Page 49 of Alien's Eternal Mate

The chief Engineer sat back in her chair and spread her hands out wide.

“This is the way of things.”

“It doesn’t have to remain the way of things. You’re the Chief Engineer. You could change the way of things.”

She pursed her lips, mulling my words over in silence.

“Maybe,” she said at length. “But one step at a time, hey? Let’s finish this project of yours, and then we’ll see how the dust settles on any future alliances.”

I supposed it was going to have to be enough.

“Then we have a bargain?”

“We have a bargain. I’ll be at the Sage’s Tower in about an hour with a team of Engineers. I don’t know if your plan is going to work, but if it fails, it won’t be for a lack of effort on our part.”

“Thank you.”

I led Lo back out of the Vault. The man I’d punched had received medical attention. He sat on the ground, holding his head and giving me a dark look. I didn’t bear him any rancor. It wasn’t’ his fault I had to use him to set an example to the Engineers.

We returned to the Sage’s tower, where the flywheel lay split in two, its carapace removed to show the inner workings. I went over Ignio’s work and pronounced it sound before I turned my efforts to assisting him.

The Chief Engineer arrived with a dozen of her followers. With their help, the work went even faster. I began to believe we would make the sundown deadline.

When the daystar rested against the horizon, fat and blurry and red, I took my leave of Ignio and returned to War Chief Pageus’ home.

I spotted the gaggle of warriors before I even reached the shadow of the Vault. I estimated their number at around two hundred. Not as many as I’d hoped. I was, however, gratified that they’d arrived fully armed and armored. They were prepared for battle, but could I convince them to shed their blood?

“What are you going to say to them?” Lo asked.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to think of something.”

I thought of Arael, and prayed that whatever I came up with would be the right thing.

ELEVEN

CARTER

Paegus stood on a raised platform outside of his home. He managed to look imposing even while balancing on crutches and his remaining leg. Garbed in his full warrior regalia, he looked ready for anything.

I worked my way through the gaggle of warriors toward the platform. Many of the warriors gave me anxious looks. I knew that Gro had been a fearsome challenger before I took over his body. How many of these men hated or feared Gro? How could I get them to lay down their lives in my cause if they could not stand the sight of me?

I had to find a way. I had to get Arael back. Yes, I wanted to rescue all of the villagers, but her the most of all.

It drove me mad to think of her, helpless and afraid. What if she was hurt? What if they…forced themselves on her?

I can’t think about this right now. It will drive me mad.

I climbed onto the platform beside Pageus, realizing I should have gotten a Skybreaker harness. Everyone else wore one. They really were ready to fight, but would they?

“Are you ready, Gro?” Chief Pageus asked.

“Yes.”

“All right then.”

Pageus hobbled forward, then pounded the stage with one of his crutches. The sound echoed through the air, drawing silence from the gathered warriors.

“Warriors of the Starlost. I know you are tired. I know many of you are hurt. Yet I also know that all of you burn for battle.”

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