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Cindy and the Alpha Mage’s ship landed on the base on New California. She watched as Marlena's large battle ship followed them. It was not as big as the Vvong battle cruiser, but it was impressive. It was too big to land on the base.
Professor Jacobs and Della stood behind them. Marlena’s ship hovered by the west side, far away from the refugee camp and the base. Cindy jumped out of Alarina's ship and looked upwards at Marlena’s ship. Cindy looked at the smooth sleek lines of the vessel and the impressive guns on the hull. Underneath the hull a doorway opened. A small ship flew downward and toward them. Cindy hadn't seen Marlena for a hundred of years in a different time and place. She wondered how an elf and dwarf hybrid would age.
The small shuttle craft landed a few feet from her. She didn't feel any air or propulsion pushing against her. The ship was almost silent as it stopped and glided downwards. The landed gear made a soft thud noise as it landed. Cindy was aware of the General and the Commander coming up behind her. A contingent of soldiers also came behind them. They held their guns at parade rest.
The General nodded to her and waited close by not in front by somewhat behind her. She sensed the General was letting her take the lead. The doorway opened from the shuttle and Marlena with several crew members walked out. They were all dressed in blue uniforms.
Marlena walked up to Cindy. She noticed Marlena seemed different somehow as if being a Captain of a ship make her more regal and reassured. Marlena stood close to her and nodded. Cindy didn't care. She moved closed to Marlena and gave her a big hug. Marlena resisted at first but then hugged her back.
She said, “I never thought I would ever see you again.”
Marlena smiled and then looked at her. “You look exactly the same. It seemed you never aged.”
Cindy said, “Captain Marlena, you also looked the same.” She emphasized Captain.
Marlena smiled and then disengaged from her. “Where is Lazarus and Merlin?”
“They’re out looking for you know what?”
Marlena looked at her without comprehension. She didn't know. She said, “I need to speak to you in private.”
General Graves cleared his throat.
Cindy said, “Oh,” she paused and looked over at the General and back to Marlena. “Captain Marlena, I want you to introduce you to General Graves. He is the General to the Western Forces of the New U.S. And the lady next to me is Alarina from the Illuminati.”
Alarina nodded to Marlena.
Captain Marlena nodded to Alarina and then looked to the General and said, “Thank you for escorting me to your base. We are happy that we will be working in conjunction with you.”
General Graves said, “Our President wishes that she could have been here in person. But we are at war with these Vvong creatures. We had prepared a small early dinner if you want to eat.”
Captain Marlena nodded. General Graves step back and said, “Follow me.”
Captain Marlena’s party followed General Graves and the Commander. Cindy was about to follow the party. But Grace grabbed her hand.
Grace said, “I’m tired and want to go back to our quarters.”
“Sure, how about you, Royce?”
“I’m tired as well,” Royce said
“Ok, you too. Do I have to knock before I come in,” Cindy said.
“No,” Grace said. Her face got red. “We’re both tired and still tense from the fighting. I want a beer or something stronger. I wonder if there is a bar on this base.”
Cindy said, “I don’t think you have any money to buy drinks.”
“I hope they will make an exception.”
“Ok, how about you Professor and Della?”
Professor Jacobs said, “We will go with you.”
He nodded to Della. The elf nodded.
“Ok,” Cindy said. “Alarina, how about you?”
Alarina said, “I will stay with my ship. I need to contact my superiors. I will find you later.”
***
CINDY SAT ON THE HEAD table with the General, Captain Marlena, the Professor and Della. Captain Marlena’s small crew sat on a table close to them. General Graves was on the left next to Captain Marlena and Cindy was on her right. Most of General Graves conversation was about the base and how he wanted to defend the Western border against the invaders.
Cindy felt their plans would be discussed later behind closed doors. They were lucky the Vvong battle ship didn't decide to fight and use all their weapons. It was as if the Vvong Queen was directing her troops to not attack until she arrived on earth.
Professor Jacobs and Della talked amongst each other. Staring at them, Cindy missed Lazarus. She wished she could contact him to know if he was fine. She closed her eyes and sensed that Lazarus was alive and was still trying to get the fabled sword, Excalibur. She hated that they had to be separated for this length of time.
“Cindy?” Captain Marlena said. “We are done and would like you to usher us back to my ship.”
General Graves said, “We will meet later and discuss our plans later.”
“We want to go back to Duke Grendel’s fleet?” Captain Marlena said.
Cindy said, “But you have just got here.”
“We would like you to help us fight here,” General Graves said.
Captain Marlena said, “My fleet is fighting against the Vvong in space and Duke Grendel needs our help. We cannot stay. We will fight the invaders up there in space.”
Cindy said, “We will defend Earth down here.”
She wanted to say something more, but it is not the time.
General Graves said, “I will escort you.”
“No, it is fine,” Captain Marlena said.
She stood up before General Graves could say something. Cindy knew Marlena wanted to speak to her without the General standing next to them.
General Graves said, “How can we communicate with you?”
“You can to talk to Cindy. It is nice meeting you General Graves. I hope we can see each other again after all this is over.”
General Graves said, “Yes. Thank you for coming here.”
Captain Marlena stood and her crew members also stood up.
Cindy said, “Professor, I will meet you back at my quarters.”
The Professor nodded to her. Cindy followed Captain Marlena and her group out of the large building. The soldiers sitting in the chairs nodded to her and watched them leave.
Cindy turned to check if any of the soldiers eating would follow them, but when they exited the building; she saw guards were posted all over the base watching them. She looked at Marlena but she merely walked toward her shuttle.
