by Peter Lok
The two quickly walked up the cargo ramp into the plane. Behind them, the crew started winching Joshua’s HARM onboard. Well forward, the medic had set up an aid station and was working on the wounded. He even had a reluctant Penny lying down so they could check her over.
The first thing that Joshua saw was Angie was laying on a stretcher. Her armour had been stripped off and she was bandaged around her chest with an IV drip set up next to her. He was at her side in a flash and crouched down next to her head.
“Hi, honey,” he gently spoke to her.
Angie looked up at him and gave him a big smile. “I’m so glad you made it!” she cried out. “The situation looked terrible back there for you.”
“I didn’t like the odds much myself either,” Joshua agreed, “but Penny and I both made it.”
“You’re just good,” Angie said again. “When things were looking really bad I just kept thinking there were so many things I wanted to tell you. I was afraid I would never get to say them.” She raised her hand to touch his face. There were tears in her eyes.
Joshua held her hand, trying to reassure her. “Hush. Everything will be okay.”
“Did I ever tell you I think you’re wonderful?” Angie asked.
“No, but I could get used to it,” Joshua joked back. “I love you,” he then said seriously, “Like you said, we’ll work everything out.” With that, he bent over to kiss her on the lips, muffling her response. The kiss was a heartfelt one for the both of them. Neither of them noticed the cargo ramp closing or the jet engines spinning up to full power on the transport.
Only when they felt the vibrations from the transport racing down the runway did they realize they were taking off. A number of the commandos and ground crew were giving them amused looks, but no one was complaining. Both Willie and Penny were all smiles for the couple. Shani and Kwasi were also all smiles, but not for the same reason. Kwasi had Willie’s helmet on and was happily playing with it while his mother watched him.
When the stealth transport was in the air, it disappeared from visual sight when its active camouflage enabled. Undetectable, it set a low altitude course back to Diego Garcia. This was just the next step to deliver the alien artifact to a secure research facility in Canada.
Epilogue
Grand Master Jk’shth was meditating in front of a replica of the Shre’lor located in a small shrine. She had come here after watching the battle between the Zr’prihl Hunter units and the human HARM units. The humans were clearly outmatched, yet they had won. Kr’shl had not taken the defeat well and had been trembling in anger at the end. It was not a good trait in a leader, reflected Jk’shth. She secretly wondered if they were not yet destined to recover the Shre’lor. The Great Egg did work in mysterious ways. They had been so close to their goal! With all her years, though, she had learned patience. Eventually the Shre’lor would be recovered.
The door slid open behind her to admit her aide and Kr’shl. Kr’shl looked dejected and ashamed, the edges of his mouth straight instead of curled.
Kr’shl bowed. “Grand Master. I bring unfortunate news. The additional warriors we dispatched were unsuccessful in locating the humans that defeated our forces. We are unsure which human faction has the Shre’lor now, but we will continue investigating.”
“This is grave news indeed,” Jk’shth responded in a firm tone. “You performed well, Kr’shl. The Shre’lor has shown itself to us after all these years. That by itself is a hopeful sign.”
“Your observation is wise, Jk’shth. We will redouble our efforts.”
“Very well,” agreed Jk’shth. “I depart for the Great Shrine tonight. When arrive I will inquire with the Brazilians about the Shre’lor. I know you do not like the humans, but we will use all avenues to find it again.”
With a motion of her hand she dismissed Kr’shl, who immediately vacated the room. Jk’shth had many thoughts on her mind, ones that were not just about the Shre’lor. Both Sh’thimori and human needed to co-exist on this planet now. Jk’shth knew they were the invaders, but felt no remorse. The Sh’thimori had needed a new home to escape to from their dying home world. Their studies of human behavior had indicated invasion was the best course of action, a decision that had not been made easily by the Council of Elders. Tensions were rising with the humans again and war would inevitably result if nothing was done. Now that they were settled, war would be catastrophic for both sides. Upon her arrival in Brazil she would have to personally supervise the unity projects that were possibly the last best hope for peace.
Afterword:
Coming up is a series of interlocking stories that take place in a new time of tension between humans and Newts. The core of the Exocrisis Blue story happens seven years after Raid on Kahamba. There will be more mecha action and new characters that will play out the fate of the world.
To keep posted on exciting developments in the world of Exocrisis Blue, visit my author’s blog at peterlok.blogspot.com or visit exocrisisblue.blogspot.com for more information about this new world. Links to my sites can be found on my Amazon author’s page.
