Chapter 35

As soon asSoL clears the tunnel, he immediately starts firing his massive weapon. The flash instantly blinds the Waldrin, stopping them long enough for the salt to penetrate their bodies. The two male volunteers who offered to assist with loading the ammunition for the enormous weapon are having a hard time keeping up with him. He is laughing as if he is thoroughly enjoying himself, effortlessly plowing through the unsuspecting Waldrin.

"Kira, can you confirm it's working?" I yell out through the noise.

"Take ‘em down, do your thing, guys. They are wilting as we speak. It'sIndependenceDay on Zodiqua worms!"

Ihave no idea what half of that statement means, but it looks like we're a go. Raya and Zura split off with several others to my right while DaR and Tordan head towards the left. Kira is talking to everyone at once, as we all fire at will. TheWaldrin in the front are getting plowed down before they even realize what's happening. It doesn't take long before we are walking through piles of goo on the floor as we push forward.

Theirguards are trying to get through to us with shock sticks and a few phasers. Yet, they are caught off guard by a direct attack because they have always relied on their own natural bodily defenses to overcome other species. One of my guards gets separated from his group and before I can make my way to him. Zura lands in a crouch between them, sword in hand. BeforeI can scream for her to use her rifle she starts hacking away at them, thankfully this gives the guard and Raya time to take out the smaller ones forming before they can grow larger.

Shotsare being fired from above rapidly, so I know that has to be Tordan's mate Luna taking out the ones that are trying to sneak up behind us. "ZoD, there's about ten headed your way, trying to get behind SoL." Kira's voice has me turning, my rifle firing rapidly. Quickly, I run out of ammunition, and when my rifle locks open. I have to pull the smaller one I have strapped to my leg to finish them off. Once they're all down. I pause briefly to reload my equipment and then assume my position, ensuring that I cover SoL and provide support to my teammates who are helping him.

Witheach impact of his colossal salt grenades, the ground convulses violently, accompanied by the deafening screams of the dying Waldrin, creating a truly harrowing scene all around us. I can feel the heavy grains of salt falling from above just after one of the small drones fly overhead. There is so much movement going on everywhere it's hard to tell the live Waldrin from the dying.

DaRhas a huge grin on his face as he plows through a thick group who have tried to corner him. Tordan is hanging off an outcropping by his arm shooting single handed above DaR's head as they clear out the tunnels on that side.

"Everyone down," I hear Kira yell out, just as a ship launches, shooting out above our heads. The thought of any of them escaping sickens me, but RaZ is supposed to be watching the atmosphere from above, so hopefully they won't make it past him.

Icome to a sudden stop when I reach a set of gates. Ripping through them, I discover a few hidden Waldrin in the corners, mistakenly believing they can evade our detection. Once the area is cleared, I look for any trace of Tessa only to find nothing. The next few holding cells are a repeat of the first. AsI get closer to an outside opening, I find a torn garment with Tessa's blood on it. Gripping it tightly in my hand, I reach out, searching for her, only to find nothing. I haven't heard anything from SiN, and not knowing is eating me alive.

Distractedby my thoughts. One of the Waldrin guards sneaks up behind me and I grimace when a hot spear rams into my side. Without thinking of further injury, I grab the shock stick, tearing it out of my side while firing at the same time. Watching the Waldrin practically melt in front of me is pure pleasure. Although its screams of death will never repay the losses my people have suffered in their hands.

Withno regard for my injury, I return to my spot behind SoL. Happy to see that he has cleared a huge path before him with the help of Raya and Zura. Both females are covered in the goo of the Waldrin they are happily dispatching. Raya has a few open burns on her arm where the Waldrin's have shocked her, but it hasn't slowed her down any. "Girls, heads up there are a few on a ledge above you, Luna can't get a clear shot," Kira yells out.

Beforethe females can turn, I have already fired upon the ones trying to ambush them from above. DaR's tunnel is now clear and I can see him and Tordan pushing their way towards the pools to see if any of the Royals are hiding in the few pools that Alana has not destroyed yet. He informed me earlier that he would like to take one alive and I was dead set against it. However, I decided to allow him his request on one condition. It would not be allowed to live, no matter what.

It'seasy to see that we are quickly making a dent in their numbers, but we are still nowhere close to destroying them. Checking the ammunition in my bag, I find it almost empty. If mine is this low, I know the others are too. I give the signal to Kira for her to notify SiN we need more and start emptying the remainder of what I have into the ones now trying to get away. Some enter the tunnels only to be shoved back out by massive roots. Stunned by the sight, I stop to see what happens next. Lord of Light surely there is not another monster lurking near our homes.

SiNappears beside me, a new ammo pack in hand. "ZoD, don't look so worried; those are the good guys, and oh by the way, your girl is safe on the Wonderer. She was a little puny, but I am sure she will be fine. I kinda like being the good guy, I got to save the damsel in distress. Gotta go, as RaZ says … daddy dearest needs me."

Hiswords echo through my mind. Tessa is safe, so with that said, I now have a reason to get this over with as quickly as possible. My mate needs me … or maybe it's me craving her. Either way, I need this to end. Like a male possessed, I push past the others, destroying everything in my path as I go. Several more times, SiN has had to bring me more supplies, we are keeping him busy as all I see of him is a streak going past me from time to time.

Instantly, I duck down when an explosion that's slightly louder than all the others occurs. The sudden silence has me looking around, trying to make sure all is accounted for, only to find that we're all that's left standing. My arm drops wearily as I glance around for the next target. A random shot goes off from time to time, but mostly it's quiet.

"Kira, what do you see?" I ask on our comm unit.

"Raya and Zura and their crew have just finished clearing the few I could still see moving from up here. DaR and Tordan are watching a pool that Allana has dumped salt into several times because it's bubbling. Oh, what else, I can see SoL. He just put that cannon thing down and is rubbing his shoulder while talking to your men. From what I have been able to get from your guards who were protecting your people. They had a few small group breaks through, but they were also taken out. Hold on a second."

Theline goes silent while I walk around the edge of the cavern, making sure none are hiding in the shadows. The comm beeps and Kira comes back online.

"RaZ shot down four ships trying to leave the atmosphere and is headed back now. TheExplorer is doing a final scan of the area just to make sure there isn't a pocket of them hiding out anywhere."

"Do we have any injuries?"

"Everyone looks ok from up here. Some have a few burns or scratches, but as far as I can see no one is seriously hurt. Your daughter Raya and Zura made quite the team out there. Those two females were impressive to watch. That last big shot SoL sent off hit the ground so hard the fragments ricocheted back, leaving some nice cuts along his right side. He has already told Alana he needs to be petted."

Rayaand Zura are walking casually towards me, both of their salt rifles draped backwards over their shoulders.

"Father, you're leaking."

Inthe mix of all this, I had forgotten about the injury I received earlier. Reaching back, my hand comes away dark with fresh blood. Raya bends down to look at the wound before saying with a smile on her face. "I do believe you will live, but it still needs bandaging. I hear there is a ship docked just outside that opening right there, that has a nice med bay."

"You got this?"

"All over it, and if I don't. I have plenty of help. Go on, Father. Go check on your Tessa."

AsI start that way, I stop in my tracks when three large roots lower the females that have been above us this entire time to the floor. Kira pats the root, thanking it for helping and then it sinks back into the soil like it had never emerged.

Justas Kira starts towards DaR he holds his hand up, stopping her from coming any closer. Zura and Raya must have noticed also because they are suddenly standing in front of the smaller human females. The pool that had been bubbling now has a rising wave in the middle of it. Apparently, something is rising out of it.

Thebiggest WaldrinI have ever seen walks casually out of the water, its skin twitching from the salt, that has not destroyed it like all the others. DaR and Tordan stand fearlessly in front of it. I end up having to push past SoL and SiN who are flanking them from behind to get next to DaR.

"CommanderDaR, your reputation precedes you. I would have known you by your markings alone."

"Isn't that something because I have no frackin' idea who or what you are. WhatI do know though is, you invaded this planet, and have been using its people like your own personal buffet, that's not something we take kindly to."

"CommanderDaR, I am requesting immunity and a conference with your Elders. You have practically eradicated my entire race, and I know your laws. You are not allowed to be judge and jury. I have rights."

"You should have thought about that before you took the first person here. We don't accept ultimatums, but I will allow you to tell your side of the story. What was your plan here anyway, enlighten me."

"This planet has all my species need to flourish. I understand that we had no right to take the original inhabitants, but they required thinning out and my numbers needed replenished from extended travel in space."

"Where did you originate from?"

"I personally escaped a lab where I was created. I ate my creator and the entire crew before I realized I required flesh to survive and produce. Their ships were easily acquired as long as I saved a fleshly finger to activate them. From that point on, I have built my race larger and larger."

"So, what you are saying is that you were a lab created creature that became sentient and escaped? Where did you get your name?"

"It was the name of my creator."

"Do you have any other settlements elsewhere? I am simply asking so that we can give the accurate information to the Elders."

WhenI start to speak up, DaR stops me by lifting up his hand. "ZoD you will have your turn in a moment … Please continue, Waldrin."

"We had other locations at one time, but this has become our main base. I have sent some of the other Royals away in case this discussion is not effective."

"Just so that we are clear, you are the original organism of your species. You liberated yourself from the ones who designed you, and you were feeding off the locals in order to overtake this planet. Then you intended to push your forces forward until the Elders recognized you as an active species. Correct?"

"In lesser words. Yes, that is correct."

DaRlooks over at me and then back to the RoyalWaldrin, standing arrogantly at the edge of the pool. "ZoD, would you like to do the honors?"

Idon't ask a question or permission. I simply raise my rifle and empty every round I have left in it at the Waldrin standing before me. Its large mass sways when my weapon shuts off, its multiple eyes looking everywhere. It acts shocked like it can't comprehend what just happened to it.

Itstumbles forward towards DaR, its long multiple arms reaching out for him. "You lied to me."

"I didn't lie, nor promise you anything, worm. I am judge and jury, and your species' actions have condemned you all to death." DaR raises a weapon I have not seen before, aiming it right at the middle of the Waldrin still trying to walk forward. A single red beam leaves the end of the gun and the Waldrin explodes into a million liquified pieces. Instantly, Alana's drones dump salt upon the pieces, instantly dissolving them into nothing.

DaRmotions for me to go and as I am heading towards the outer entrance. I can hear my people's cheers and laughter all around. It almost doesn't feel real. We have been battling them for so long. Now, I am not sure what I'm supposed to do.