Ardi
and I turn on the cloaking device as we near Sector 6. I stare at the ongoing
chaos. The targeted Hovers, unchanged in design, are fighting against a sleek,
shining silver opponent, which maneuvers with efficiency and speed. They’re like
a dance to watch in action.
Rachii, Ki and Lo, our mind-melding trio, connect
to the Bio-Bots’ frequency and abruptly stop all Electromagnetic and Electric
impulses of their Hovers. By using EMPs, the Electromagnetic Pulse deadens machines,
making them useless instantly. Two crash to the ground and burst into flames. A
third hard lands onto a flat grassy area.
“Ardi,
this is not their usual form of attack at all. Who do you think is behind this
air strike?”
“Our
crew has identified them, Nee. They’re sending information to us now. What a
laugh. The tables have turned.” Ardi grins.
We
have a crew of thirty shape-shifters on ground level and five others combing
the immediate site. Ardi and I watch the
continued EMP bombardment on our pre-established target as planned. Plumes of
smoke and activity of both Air-Bots’ and Bio-Bots’ scatter along in a straight
line.
“Ardi,
Dorwith says the Pho-Crans from Galaxy Lu-kra-elm are the fighters with the
beautiful silver crafts. Wow, they must have time-jumped to get here. We haven’t
heard of them for a long time.”
“I
remember them as a pretty tough group.” He says, “I’m glad to be on their side.”
Dorwith
sends orders from his command post that we implement fire lasers and target
co-ordinates immediately. Ardi and I are stunned as we see the magnitude of chaos
erupt below us. “Oh, look, Ardi, the ships are breaking into fiery pieces, they
are crashing, and they are erupting into flames. I almost feel guilty, being
safe in this ship.”
“Now
our latest job is done, let’s move to the new co-ordinates. Miles of travel have certainly paid off. Look
there,” I point. “The Bio-Bots Army looks
like busy ants.”
We’re
now close enough to clearly see the enemy. They are out of sync and moving in repetitive
circles. “Ardi, I hope their signals are permanently broken. It looks like the EMPs have succeeded. “ I
pat him on his shoulder and kiss his cheek.
We
move farther along, following new co-ordinates. A large building comes into
view standing alone in barren surroundings. We tense up.
“Nee,
Look at the size of this building. It must house the entire reproducing and
repair facility.”
The
order comes to drop bombs and the place lights up like a super nova, jolting
our ship. The blast creates a thousand foot crater. The Bio-Bots Army lives no
more, Hovers, ABs and BBs are all motionless, scattered in pieces across the
combat zone.
United
with the warriors who fought with us, we search, verifying no Bio-Bots’ life
exists any longer.
Our
unexpected accomplices are friendly. We connect our communication screens and
find they mind meld, we converse and tell them, “Your efforts are appreciated
and we welcome you. Like you, we’ve traveled far to put an end to the Bio-Bots
Army and will supply any data you request from this mission.”
The
coadjutor’s have a reptilian appearance. They begin telling us, “The Bio-Bots
Army have caused much pain and trouble throughout our Galaxy. We will share any
intelligence with you that you desire as well. The BBs have attacked and
ravaged planets in our Galaxy for centuries. We carefully planned this attack to
annihilate them. We share similar goals. All our early efforts ended in frustration.
Now the Bio-Bots Army is dust, just a past memory. You are a welcomed ally.”
Their
comments are a relief. We return to Heart City, unload the crew and get our
pods. We head back to The House, home as we know it.
“You
know, Dorwith, we are an effective team. and fortunately never suffered a
casualty in our conflict. Will you be coming back home with us? We are ready to
leave now.”
“Yes.
I’m fond of that dimension. It’s quiet. I call it home. I can return to Heart City anytime.”
“When
do you want to leave?”
“Now,”
Dorwith says looking half asleep, as usual.
---------------
When
we return to The House, Dorwith leaves, waving his tail as he says goodbye.
“Oh,
me, it feels good to be home. We can relax until something catches our
attention again. The garden’s calling me to get my hands into real dirt and
plant seeds, ah, such a good life. So what are you thinking?”
“I’m
heading for the library. I haven’t read a book for pleasure for a long time.”
“I’m
kind of tired right now and it’s too late to do any gardening tonight. Why don’t I go with you? Hey, how about putting
our minds together and write a book?”
“What
are you talking about, Nee?”
In
as sultry a voice as I can conjure up, I cuddle close and say, “We have a new
chapter in our lives to write about.”
He
kisses my cheek and whispers into my ear, “What’s up, my little She-Bee?”
I
reach in to my pocket, pull out a poem I’ve written and excitedly wait for him
to read it.
He
begins reading.
Two,
Me, you,
Our family grows,
It’s love, heaven knows.
We’re going to be three.
You’re a dad to be,
Baby, you & me.
I love you.
His
face lights up with a smile that fills the room. I melt as he hugs and holds me
close for a long time. He covers me with kisses. A trace of a tear is in his eye. He has wanted a little one for years. So have
I. This is our time to start our family.
After
two heavenly weeks at home, we see Dorwith sauntering toward us. I wave. The
air is warm and plants are rich in budding flowers. I stand up from pulling
weeds, stretch and wave to him.
“There’s
a problem,” Dorwith says in his usual abrupt manner. “The People on Planet Cos
4 on the outskirts of our Galaxy are under attack. Marauding Ghost Rakers, a
wild rogue contingent, are especially vicious invaders. Heart City is asking
for our help immediately. Cos 4 is helpless.”
I
look at Ardi, “There goes our peace and quiet.”
“Just
for awhile, Nee.”
Ardi
then turns to Dorwith, “Do you think we’ll have the same team?”
“Yes.” Dorwith never wastes words.