Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Regina and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Light Shining Amongst The Darkness Chapter 5
Since the desertion from the Espheni forces Red Eyes and his forces have been constantly on the run. Moving from place to place so as to avoid recapture by the enemy.
After the bug Red Eye had implanted in Tom Mason returned he's been keeping a close watch on the human around everything else.
The Skitter Rebel numbers are slowly growing in both number and strength. More and more are slowly joining them by the day as other Skitters begin to fight the control of the harnesses and suppressors better.
Tonight Red Eye is meeting with some of his top operatives to check on progress.
Red Eyes is rarely seen without Regina with him lately. He keeps the toddler close now in her usual place wrapped securely in either a harness or in a blanket close to the chest. Tonight she's lying in a blanket that's tied around his neck creating a papoose for her dressed in warm clothing.
Surprisingly when this all started Red Eye didn't have any problems with other Skitters regarding her. Many of them already knew both his attachment and his long personal obligation to take care of her so dearly. So making sure Regina is well cared for is one of their shared top priorities too. The biggest dilemma with Regina is finding enough food. The usual concoction of honeyed water Red Eye had to feed her isn't going to cut it anymore. Her body requires a whole lot more nurturing than that. Fortunately, luck was on their side at least for a little while.
During the Rebel Skitters traveling from place to place a few came across an abandoned homestead by accident. Here they managed to find some farm animals that were somehow still alive. One of them was a pregnant nanny goat. Not only did they get a supply of milk for Regina to drink, but this farm had been growing a lot of fruits and vegetables before the war. Sure during the colder months the produce withers and dies, but when spring and summer come the seed lying dormant in the earth comes alive once more. The Rebel Skitters picked as much as they could carry for supplies. Making note of this location they'd come back for more regularly as long as this place remained hidden. To be honest it's a good spot for them to retreat to if they ever require a backup plan to regroup.
Unbeknownst to any Skitters they have some unwanted visitors spying on them through the undergrowth.
Ben Mason and his friend Jimmy had been scouting the area solo searching for any Skitters they could find and take out of the picture. Ben Mason in particular has lost and endured so much. He wants to pay the enemy back in spades big time for clarity and vengeance for his family.
Ben's dad and Colonel Weaver would flat-out disapprove of these rash and reckless actions, but the kid feels like he has to do this.
Eyeing the Skitters through the scope of his weapon, Jimmy said "What are they doing?"
"I don't know," whispered Ben, quietly. "And there's no Mechs with them."
"That's weird," noted Jimmy.
"The one with the red eye creeps me out," said Ben, getting a peculiar feeling just looking at that Skitter.
"What's he holding," said Jimmy.
"I don't know. I can't see. It's too dark," admits Ben.
The sooner they get this over with the better in Ben's opinion.
Jimmy prepares for battle, loading his weapon with ammunition.
"Is that one of the Berserkers'' dragon breath rounds," said Ben, impressed.
Nodding, Jimmy said "Yeah. One of Pope's pyro tech rounds. Bye-bye, buckshot. Hello, flamethrower. I've got two of them. Let's toast some Cockroaches."
"Yeah," said Ben, gleefully.
This confidence wouldn't last for long. It will cost Jimmy his life.
"Okay," said Ben, coughing.
The sound makes the Skitters snap their heads in the kid's direction. Their location has been compromised.
The Skitters move closer to investigate. Ben and Jimmy patiently wait until the Skitters are in range and then they strike.
Jimmy attacks with the reconverted flamethrower and rifle, burning two to death in seconds leaving the one with the red eye remaining.
Ben and Jimmy attack at the exact same time. Ben was tossed aside and Jimmy had the gun knocked out of his hands. These teenagers stood no chance, especially given the fact Red Eye has someone to protect.
Jimmy was thrown into a tree getting stabbed front and back with a broken branch.
"Jimmy," screamed Ben, getting up to retaliate, fist raised.
Red Eye meets him in the middle doing something Ben Mason couldn't see coming.
Red Eye activates the mental connection that's open between Skitters with harnessed and de-harnessed specimens. Ben freezes the malignant and hostile atmosphere coming from him disappearing as he sees in Red Eye's mind that this leader doing the same to him. Nothing is said where anyone can hear what passed from each of them.
Red Eye has conveyed and seen enough. This boy will not die today. On the contrary, he may be of great use. Red Eye breaks the connection, Ben Mason collapsing onto his knees gasping for air.
Ben Mason looks back up at Red Eye and gets another shock as he finally sees what he is holding. Regina sticks her head out over the blanket blinking at Ben innocently. In response, Red Eye pulls the blanket up a bit more to conceal her better. A hand pressed over it Red Eye scrambles away leaving a stunned Ben Mason scrambling to save his friend.
This is not over with Red Eye and Ben Mason. Red Eye will find him later.
Authors Note:
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.
