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Marlena, Balthazar and the others stood watching her father's ship fly toward them.
It had been almost an Earth week since the climactic battle in Austin, and they’d stayed in the shelter ever since. The ship stopped close by them, after Balthazar had found an empty street clear of debris and destroyed buildings.
Marlena had to smile. The first time she’d met Yaddle, she thought he was an odd dwarf working in a defunct train station, not knowing he was a genius engineer. The ship landed and dirt and dust flew around them. They all shielded their eyes.
Balthazar and the other humans stared at the ship with open-eyed awe. She didn't want to tell them this vessel was small compared to the giant battleships her father had commanded. Her father's own ship, The Sentinel, was easily ten times the size of this ship.
The ramp opened from the bottom of the ship. Her father and Yaddle walked out. Marlena ran to her father and gave him a big hug, and even though her father was shorter than her he could easily lift her.
Captain Grendel spoke up. "Darling, I'm glad you are well."
"I should say the same to you," she said.
Captain Grendel placed her back down, and she turned and also hugged Yaddle. The old dwarf was surprised, but hugged her back. She finally stepped away from them and turned to the humans.
"Father, this is Balthazar and his group."
Captain Grendel shook Balthazar's hand. "I want to thank you for saving my daughter and keeping her safe on Earth."
"We should be thanking her,” Balthazar replied sincerely. “She showed great courage during the fight in the mall compound."
Marlena smiled and was surprised at the Illuminati leader's kind words. The battle was not her greatest fight. They actually lost the fight, but had won because of the Alpha's sacrifice. She felt sad that the young boy, Lawrence, had died. He was the kid the Alpha Grace was so attached to and fond of.
Captain Grendel said, "So, I heard you needed a ride to a new place."
"Yes," Balthazar said. "We’re trapped here by the wolves and mutant creatures."
Yaddle, the taciturn dwarf, said, "Give me the coordinates and I will get you there as soon as possible." The old dwarf then muttered something like human freeloaders, but nobody seemed to have heard him.
They all entered the ship. When everybody was seated inside the main cockpit, Yaddle entered the coordinates and launched the ship in the direction of the place Balthazar wanted to start their new life.
"Balthazar, I want you to safeguard something for me and give it to the right person," Marlena said.
Balthazar looked at her. He was sat in the adjacent seat and knew what he was going to be entrusted with. "Yes," he simply said.
Captain Grendel sat in the Captain's chair for now. He knew Marlena was the Captain of Yaddle's ship, but she deferred command to him for the moment.
Captain Grendel addressed Balthazar. "What are your plans once you arrive at this area."
Balthazar smiled. "We will help rebuild the society. I will look for survivors first of all, and go from there. I don't really know where to begin."
Marlena said, "I know you will be fine. You will rebuild and renew your society."
Balthazar nodded. "I want to ask you some things."
Captain Grendel responded. "If I can answer your questions, I will."
"I don't understand where you have been all this time. Are you in our time?"
"Balthazar, it's complicated. We—I mean the magical races—are from a faraway area of space. And you are right, Balthazar, as you have probably suspected, we’re not from your time. We have seen Earth poisoned by humanity’s hands and have decided to do something about it."
"And are you successful?"
"Well, you are the one who is successful. You do rebuild society, and the Earth is saved. Yet, war is around the corner, and you need the humans to prepare for the battle."
"When will this be?" Balthazar asked, concerned.
"We don't know," Captain Grendel said. "But we do know it is not going to be in your lifetime. We want you to prepare. We will, if we can, help you along."
Balthazar nodded. "Can we look outside?"
The front screen flickered on, showing the blue sky and the horizon. They flew through a patch of clouds. They were not moving fast.
Yaddle said from the front, "We are now moving toward your coordinates." The old dwarf was steering his ship between several floating Holo-screens.
The humans openly gaped at the interior of the ship. Marlena forgot this technology was so far ahead of Earth's technology that they probably thought it was magic.
The screen changed, showing a vast forest. Nothing was destroyed or broken like it was in the city of Austin or on the shores of Los Angeles. It seemed the devastation was localized in the human dwellings and businesses.
Yaddle said, "I don't see anything on the surface, but my scans show a large building underground. I can land on that grassland."
"Thank you," Balthazar said. "Can your scans show if there are any wolves or creatures around here?"
"I can do the scan," Yaddle said. His thick dwarf fingers were moving around the Holo-screens with practiced dexterity. "Nothing showed up on the scans except your Earthly creatures. Nothing too abnormal," the old dwarf said.
"Thank you."
The ship slowed and landed on a grassy plateau. Marlena, as before, didn't feel the ship’s landing gear touch the ground. Yaddle was an accomplished pilot. Marlena unclasped the necklace holding the amulet and took it out.
"Balthazar, I am entrusting you with this amulet. It is Merlin’s, and you have to hold this precious object for Professor Jacobs." The jewelry glowed for a second and then winked out.
Balthazar was hesitant to touch it, but he did. "Why don't you give it to Professor Jacobs yourself?" he asked.
Marlena looked at him. "I'm not sure if I will be back. If the Hive is being destroyed from within, I’m not sure I can survive."
Captain Grendel spoke up. "Go ahead, Balthazar. I concur with Marlena. You should be the keeper of this amulet. It should stay on Earth."
"Okayay," he replied.
She walked Balthazar and his small group to the exit ramp, where she heard the sounds of birds and insects. She also smelled the beautiful clean air. She gave them all a hug before watching them leave.
Balthazar turned to her. "I will do my duty. Thank you, mistress Marlena, for helping us. We will keep everything between us and the Illuminati private."
"Thank you. May the world give you peace and great endeavors."
The group walked across to the grass and entered the forest. Marlena placed her hand on her head and then her heart. She blessed them.
