Chapter 11
It isn't long after DaR's breakdown that I hear the shuttle coming over the ridge. Once it lands, several Cleaning bots are busy folding and straightening the entire area back up so that it will quickly return the way it was before we arrived here.
Justas everyone who is going to head back starts boarding the shuttle. I see Keida poke her finger in the middle of Danny's chest, clearly angry with him once again. Raven is standing at the bottom of the ramp watching and doesn't go on up the ramp until they start walking towards us together. Tordan, unaware of the tension between them, starts talking to Danny as soon as he steps on board. The tears Keida is struggling to hold back are visible to me, but I am at a loss as to what to do. They have a hard journey ahead of them, and it doesn't look like it's going to be an easy one. I am so focused on Keida that I almost don't notice SCOUT suddenly appear.
"CommanderDaR, you have an urgent message coming in from Xuias."
"Put it on the holo comm."
Zura'stear-streaked face appears on the screen, but the image is breaking up. Her words are even jumbled, and it takes a second for me to understand what she is saying. "DaR, … you must come right away! They … are going to … execute him … first light."
Theholo comm goes black. "Can you get her back online, SCOUT?"
"NoCommander, and as of right now. I cannot pinpoint the exact time this was even sent. The message wasn't transmitted through Xuias' open comm system. Zura hacked into a security satellite above their planet to send this directly to me. As distressed as she appeared, I am assuming she was forced to do so, it was the only way she knew for sure you would get the message."
DaRlooks back at me. "Sweetheart, do your thing, the girls and I will be fine."
"I will drop you all off safely at the huts before heading there. You are not walking back out of this forest without me. Tordan, XuL?" All he has to say is their names that they immediately jump to what needs done next. Tordan always accompanies DaR on any world issues, but I am going to assume DaR asked XuL because it is his mother's home planet. Xuias is the only planet where DaR had multiple sons. XuL and OrO were both born to Orc mothers.
"Father, I will get the coordinates for the quickest route there and see if I can contact anyone concerning this so that we are not coming in blind to the circumstances."
Tordansimply nods his head before settling down in the pilot's seat. His large hands fly over the panel in front of him as the shuttle lifts off. What took us hours to walk was only minutes this time.
DaRhas spent the last few minutes talking to Danny and AvX. I am sure it is concerning the rest of us girls. When the shuttle lands and the doors open. I can tell that Keida wants to ask DaR something as Zura and her have become quite close with her training. XuL must have noticed her hanging back when we were all walking down the ramp.
"Keida, I need you to watch over your mother until I return. I know you have a million questions, but you know as much as I do right now. I promise the moment I know more I will comm you." He pulls her close, hugging her tightly before kissing the top of her head.
Britstands by, watching a worried look on her face. "You take care of yourself."
"I will return before you realize I am gone."
Idon't hear the rest of their conversation because DaR's large hand turns me back towards him. "You stay here and enjoy the time we had left on the rental. I have no idea how long I will be gone, but hopefully, this will be a quick trip. SAGE and SCOUT will keep you informed at all times, and AvX is going to stay close."
Hugginghim tightly, I make myself let go of him, each time he leaves it gets harder. "Who do you think Zura was referring to?"
"It must be OrO. SCOUT said that his comm unit isn't responding either. Something must be blocking it, or it's been removed. I have to go, as much as I hate to."
Hesitant, I step back and say, "Be careful and make sure to come back to me. I love you, my big alien man."
"I love you, my Kira."
THEEND