Jingo looked at Scotty and said, You were right. Shes worth the risk. He turned to Julie and said, Well continue this later, but we should eat before it gets too dark. Thank you for helping us.
Julie smiled, If you are going to free my parents, Ill do anything you ask.
Scotty smiled. She still had parents. He envied her. They brought their food pouches down and prepared a meal as they listened to the Zord feed close by.
Julie kept stealing glances at Scotty, wondering.
After eating Jingo said, You have the first watch. Im taking a nap.
Go ahead. Scotty walked out to the clearing, sat down next to a tree, and leaned back on its trunk. He looked up at the stars and felt their pull.
Julie walked up and said, Do you mind if I join you?
No, have a seat.
Julie looked up at the stars and said, So many, so close, yet so far.
Scotty looked at her quickly, Where did you hear that?
Julie looked at him and said, I heard it in my mind when I was just a child. It is so true. She looked up again and said, We were once all together. Now were isolated from each other. Its such a tragedy.
Scotty looked at the sky and said, Yes it is. Maybe we can do something about it.
She looked at him and thought. Can it be true? How can it be true? She moved next to him, lifted his arm, snuggled under it and fell asleep.
Scotty was shocked when she came next to him but he had to admit, she felt nice under his arm. Jingo looked at them through barely open eyes as he pretended to sleep. Scotty didnt show his normal discomfort around this female. He was staring at the stars and he wouldnt do that if he was on edge. Could this female be the one for him? He needs love in his life. Jingo closed his eyes and feel asleep seeing his baby girls face.
Vring listened in on their thoughts and decided that the females thoughts would remain private. He saw no way for her dream to become reality. He thought a moment and realized he also never thought the eggs could be defended either. He paused and thought Naaahhh. Never happen.
The group mounted the next morning and Julie heard the other Zord ask, Hey, Vring; do you want me to carry the extra passenger on the next leg of the trip?
Julie didnt want to change. She heard, Get outta here. She weighs less than my claws. Besides, Jingo will talk her to death.
Hey, I heard that!
No kidding. Sorry, gotta go.
Vring lifted and Cezee rose right behind him.
Scotty was shaking and Julie asked, Are you ok?
Yes, Im trying to not let Jingo see me laughing. That Cainth can talk.
Julie started chuckling, Ive seen that.
Scotty?
Yes, Vring?
Jingo just asked me a question and I didnt know how to answer him.
What was that?
He seems to think that Red Hair is going to have to come back with us when we move against the Yellow Skins.
Scotty said, I am not going to allow her to be placed in danger. Why would he think that?
Hold on, Ill ask.
He says that we are going to need to get the slaves to work with us to avoid them being slaughtered by the Yellow Skins. If we dont use her, it could get complicated making a plan to avoid a huge loss of life.
Julie listened to the back and forth and said, I will come back. Even if I die, the effort will be worth it. You cant make me stay behind.
Yes I can! Scotty paused and sighed, But he knows better than I what we should do. He paused again and said, Julie, I dont want to see you harmed.
Julie saw he liked her more than just a friend. She smiled and said, Then close your eyes. Im coming back.
Scotty, if she is, then she needs a Zecka.
Youre right. Ill get Kess working on it when we get back. I still want to see if we can come up with another plan.
Ive seen his initial plan and it appears to be sound. Someone is going to have to communicate with the slave compound that cannot be seen by the guard with the blaster. Do you think they will recognize your voice?
Scotty remained silent. He didnt want to risk losing Julie. The thought frightened him. He shook his head not understanding why.
Julie held on to him and saw his tension. Ill be careful, Scotty. I dont want to lose you, either.
Scottys tension vanished. He looked over his shoulder and saw her looking at him. He reached down to his waist and squeezed her hand, then turned and watched the ground flying by far below. Julie held tighter and put her head on his back.
Vring are we going to stop for the night?
We think we should go straight to the community and rest there. The Torg herds in this area close to our home are still enormous. If youre ok with it, we think we should fly straight through and rest a day at home.
Scotty looked down and saw huge numbers of Torg and said, Youre right. How long before we arrive?
Were going to pick up speed and arrive there at midnight. We have enough energy to make the trip. We will need some time to rest after the effort, but one day should do it.
Scotty looked over his shoulder and said, Are you all right? Do you need a break?
No, Ive grown accustomed to Vrings motions and Ill be fine until we arrive.
You dont need to go to the woods?
Julie punched Scotty in the back, I said Ill be fine. Besides, Ive found going to the woods can lead to pretty good things.
Scotty felt his heart beat faster. Hang on, Julie! When Vring says hes going to pick up speed, hes not kidding.
Vring said, Ready?
Scotty leaned forward and Julie ducked behind him, When you are.
Julie lost her breath. The Zord accelerated at an unbelievable rate and the ground below became a blur. She heard Cezee say, Show off!
Vring laughed, Well see you at home.
Scotty saw the three mountains ahead in the moonlight and knew they were getting close. He was tired and he knew Julie had to be exhausted. Vring said, Bleath and the elders are waiting for you at White Hair. Well stop there and then go rest, ok?
Thats fine. Itll be good to see your father.
Julie held on as Vring slowed and began gliding toward the center mountain ahead. Why did he call it White Hair?
Ill explain later. Its not really important.
Vring said, Mr. Modesty here doesnt want to tell you that we named it for him.
Vring!
Ok, ok.
Named after you?
Yes, we helped them with an issue. The other two mountains are named after Jingo.
Vring snickered in their thoughts.
Vriiing?
Julie smiled. Scotty was being modest. I wonder what he did.
They landed and Scotty introduced her to the largest creature she had ever seen in her life. It was larger than any creature she had ever imagined, and she had imagined some huge ones. As Scotty talked with the Giant Zord, she walked away and found a rock to sit on. She was there about an hour when she felt a small nudge, turned, and saw a ten-foot-long Zord staring up at her. Julie smiled and knew this was a child, Yes?
She heard the child being tentative, May I ask you a question?
Certainly.
The small Zord looked up the hill at Scotty and then looked at Julie, Are you White Hairs mate?
Julie laughed and said, No. He rescued me from the lands north of here.
The small Zord showed his disappointment and turned to go. Hey, why are you so disappointed?
The Zord turned and said, All of us that survived the Night of the Torg, long to carry White Hairs children when we grow up.
Why?
The honor of being a chosen flyer of his children would be the greatest honor we could ever have.
Julie looked up the hill at Scotty and saw how the Zord gave him huge respect. She turned to the small Zord and asked, What is the Night of the Torg?