Tisis

Legion (S)

We make our way to the beach area under a steel sky, laden with heavy clouds, carefully avoiding the various traps we have laid out to give us a fighting chance in case bad comes to worse.

"Didn't you say there were huge amounts of cloth over the colony?" I ask while peering against the horizon."
"...there was...guess that means they managed to repair the propulsion engines...that explains how they managed to get here so quickly," Nym replies in a hushed voice, as if they could somehow hear us.

We intently watch the colony as it stops a good bit away from the shore.
The platform they've used to take me aboard with rises to the sky...and with it, a whole blob of people.

I don't like this...I don't like this one bit.

I turn towards Eva and ask, "You sure you want to do this?"
"This is our people we are talking about, Sirus. I...I have to try. If they see that I am well and unharmed, maybe..."
"Yes...yes, I know. We've had this talk before...but if it is Rose in control of them..."
"That is not proven...and we need to know for sure before we can act on that idea. Mindless slaughter is not an option."

I nod and look over to Nym who just keeps staring towards the horizon.

"Any contact from the colony? From your friends?"
"...no."
"Have you tried to contact them?"
"...no. If...if Rose is out there, that'd tell her where exactly we are."
"I see...good point."

Nym is trembling.
I'm not sure whether she is aware of it herself, but she is trembling.

...I don't think I've ever seen her tremble after her first few kills.

Please dear God...just let it be Robert having gone nuts coming up there...please let Rose be dead and gone...

The platform approaches and the blob of people becomes more discernible with each passing second.

Ray next to me begins to growl and his muscles tense up.

I put my hand on his shoulders and say quietly, "Easy, guy. Easy. Let Eva talk to them first...I'd rather not shed blood unnecessarily either."

Ray calms down a little, but it is obvious that he doesn't think that 'talking' is going to resolve this...and considering the general atmosphere, it's kinda difficult to believe otherwise.

But we have to try.

Thunder growls in the distance from behind us...a thunderstorm is coming.
If this were a story told by someone, the approaching clouds could well be interpreted as ill omen for the things that are to come.

I shake my head to get rid of the silly thought.
I need to focus...if things go south, I need to pull Eva out of there before they can riddle her with holes...or worse.

The lander finally puts down on the beach and the group of at least 30 people, each armed and armored, swarms out, guarding against all possible directions.

They clearly expect an attack.

"...alright...I guess it's time...ready?"

Eva gulps heavily, her hands shaking.
She tries to put up a brave front, but the fear is apparent on her face.

I grab her hand and squeeze it tightly before saying, "It'll be alright. We'll be right behind you. I...we won't let anything happen to you."
Eva looks at me, tears in her eyes and she nods slowly.

"Who'd ever have thought something like this would ever happen, huh?"
"Not me, that's for sure," I reply, remembering the day where Eva had first stood up for me.

Time to repay the favor.

Eva carefully steps out towards the path through the trees, so the others will be able to see her coming from afar.