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Marlena knew her father was on his way back to Earth but the waiting was unbearable.
She had talked to him two more times with the aid of the white crystal, and was now getting used to focusing on the stone and guiding her magic to converse with her father. Marlena even tried to talk to Lazarus or the other Alpha Mages, but she couldn’t find their location. It was as if they were not even on Earth. They were gone.
Marlena had scouted Austin's topside with a few of their group yesterday. They had rifles with them, and her magic was at full strength. The exit of the shelter was in a large warehouse structure, which was partially opened, ripped apart by the tornadoes that ravaged the city with the opening of the Bastions.
She held her weapon like she had been taught. Ross and Beth had showed her the basics of the weapon. It was easy enough.
They swept the perimeter for several hours, though Marlena didn't see any wolves or people during their time on the surface. She wanted to go on a hunting trip, but Ross told her Balthazar gave him implicit orders to only scout around and not to take any side mission on their own. Balthazar only wanted them to a sweep and come back. In fact, they didn't see anything. They did, however, smell the bodies of the dead as they decomposed in the sun. The stench wafted in the air and almost made Marlena gag and vomit. Ross nodded to her with compassion. He didn't like the smell either.
They returned and reported to Balthazar.
"I knew this was going to happen," Balthazar said. "But we don't have the manpower to clean up this mess."
Malena understood. She knew it was a desecration just to leave all the bodies lying where they’d died, but she also didn't know what to do.
Ross said, "We didn't see any survivors. The wolves didn't come out. They must have left the city."
Balthazar said, "Don't be fooled. The wolves are waiting for us. They are probably in the forest."
They all looked at each other. Their small group couldn't stop an all-out attack by the wolves if their pack numbers were large. They also didn't have enough ammunition, and couldn't hide in this shelter for too long. Ross nodded to his leader.
"Have you contacted anybody else?" Marlena asked.
"No, we haven't found anybody alive," Balthazar said. "What we need is a helicopter. But where will we go?"
Ross said, "There must be somebody else alive out there."
They were in the control room. Beth was stationed at one of the monitors, typing. She had been trying to "hack", as she said, into the NATO computers. She had not been successful. Beth had told them the NATO computers still had power from a backup generator.
Balthazar said, "How is your father?"
"He’s repairing Yaddle's ship, and both dwarves are good. They are working as fast as they can."
"I was wondering about that."
"Yes," Marlena said. "My father can transport you to wherever you want to go."
"Aha, I finally got in," declared Beth.
Balthazar moved over to her and looked at the screen. He directed Beth toward a series of portals. Marlena didn't understand any of it, but was surprised at the pictures and symbols that appeared on the screen.
Balthazar said, "I can get into the Illuminati servers through here. Ah, there it is. I knew there was another base somewhere.” He pointed to a position on a map.
"There’s another Illuminati base here in the eastern side of the United States. When your father gets here, you can drop us off there."
Marlena sometimes didn't understand the human’s terminology. But she understood drop off meant to take them there and land there. Suddenly, Marlena felt something, unsure at first if it was her intuition or magic. She soon knew what it was.
"Balthazar, do you have the stone?"
He nodded. Beth was still looking at the computer screen with Ross next to her as they walked out the room.. Balthazar quickly gave her the white crystal.
She walked down the corridor and quickly entered her room. Focusing her magic, she stared into the crystal.
Marlena said, "Father?"
"Yes, I'm here. We have repaired the ship and we are getting closer to Earth."
"When will you be here?"
"Not until the lunar cycle. We don't want to use the warp engines until we leave. Yaddle wants to see if the ship will be okay."
"Father," Marlena said, "I want to ask you and Yaddle a favor."
"Yes, we will take your friend to whatever destination they want to go."
"And us?"
"Yaddle said his ship is ready to travel back to the Hive. But I'm not sure."
"Why are you hesitating? Maybe we could help mom," Marlena said.
"I know darling," Captain Grendel said. "But we shouldn't be reckless at this time. I wish we had more weapons, and we have some information on what is happening at the Hive."
"You have an idea. I can tell."
"Yes, you can always tell when I’m thinking about something. I wish I could have a dwarven ale right now."
"What are you proposing?"
"Wait until we get there. Make sure you tell your friends to get ready. We are in a tight schedule, and if my idea works then we can get more information."
"Okayay, father. You know where we are?"
"Yes, Yaddle computer scans can pick up your magical signature. It’s coming from that crystal you have."
"Thanks."
"I will see you soon."
"Yes, father."
Marlena closed the connection. She placed her white crystal into her pocket, and returned to the control room. She spoke with Balthazar, and told him that her father was coming soon.
