Chapter 13 #2
She had considered this crew to be her family, each looking out for the others and caring about what they felt or thought.
Her misguided brain had seen that as love rather than duty.
Meeting Hesher and discovering what it truly meant to love another without reservation had brought her misconceptions to light.
Yes, her crew was important. She cared deeply for their safety and that they survive to live happily.
But it ended there. She could easily live without them in her life: walk away wishing them a bright future.
Her job was simply an occupation. It paid well, brought satisfaction, and sent her on the adventures she had craved all her life, yet it didn't involve her heart or her soul.
Love was vastly different. Her heart beat solely for Hesher.
Its rhythms changed to match his, no matter his mood.
It ached when he wasn't around and leaped when he was.
She was half empty with him gone and whole at the times their bodies joined.
Basically, she couldn't live without him.
She would grieve herself to death if they parted.
Independence and the ability to make her own choices and rules were ingrained pieces of her soul.
Would she give them up for a lifetime with Hesher? Would he ask her to?
Lydia was still debating when the transportation arrived.
Sleek modern buses, with wide, comfortable seating lined up to retrieve her crew.
Smiling faces offered assistance to get onboard where food and drinks awaited them.
Lydia let go of her control. She was tired and didn't care who knew it.
She and her crew would be safe with these men, and she could just be a woman, not the captain.
She found a seat at the back, accepted her meal, and after eating fell into a deep slumber.
Sophia shook her awake. The skyscrapers of New York surrounded the bus.
The sun was setting, but there were people everywhere.
The atmosphere was celebratory, without a weapon in sight.
They moved out of the streets to let the buses through, cheering them on as if they knew who was inside.
Rankin World Defense loomed ahead, taller than any other building.
The buses sailed through wide doors beneath it when they opened, seemingly by magic.
The parking garage they entered resembled none she had ever seen.
Vehicles of every description shone under the bright lights.
Limousines, sports cars from every decade, sedans with windows too dark to see inside, armored cars, and silver cylinders floating above the floor.
From the oldest known motorized vehicle to the newest air powered flying car, they were represented.
Instead of the circular, glass-enclosed elevators at the front and center of the building, they were ushered onto platforms exactly like the ones on Talonia.
They rose quickly. Then as the platforms reached three-quarters of the way to the top, they began to stop.
One platform stopped per floor until Lydia's came to a halt just two floors beneath the top.
She started forward to exit with the others, following her bus driver, but was blocked by a man in a pristine silver suit.
"By the description I was given, you must be Lydia.
I'm Doug. I have been running the company in Kelan's long absence.
Needless to say, we were overjoyed to learn he was alive and well.
Oddly enough, none of us were shocked to discover he was alien.
This building is a testament to how otherworldly he was.
Discovering that the rumors of him turning into a dragon were true was more fascinating than frightening.
Never mind my excited rambling. It's just that this day has been very different from what we planned.
If you and a woman named Sophia will come with me, I'll take you to the penthouse.
Kelan wishes you to make it your home for now.
He said Commander Hesher will join you when the mission is completed. "
They moved down the hallway to a locked, private elevator.
Doug had the key and motioned them inside.
This time, the doors opened to a slightly smaller version of Kelan's home on Talonia.
It was luxurious and welcoming. "The pantries and refrigerator are well stocked.
We replaced the food as it expired in case Kelan ever came back.
Fresh bedding was put on the moment he called, and clean towels are in the bathrooms, along with robes and toiletries.
Some design changes were made in the building since Kelan left, but not here. We think of it as a sacred place."
"Where was the rest of the crew taken?" Lydia asked, ignoring his blabbering.
"Offices on some of the floors have attached studio apartments.
They were given them as long as needed. I promise they're being looked after.
The guestrooms are down the hall on this floor, but the master suite is upstairs.
You are expected to use it, Lydia. All rooms have a buzzer by the door.
Push it if you require anything. It will ring in my apartment.
I'll leave you to clean up and rest," Doug stated.
"Wait! Have you heard any update on the war? Did Kelan say how Hesher's group was doing? Have the other countries reported in?" she anxiously inquired .
"I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner.
They were here earlier to clear the city so you would be safe.
You probably saw the celebration outside.
The Xycon that occupied New York agreed to leave after a very short altercation.
Your commander and his men have since gone to Canada.
The other countries have faired the same as America.
Their militaries stepped up just like ours.
The Xycon are retreating in droves. According to the conversation Hesher had with the ones here, their leader was killed in Washington, D.C.
, but you were there so that's not news.
The last thing announced was that after a fourth city was visited by each group, things should be settled enough to end the war.
Two of the Xycon ships have already gone.
Thank goodness you found the weredragons," Doug added as he finally stopped to take a breath.
"It was an accident, but a providential one.
This could have ended so differently if our ship hadn't been hit by the rogue asteroid.
I still wonder if it was as random as we all imagine.
Thank you for the information and the kindness, Doug.
Should you hear more, please let us know, even if you need to wake us. "
"That won't be necessary. You can hear it all for yourselves. I'll open the COM link before I step out and it will relate news as it comes in. Have a nice night."