimaginable. We still have no valid explanation for how the Eilu found you and Sequi. Who else besides staff here knew your destination and has access to the details of this installation? /
Den-neer felt her contemplate as the Elder raced toward his location. Then he sensed a wash of sickening realization mingled with denial.
/ No, Den-neer. That is not possible. We would know! /
Den-neer remained silent, allowing Phai to arrive at his same conclusion. The Elders rarely met in person – the distances too vast for that to be practical. The last time they gathered in the flesh was Phai's coronation as Elder of Elders hundreds of years earlier. Much can be hidden within separation…
The mental exchange came to an abrupt end when a second blast to the hangar entry shook the mountain. How long would shields hold? At that same instant, Archangel, the red-haired Human, and several Etagllot guards burst into the hangar. The winged man immediately sailed toward the ceiling and came to a hover to stare him down.
"Den-neer, we're going outside – Ettwanae and Gatebi are in the garden. Open the bay door!"
Den-neer studied Archangel. The man was a ball of fury and determination. If that alone could rescue the two females, then they'd be already safe. Unfortunately, it would take much more than that to save any of them.
"I may not need to open the doors, Archangel – our attackers are likely close to breaking through." As if to drive home the point, another hit shook the facility causing more dust and rock to fall. Here and there, larger chunks of stone hit the floor loudly. Behind him, Volu and Bae began shimmering as they powered up weapons and shields. From the sounds coming from Phai's ship, Uulophar was doing likewise. The air quickly charged with thrumming energy.
###
Warren's heart was pumping from adrenalin and controlled fear for the love of his life and her best friend. With the enemy at the gate, it would take a substantial counterattack to blast through their lines. He flew in a quick, tight circle to release the surging need for action.
"What's the plan? How are we getting out and still save Ettwanae and Gatebi?" he yelled at Den-neer.
Just then, Phai came running full hilt into the bay with T'Qilla and several guards, two carrying an unconscious Esha'Aru pair.
"Get the clones into Volu," she ordered the guards, and they immediately darted toward Eshaar'ne's dilating bay door. "Warren…you, as well – into Volu. You and the Esha'Aru must escape and make it to Atmos Prime."
"I go nowhere without my friends!" he snarled, landing just feet in front of the Shozen leader, the backwash of wings swirling her pure-white hair and long dress.
"You tell her, War! We're a team – we stick together!" Flint yelled running up.
"We have one chance at escape and no time to argue. We will retrieve Ettwanae. Now do as I say!"
Phai's face and eyes took on a hard coldness that would wilt the objections of nearly anyone else, but Warren had faced far worse.
"Then show me what the hell you're planning and-"
The thundering boom of another hangar door impact was deafening. Time slowed as the concussion blast hit, carrying stone and metal debris from the tunnel into the bay with lethal velocity. Warren sensed shrapnel bounce off around him from what could only be a shield. Hitting the ground with breath-robbing impact, falling rocks and dust never reached his body. Eyes jumping to Phai, the woman was amazingly still standing. Then he sought Flint and T'Qilla – they were on the floor, appearing rattled, but alive. Had Volu extended shields? Bae? Time returned to normal as he scrambled to his feet.
"We have visitors," Den-neer called out. All eyes turned to the darkened shaft. A large, black mass was moving inward, blocking the light from the end of the tunnel.
###
Ettwanae was stunned when Volu refused to come. The Eshaar'ne said she was safer if Volu remained inside. How could that be? She continued throwing dirt and stones off Gatebi. At least her friend was breathing – unconscious, but breathing.
Black ships passed overhead, but she ignored them. Keeping wings tucked tightly to body as Volu instructed, she tried to do nothing to call attention to herself while praying her cloak proved impenetrable to Eilu scanners. Finally, her friend was free from the pile of mountain debris, but Ettwanae knew better than to move Gatebi.
/ Volu, can you scan her? /
/ I already have. She was internal injuries and several broken bones. /
/ I can heal her using The Source. /
/ Not without revealing yourself to the Dark Ones. /
/ But she could die! /
/ Gatebi is strong. She will hang on. /
/ But- /
/ No buts, my Poda, or the Eilu will kill you both. /
/ Can I move her? I want to get us better hidden. /
/ I believe you can if you are careful. /
Ettwanae ever so gently lifted the Alcab and maneuvered into the far corner of the garden wall. Then she pulled over a bench and positioned it to hide them. Gatebi moaned. Ettwanae immediately stroked the dirt-filled orange hair.
"I'm right here, Gatebi," she whispered. "I will keep you safe, but you must remain quiet." She doubted the woman heard her.
Tears formed as full realization of their situation set in. Eilu attacking, two of them caught outside. What was happening in the facility? Everyone else she cared about was trapped inside with Dark Ones blasting at the facility's only other escape route. Every strike against the mountain fortress caused her to jump and her heart to sink. Didn't the Shozen build weapons into their facility? Would the shadow beings breach the fortress defenses? Would the Eilu kill everyone? Or, almost worse, capture and use them for food as they had the poor Booettu?
The Alcab groaned in her unconsciousness. Blood oozed from several visible wounds and other blotches of rusty red stained clothing from hidden injuries. Large, ugly bruises were forming everywhere she could see. Then Ettwanae looked down at herself. Bloodstains, as well. Her body and hands were dirt-coated and nails torn and broken. Numerous cuts, scraps, and bruises were in various stages of healing. Pulling a wing forward revealed feathers that were no longer white.
Gatebi moved an arm and mumbled something incoherent. As she leaned down to cover the woman with body and wings to keep her warm against shock, Ettwanae prayed.
"Please, Ozshi'wanae, save us!"
###
Another cliffhanger, you say? You bet! Next time, part two of the attack. See you then, and thank you for reading!