“You’re right.” Dalhousie looked over to me and Mary, and I got that almost-regular sinking feeling in my gut. “The colony ship must go now as planned. It’s even more imperative. As for the hybrids, we need to tail them, stop them at any cost. They’re in the original, unaltered model of ship. Ours will be able to track it anywhere, and they won’t even know you’re coming.”
“Wait. You’re coming? Who do you mean when you say ‘you’re’?” Mary asked.
“I need the best on this. We can’t take any chances. Mary, you’ve flown the ships before, and have experience in fighting on Earth in jets and out there in space. Plus, you’ve been practicing these last few weeks. You know that ship. And Dean has the kind of mind that will keep you guys on top of them, one step ahead.” Dalhousie sounded much more confident about our chances than I did.
“Don’t you guys have people for this kind of thing?” This from Magnus, who didn’t look very happy to have his wedding night interrupted.
Heart spoke up finally. “We do. That’s why Slate’s going with you, and Clare. Slate is as big as an ox and will be your feet on the street, should it come to that. Clare will be your engineer wizard, able to fix things, and adapt the ship’s needs to yours. The longer we talk about this, the farther they get from Earth. You’re Earth Defense now, so do your job. Defend Earth!” He was red-faced by the end of it, and so was Magnus. He looked like he wanted to punch the older man. Hell, so did I.
“Look, no one is questioning your integrity. We need you guys again. Earth needs you.” Patrice Dalhousie stood up now, looking Mary right in the eyes, then me.
“We better get going, then. Dean, you can stay back if you like,” Mary said, breaking my heart a bit.
“You don’t want me to go with you?” I asked.
“Of course I do! I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” she said, grabbing my hand.
“Nothing’s going to happen to either of us. We can go stop them and be back sooner than you thought possible.” I said the words but didn’t believe them even as they left my mouth.
“Then it’s settled. You guys leave now,” Dalhousie said, a tired look in her eyes.
It was midnight by the time we packed up our few belongings, and the crews at the base loaded the ship with enough supplies to last a long time. Heart never did tell us how much food they loaded on, but the storage area had a lot of crates in it. He told us Slate knew what it all was, and since we didn’t have time to go over the itinerary, we trusted they were prepared for this.
“I can’t believe you guys are leaving. And before us!” Magnus said, walking with us to the ship. He was still in his tuxedo, the tie conspicuously missing.
Carey followed alongside us, wagging his tail. I couldn’t believe that after all we’d been through, I had to leave him. I couldn’t bring him on the ship with us. It was a dangerous trip, not one for my new best friend to tag along on.
I had an idea. “Magnus, would you take Carey with you?” I hated to ask, but I had to.
He looked at me, his features softening. “Dean, are you sure? He could stay here. I’m sure you’ll be back in no time.”
“But what if we’re not? What if something happens to us out there?”
“It won’t. I know you guys.”
“But what if? We could be following them a long way. To God knows where. Just take him, please.” My heart was freezing up at having to pawn off the little guy. He meant so much to me.
“Of course I will, buddy. We love the little rascal too. When it’s all over, come to Proxima, and he’s all yours again.” Magnus clapped me on the shoulder. His words rang a finality over my mind, and I worried I’d never see Carey again. That I’d never see any of them again.
I took a knee and Carey rubbed his face into my stomach. He loved it when I got down to his level. He licked my face, and I laughed, giving him one last big hug before I left. At that moment, I told myself I would get back, stop the Bhlat threat, and make it to Proxima to see my friends again and get Carey.
Mary walked up, pack slung over her shoulder. She seemed to get the sense of what transpired, and she gave Carey a big hug, letting his sloppy tongue give her a lick before leaving.
“Nat, I also need you to watch over my sister. She was supposed to get here today for the party, but they were delayed. I still can’t believe my little sister is going with you guys. Take care of her. Please,” I said, wishing I could see her just one last time before leaving.
“Of course. If she’s anything like you, we’ll have a lot to pick on her about.” This from Magnus. “Dean, take these.” He passed me a small cloth bag covertly. I snuck a peek and saw some of the green gem jewelry used to counter the Kraski beams. “You never know when you’re going to need them.” I spotted my pendant in there and wondered how he’d managed to pilfer them.
“Goodbye, guys,” Mary said, and everyone got in for a last hug.
Mae approached, and I went in to give her a hug.
“What are you doing?” she asked. I shrugged, taken aback. “I’m going with you.”
“Did Dalhousie approve this?” Mary asked.
“I don’t give a damn. I’m coming with you. They’re hybrids, and that makes them my responsibility. I know them, can understand their motives. So I’m going.”
It made sense, and to be honest, I was happy to have her along. Mae had proven herself invaluable many times over.
Clare was on board and called to us from the top of the ramp. It was time to go.
Dalhousie was nowhere in sight, and when I spotted Heart arriving on his cart, I pushed Mae forward onto the angled ramp. “Get on the ship,” I said through clenched teeth.
She didn’t argue or say anything, just ran up the length into the ship, limping on her left leg ever so slightly. I guessed it hurt more than she was letting on.
Magnus stood at the base of the ship, arms crossed, looking like a guard.
Heart’s cart stopped, the soldier staying in the driver’s seat.
“You have a monumental task ahead of you. Take heed in knowing we’ll do what we can to protect Earth, should anything go wrong on your mission. The colony vessel will be leaving tomorrow, and that brings new hope into our situation. Sorry for the speech.” He rubbed his temple with his hand. “This is all just so important. I couldn’t ask for better people to call on. And I mean that.”
His words touched me, but at the same time, I wished he were speaking to someone else.
“We’ll do what needs to be done, General,” Mary said.
“Joshua. Call me Josh,” he said before turning around and heading back to the cart. “Slate, take care of them for me. For all of us.” The big man emerged from the ship a few steps and saluted his general before heading back inside.
Dust was kicked up and the general was off, leaving a few people milling about, loading the last of the supplies.
“I guess this is goodbye. See you on the other side.” I scratched Carey behind the ear one last time, and when he started to follow me up the ramp, Natalia grabbed his collar, pulling him back and crouching down with him. His head turned sideways, wondering what was going on.
Mary was in front of me, and she patted me on the arm. We turned around, waving at our friends while the ramp lifted. Before it shut completely, I heard one last bark from Carey, and I wanted nothing more than to get back out and tell them to hunt the hybrids down themselves.
“We’ll be back soon,” Mary said, the ever-caring fiancée. If she was okay with it all, what use was there in me moping about?