Chapter 12 #2
"You came with the others. You appeared harmless enough, so we ignored your presence. We are correcting that mistake. You have a connection with our new enemy, and we will use you to gain their attention and get them to change sides in this war."
"What would ever make you think they would align themselves with you?" Lydia taunted.
"We have much to offer. We will tempt them with partial control of the many worlds we have taken, including this one.
Power is a great temptation. We will inform them that together no one can defeat us.
Then there is you and the other helpless humans.
We will promise to let you live. They have some kind of affection for you or they would not be here.
One, in particular, kept watch over this location. Your group must be special."
"Not really," Lydia tried to bluff. "They were only looking to us to provide laser power so you would grow nervous and become gaseous, nothing more. They have an alliance with Earth. They won't betray them by joining you."
"Loyalty always goes to the highest bidder.
If that makes you angry, rest assured: you will be avenged.
Once we have their trust, we will kill them in their sleep.
Alliances, promises, and truth mean nothing to us.
We will say whatever is necessary in order to win and we will eventually rule the universe. "
"You really think you can force all worlds into enslavement?" she asked, trying to keep his eyes off the red dragon who was rising over the building's edge.
"Submit to us or die. We have no preference."
"I assume you stayed clear of the battle because you're a leader. What happens if you're killed?"
"Do not get your hopes up. If I were to die, which is doubtful, there are hundreds of others to take my place."
Lydia saw the red dragon first. He rose behind the Xycon leader like a mountain coming out of the earth, silent and enormous.
His wings blocked the sun. The alien was still talking, still making his threats, utterly unaware of what was behind him.
Lydia forced herself not to look, not to give it away.
She kept her eyes locked on the Xycon’s face and kept him talking.
Whether it was a disturbance in the air caused by Hesher's wings or some slight sound that human ears couldn't hear, the Xycon realized he was in danger.
Suddenly, he reached out to grab Lydia as a shield.
Another body intervened. She was thrown backwards, falling atop Sophia as her protector tried to grasp onto the alien.
He transformed and Marcus's hands went straight through the gas.
The Xycon's laser fell from his fingers, discharging into the air.
The blast hit Marcus in the chest and he crumpled.
Hesher and Kelan disintegrated the Xycons at the same instant but couldn't save her second-in-command.
Sophia's wail of anguish was all Lydia could hear.
All other sound was muted beside the grief of a woman for her brother.
They had fought often, and their lack of friendship was well documented, but the familial love had endured.
Lydia held her as she cried, with tears falling down her own cheeks.
She had hated Marcus at times, and he had never taken her seriously as the captain, yet in the end, he had given his life for her.
He was loyal despite his words to the contrary.
The roof was on fire, trapping the grieving crew.
One by one, the dragons came, lifting a crew member gently with their claws.
Hesher took Lydia, and Kelan picked up the sobbing Sophia.
Even the body of Marcus was retrieved. The humans were placed next to a river in soft grass.
Hesher and Kelan flew a short distance and transformed.
They were exhausted and panting when they made it back to Lydia and the others.
Hesher's back was bloody, as was Kelan's leg.
"How badly are you hurt?" Lydia wanted to know. "I saw the hole in your wing."
"It has become a hole in my back as a man. I hurt less in dragon form, but I needed to see to your people. What medical help do you require? "
She looked around at her crew. Dragons continued to drop off more as the minutes ticked by.
She saw bruises, scrapes, and cuts. Nothing appeared to be life-threatening or overly painful.
"We're fine," she replied. "It's you and Kelan who need bandaging.
How many dragons were hurt or killed? The yellow one was in bad shape. "
"Almost all have injuries. Their trap came very close to working.
We lost none in this round. Arkon, the yellow dragon, will live.
He will never fly again, and that may prove to be worse than death.
The Xycon are retreating from this city.
You will be safe here. We must continue on to the next one.
Our injuries will have to wait. We cannot let them regroup, or all will be lost."
"You're exhausted. You can't continue fighting," she argued. "How will you even make it to the next city?"
Hesher pointed at the helicopters. "We will catch a ride. It will give us a small amount of time to rest. Perhaps they have bandages on board. I am sorry, Sophia, that I was too late to save your brother. I hope you know that I would have."
She nodded. Marcus was cradled in her arms, and she was running her fingers through his hair.
"I know you didn't let him die on purpose.
You aren't that kind of man. He proved himself, didn't he?
I wish I could have told him how proud he made me when he came between Lydia and the alien monster.
Look how young he appears. He reminds me of the little boy he used to be.
Even his hair is too long like it was then.
He hated haircuts. How do I tell our parents?
How do I ask forgiveness for our disagreements when he is no longer able to hear? "
"He always knew you loved him," Lydia replied. "That's why he felt it was safe to argue with you. Go, Hesher, if you must. I'll take care of Sophia and the rest." She had seen the helicopter land nearby and realized it was there for Hesher and Kelan.
Unmindful of who saw, Hesher kissed Lydia's soft lips and swore, "I will see you soon. "
Kelan added, "I am positive that Rankin World Defense has been alerted to the occurrences and that they are now aware I am alive.
If the pilot of the helicopter will allow it, I will call in and demand transport for you and your crew to the headquarters in New York. Your safety will be guaranteed there."
"What happened in the other cities?" she asked. The question had been weighing heavily on her mind since they were ambushed. Were the others lucky enough to have backup by the military or had they been on their own?
"I do not know," Hesher said softly. "We have heard nothing."
Lydia could hear the pain and fear in his voice. He had sent them into a war he couldn't control. They were far from him, and that was not the usual situation when he fought. It was tearing him apart to be unaware of their fate.