Chapter 33

It's almost been an entire rotation since Tessa was taken, but it feels so much longer. I look around at the others who are putting their lives on the line, and I struggle to find words of encouragement before we head into battle.

Kirais passing out the clear respirators, making sure everyone has them on properly before she goes to the next one. She is taking the time to talk to each person like she has known them all her life. Her soft and caring nature just compliments DaR's hard and controlling one.

Therifle I have in my hand feels oddly light, as the new ammunition is practically weightless. I adjust the ammo pack on my shoulders, which SCOUT designed to carry hundreds of rounds of ammunition. I have no idea how they have pulled this off so quickly, but here we stand, forty-three of us heavily armed, with multiple weapons strapped to our bodies.

OnceKira is done with the respirators, she walks out in front of us and pushes the button on the comm units we are wearing in our ears.

"Can you guys all hear me? Wave if you can."

Ican't hold back the smile on my face as they all wave at her enthusiastically, DaR even throws her a kiss.

"Ok, looks like I have been assigned to be the eyes for you guys and I hope I don't let any of you down. Now let's go whip some worm ass!" DaR walks up to her, shaking his head laughing as everyone cheers behind her. I see Raya looking for me and I head up front, motioning for her to join me.

Theplace becomes eerily quiet when I hold my hand up. "This is our last chance. You all know what's at stake here. Some of us won't come back, but I refuse to lay down and allow them to continue their reign of terror upon our people. I have failed you all by not asking for assistance before, but look around at the ones willing to fight by your side now. AndI believe Kira said it best …. let's go whip some worm ass!"

Everyonecheers again, and before Raya can turn away. I grab her arm. "You stay close to me until we see if this is going to work." When she starts to say something, I put my fingers over her lips. "I can't lose you, Raya; if you see this ammunition start to fail you get as many as you can out." She nods, and I can tell her thoughts are all over the place. "Raya?"

"Yes, Father?"

"You are more than I deserve in a child, and I am so proud of the female you have grown to be. Your grandmother is dancing on the stars, watching over you from above." In an unusual display of affection, she runs back, hugging me tightly before returning to where the Orc female and a few others are gathered. DaR's voice has me turning away from her.

"After witnessing that, I am now glad to only have males. IfI had any daughters of my own, I would have them locked up under guard at all times. Lord of Light knows having our Keida is enough to worry about. However, I envy the way you have encouraged their pursuits in life, ZoD. You are a stronger male than I am. You ready to go get your mate and kick some worm ass as my Kira says?"

"Let's do this."

DaRgives a signal and I see SiN dart out with Kira first. OurComm units light up showing us what tunnels to head into according to where we were assigned. Ten of us will walk right up to them while the other comes at them from behind.

Thecaverns they have been living in are about a mile away in distance and the routes are tight. Some are so snug, there are a few places I am not sure SoL is going to be able to make it through. I see DaR's comm unit light up and he smiles, shaking his head before realizing I am looking over at him.

"This is why you never go to battle with your mate. She sends a kissy face, right after telling me that SiN has them all in position. I don't understand anything else she says here, but it's something about a tree snuggling up with her and Luna."

"HasSiN found Tessa yet?"

"I have heard nothing."

Despitemy attempts to focus on Tessa several times, I have felt nothing. I cannot bring myself to believe that she is gone. Even though it has felt like forever, we've managed to get this all together rather quickly, I just pray it's not too late for her …us.