Chapter 28

I hear them as we make our way out of the tunnel. "Where is your father, you were notified of our arrival. I expected him to be here to greet us."

"I am here, DaR, you can quit harassing my daughter now."

SiNmists past me, reappearing inches in front of his mate. Watching her fuss over him as he holds her in his arms has me gritting my teeth. DaR points at me as he walks closer.

"ZoD … me and you need to talk. Why haven't you contacted us before this?"

Histone only makes me angrier. "I don't have time to discuss this with you, DaR. SiN knows what's going on, he will fill you in. I am only here to restock on supplies before I head back out."

"You will stay here until we have a direct plan of action."

Igrab him by the throat and slam him against the wall. I can see the black things on his arms move up and down, while his eyes flash red. "You are not my Commander, nor my boss, DaR. My mate is out there, nothing you can do or say will keep me here."

Asmall hand on my arm has me looking down. "Release him this instant before I smack the ever living shit out of you." I almost smile when I hear the fire in this little human female's voice, that is, before I realize what I am seeing. Lord of Light, she is even smaller than my Tessa. I release DaR without realizing it only to grab her, lifting her up into his arms.

"DaR, what have you done? You need to leave immediately. She is not safe here." The sound of other voices has me looking back. "Lord of Light, how stupid are you? Get these females off this planet at once!"

DaRreaches over, grabbing me by the back of the neck making me look him in the eye. "ZoD, they are in no danger. I understand your concerns, but you need to calm the frack down and let us help you. One more thing, if you ever grab me like that again, I will break your arms. You have been warned. Now let's start this conversation again. We were only able to pull a limited amount of information from your servers. Is there anywhere you can show SCOUT your research?"

"He is here?"

"Along with several others; if you look past the females, you will see their mates standing directly behind them."

"Why should I show you anything? I don't trust you, DaR. You and the Elders set me up with SiN and I don't appreciate being treated like a criminal."

"Then don't behave like one. If you had made it clear to the Elders what you were facing out here, none of this would have occurred."

"The frack it would. I did go, they sent me off with a wave of a hand. They don't care about this part of the sector. It's not profitable to them, it's full of pirates and prisons. We are all expendable out here. They wouldn't even talk to me, DaR. Told me if I couldn't handle the issues in my sector, they would find someone who could. After their kind words, I have been trying my very best to do just that.

"Don't you come out here all judgmental when you are not the one who has been losing his loved ones to an invasive species that can't be killed unless I drain your precious females? If my people realize these delicate creatures you are holding are the answer to keep from losing their younglings, who do you think is going to lose? They outnumber you all ten to one, DaR. Now take my advice and get the frack out of here, while you still can."

"ZoD, we are not going anywhere, so you might as well give us the information needed to help you."

"Fine, it's your loss. I have a secret lab where the Chilten have been sending all their research. I will stay long enough to get you started; then I am leaving." When he starts to protest, I get right up in his face. "If it was your mate out there how long would you allow others to keep you DaR? Think on that for a moment … follow me."

Ican see the question in Raya's eyes when multiple unknowns start following me into the control center. "DaR, this is my daughter, Raya."

"I thought I heard you mention that earlier, but I wasn't sure. You have daughters?"

"I do, three actually, and one son."

"I am impressed. Hopefully, you have an easier time with them than I do with all my males."

"I wish … Raya is as opinionated as she is fierce. Elexa, my second oldest, has this look that makes you feel like a youngling in trouble. Zllera is my youngest, she has such a kind and gentle soul … She was taken at the same time as my Tessa, and I am torn because I know she needs me, but so does Tessa. I realize now that if you had not sent SiN out when you did, he may not have been here to save her or the other youngling. I seem to be full of contradictions this rising."

Partof the wall slides out and I motion for them to proceed on in. The place becomes packed quickly. The one with the wings hesitates before entering into the small space. His female is even more delicate than the others, her coloring is drastic with hair the color of darkness and eyes the brightest blue I have ever witnessed.

"Father, Katerine and I are going to have a look around, I am not going to fit in there."

"That's fine, RaZ. I will be expecting your report."

"Raya, would you accompany them, and please let me know how Zllera is?"

"She was resting last time I checked, Father. However, the little one has been practically inconsolable as all she says is Tessa over and over. Onyx ran into a few Waldrin scouts on the way back and has a few lacerations, but Elexa is tending to him. This is where I was when they all landed … unauthorized."

Ihear one of the males hide a laugh behind a cough behind me. "How many sons did you bring with you, DaR?"

"Only three, you just met RaZ and his mate, Katherine. This big lug standing next to me is SoL. He is now the active Commander of Falcor, this is his mate, Alana. Of course, you already know SiN and his mate, Jade. You're acquainted with GeneralTordan, but the little one he is holding so protectively is Luna. Zura is a guard from Xuias. She opted to stay on the ship when we first landed as a backup if needed. If it becomes necessary, I will send out for more, they will come. The only one not within a rising away is EvO. He is still investigating a Nebula but should be returning to our sector at any time. Now let's get to business. SCOUT, do you have an update?"

Ijerk back when a small holo form appears before me. "CommanderZoD, do you have a live specimen of the creatures you've been fighting?"

"I do. Lord of Light knows we have thrown everything at, and it just keeps growing." I hit a button, and a tube rolls out. The wiggling mass has all the females stepping back and the males getting closer. "This was originally an arm, as you can see it is now a fully functional Waldrin."

SCOUTcircles around the tube. "I have downloaded all the research and if what I have received is correct. The only thing that destroys them is human blood, is that accurate Commander?"

"Yes, we tested thousands of other species with no effect, and before you give me that look DaR. They were all compensated before returned to their homes. We were able to test a single human, but before the results could be finalized. She escaped when the other females rioted at the facility. However, we did get enough to verify that there is some element in their blood that can destroy the Waldrin."

SiNlooks away, clearing his throat, he pulls his mate closer, and a memory of the female that escaped flashes through my mind. I caught a glimpse of the female at the facility, but not enough to remember her clearly. However, they are both acting suspiciously, and this makes me wonder what more they know of this occurrence. "Is there something you would like to tell me, SiN?"

"Nope, not right now. Go on with the worm thing."

SCOUT'svoice raising slightly has everyone looking back again. "I was going to take samples, but if what you say is correct CommanderZoD, then I don't want to create more. You are correct though, Commander, and your researchers were on the right track, human blood will destroy them. I have seen the recordings from the PleasurePlanet where three of their Royals practically dissolved when they attempted to feed from Ivy. However, Kira brought up a much safer option that I would like to attempt if you don't mind."

"You have my permission to proceed, SCOUT. I will leave you all to it, I have other matters to attend to."

"CommanderZoD, this will only take a moment. If it works, we will need your assistance. Kira, did you bring the salt container with you?"

"Yeah, what do you want me to do?"

"Give the shaker to SoL." She hands it over.

"CommanderSoL, if you would assist me with this. Due to Zodiqua being so far away from my main processor. I am being stretched slightly and require you to be my hands. I picked you specifically because your skin is the thickest. TheWaldrin should not be able to puncture it without extreme force. I am going to open the container part way and I simply want you to shake some of the salt onto it."

SoLnods his head. "Simple enough."

Whenhis mate starts to walk forward. He puts an arm in front of her, blocking her from going any closer. The moment the container opens SoL shakes the small white substance on it, and then SCOUT closes the lid back. I was just about to turn away when it started hitting the glass. Its entire body stiffened out suddenly only to melt into a puddle of goo at the bottom. I jerk the container open, making sure my eyes are not deceiving me and another one is growing in its place, but it is gone. "Will someone please explain this to me?"

SCOUTis hovering around the container. "We owe this knowledge to the females. Apparently, there were things on Earth called slugs that the girls were all disgusted by. A way for them to get rid of them was to use this substance. It's called salt. It was an easily obtained substance in their world. Unfortunately, it's a rare mineral in ours. So how do we duplicate it and how can we do the most damage once we do?"

"You said this mineral is called salt?"

"Yes, CommanderZoD."

"Lord of Light, the small unknown miracles that fall into your lap from time to time. I know where there is a huge deposit of this. I am not sure if it's in the form you need, or even if we can use what is there, but to make a long story short, there is a location in the middle of the third desert where the entire back wall is lined in what Tessa called salt."

DaRis the first one to speak up. "How do we get there?"

"I would need to show you. No one else here knows the location, but what if it's not the same substance?"

"We won't know until we look, ZoD. How far away is it?"

"We will need to take the speeders."

Tordanspeaks up when I start to leave the room. "Wait, a minute ZoD. How are you going to get it back here? We are going to need a substantial amount of this stuff. Especially if the Waldrin's numbers are as great as you say they are."

"The speeders were not designed for hauling, but that's the only vehicle we have that can withstand the sands. If it proves to be the same salt that was used here, we will have to make hundreds of trips back and forth."

Isee Tordan look over at SoL. "That would be way too time consuming, and I don't believe you or your people are willing to wait any longer than necessary. You get us to that salt deposit, and I will get it back here."

WhileI had been discussing this with Tordan. I see SoL turn away, talking to someone. "Explorer, I need you to do a complete planetary scan. We are looking for a series of tunnels close to this location, there may be a mass convened together. If you find them do not alert them to your presence or the drones that you are using. A human may also be in their mix, so her body heat may stand out compared to the others. Also, send down the Wonderer, but make sure that her cargo area is cleared before you do. If your scans pick up any large deposits of salt, notify me immediately."

"ConfirmedCommander, I will contact you when the Wonderer is inbound."

Itseems like everyone is talking all at once. "How many speeders are we going to need, DaR?"

Helooks away from his mate and towards me. Only for her to smack his chest lightly, for him to pay attention to whatever she is saying quietly. His eyes flash red and his runes are dancing all over his chest as he listens to her soft words. I can tell he is not happy with his little mate at the moment, but she is adamant about whatever it is. Tordan and SoL are both scrolling through the holo records rapidly. Tordan stops on an area and highlights the wording before turning towards the rest of us.

"DaR, SoL and I are planning on staying here with SCOUT. We need more information about these Waldrin, so I am going to read through some of this research while you all are gone. Since we know salt can be ground down. I may have an idea for a primitive weapon that might help carry it in bigger quantities. CommanderZoD, I will need full access to your armory and to anyone who will be heading into the battle with us."

Rayalooks over at me when she hears him say this. I know she is not happy with all these outsiders barging in, but right now. AllI can think of is that my Tessa is out there all alone, and if they will help me get to her, then they can have anything they want.

"I am leaving in three minutes, with or without you, DaR. Make sure the younglings are on the surface and the others in the secured areas."

"Yes, Father."

Iam shocked Raya doesn't try to dispute this with me, but instead turns to do as I ask. Just as I start out the door it's easy to see that DaR is clearly arguing with his little mate and by the looks of it, he is losing. I take off down the tunnel, towards the docking bay. A tall, muscular, green Orc female standing just inside the doorway of the shuttle catches my attention. She doesn't say a word to me, simply watches me walk by.

Tobe an Orc, there is no missing her beauty or her strength. IfI had met her risings ago, I may have stopped and introduced myself. I can hear the others coming up behind me as I pull my speeder out of its charging port. Grabbing my cloak that is packed away into its storage container, I pull my glasses out. My thoughts are so distracted I didn't even notice the male with the wings approaching me.

"CanI grab any of these cloaks? I'm not willing to take Katherine unless she is covered up. Those sands look brutal on the surface."

"They are. I am not sure your wings will do well. The winds and air currents are volatile."

"Oh, I am not going to fly. I was warned before our arrival not to, but MissThing didn't say anything about a speeder. I'mRaZ, by the way. What type of weight limit do these babies have? Can they carry multiple people? My wings are a lot heavier than they look."

"I believe the speeder will carry you without issues. They are an important way of life for us, so they are inspected and repaired after each trip. None of us want to have a mechanical issue on the surface. Where is your mate?"

"Oh, she'll be here. She was checking to see if Jade needed any help. MyKatherine is never far from my arms."

DaRcomes agitatedly around the corner, his runes pulsing red as his Symbots walk up and down his arms. His small mate is walking calmly beside him. She looks up at RaZ and I see him wink at her. She bites her bottom lip, trying not to smile back. RaZ pulls out a speeder from the wall and hands her the cloak he has in his hand before turning around grabbing another.

"You better put this on, Momma dearest. Dear old Dad is fussy enough already; we could never stand him if you managed to get a scratch."

"I won't need it, RaZ, but thank you dear for looking out for me like always. Keep this one for Katherine. Your father is not happy with me accompanying you all on the surface. But none of you know what you're looking for, and for once, I am not staying behind. Worms are not my thing, so I am either going with him or on my own." She glances up at DaR who is hovering practically on top of her.

"Kira!" DaR growls out.

"We have already discussed this, DaR, and I have counted to three. Now gentlemen, let's get going."

Ireach a cloak out towards her. "Mistress, you will need a covering and goggles. The sands will tear your delicate flesh all to pieces."

"I appreciate your concern also ZoD, but I have my own protectors."

Sheno more says that than her entire body is covered in a solid black mass. Her eyes even have a clear film over them. DaR soon appears the same behind her. He mounts the speeder first, and just as he starts to put her in front of him. He changes his mind and places her safely behind his larger frame. I watch as she tucks herself in close, wrapping her small arms tightly around his waist.

Hepulls up beside me, motioning for me to go on. Just as I start to head out, I see RaZ's mate instantly appear beside him. He grabs her playfully. "Hello, sweet thing, you wanna go out?"

"You're kinda cute, I might be available for the evening, but we will have to sneak out; my mate is very territorial."

"Well hop on, let me take you for a ride, he doesn't scare me." RaZ wraps her up quickly before placing her in front of him as his large wings take up all the room behind him.

Theirplayacting brings a smile to my face but I refuse to wait another moment. I take off, pushing my speeder to its maximum speed as we fly through the fields of sand. Several times, I feel like Tessa is right under me, but I know that's not true. The caves don't continue out into this area. My mind wonders as I pray to the Lord of Light that we get to her in time. It's not even been a full rising yet, but the hours are becoming desperately long. AsI try to find a way to save her and my people.

Imust have been wound up in my own thoughts longer than I realized. WhenI suddenly notice the cave entrance is right over the next ridge. I glance over at the other speeders. Both are lined up perfectly so that none of us are eating the dirt of the one in front of it.

Imotion for them to slow down and follow me in a single file. There is no missing the gasps of the females once we are all fully inside the cavern. Pulling up to a stop, I wait for them all to do the same. RaZ's mate is on the ground before he completely stops. As he slides off his speeder, he grabs Kira, helping her dismount. The moment her feet touch the ground, her black covering is gone. DaR must have noticed me watching her as a slight growl echoes throughout the area. I bite back my smile instantly wondering if I would have reacted the same if it had been my Tessa being watched by another. The moment everyone is ready I motion them forward.

"Tessa called this place a hidden gem. None knew of it, but me and mother until recently. When we first arrived, I warned Tessa not to get any water in her mouth because it tastes bad. She was the one who informed me later on that it was the salt along the back wall that was making it taste that way. Let me show you."

Thesuns are past their peak, making the cavern darker than usual. So, I light one of the wall lanterns before motioning them to follow behind me. When the hot spring came into sight, ohs and ahhhs were heard all around.

RaZ'stiny mate spins around in front of me. "Lord, it's straight out of a fairy tale. ZoD, this is beautiful. I don't blame you for keeping it to yourself. RaZ, I want one."

Hejust shrugs as he follows behind her and I can't help but smile at her exuberance. "The substance we seek is against the back wall."

Idon't even have time to blink that Katherine is standing right next to it. "Kira, come here, have you ever seen salt in this form? I mean I don't know what I had pictured in my mind, but shiny crystals over a foot long in length were not it."

"Katherine, dear, I didn't expect it to be in a saltshaker, if that's what you're asking. My goodness, look at all this. DaR, I am sure it can be used in this state, but if it was ground up, it would go much further. ZoD, do your people use this mineral? Or have a way to grind it up?"

"No, I didn't even know what it was until I brought Tessa here. The taste is so vile I would have never thought it was worth anything."

"Salt was used daily back home. If it grows in such abundance here, I am sure it does in other places also on your planet. OK, now that we have found it, how are we going to get it out of here without destroying the area because that would be a shame?"

Theground shakes slightly beneath our feet and before I can say anything DaR's comm unit dings. "Father, the Wonderer has sat down at the entrance of the cave system you are in. The salt deposit runs for meters along a sealed passage that has a small opening on the far side of the current mountain range you are inside. I can send out the Repair bots to start recovering it at that location. It will be easier to harvest there."

DaRlooks over at me, and I nod yes. "Go ahead to the alternate location, SoL. Our current area will remain an option only if the other one is inaccessible. We will be heading back in a few. Ladies, I know you are enjoying the beauty of the area, but we have done what was needed. ZoD might it be possible that we might return at a later date?"

"Absolutely. I realized recently that places like these should be enjoyed, not hidden away. DaR do you all need anything else?"

"Not that I know of."

"Then let's get back."