Page 19 of Protected by the Alien Warrior Triad

9

Tammy

Inside, my mind reels at the crisis. Outside, I try to stay calm and strong for the sake of Stacy and Tod.

Think, dammit! Think! What are we working with, here?

Let’s take a look at these three.

The one at the back – the one with the scar, who’d rescued the kids. Well, he doesn’t even want to look at me – like I’m something horrific. The one with the curly hair and the war-hammer? He clearly wasn’t too pleased about the idea of going out into the open to find Tyler and Runner.

But what about this third one? The one that sends tingles down my spine? I know he wants to help me. I need to focus on him, but he’s wounded.

I feel protective of the third alien, even though he’s over a foot taller than me and could pick me up with one hand. He’s my patient – and that means I’m responsible for his life.

I swallow hard as I stare at the pile of twitching Scorp corpses at the doorway. I have no pity for the beasts, but their deaths show the brutality these three Aurelians are capable of.

Why had fate thrown these aliens into my life?

I’m supposed to hate Aurelians. In fact, could they somehow even be responsible for this Scorp attack? It does seem too coincidental that they arrive at exactly the same time…

I glance toward my two young charges. The two little kids are tough customers, but they’re trembling. I don’t blame them. I kneel down until I’m face-to-face with the two kids. “We have to go find Runner and Tyler. If you stay close to me, you’ll be safe, okay?”

Stacy and Tod nod, trembling, and I wish that my words were true – and not just hopeful fantasy.

Out there, we’re almost certainly doomed – but perhaps no more than we would be remaining here.

Edgar grunts from behind me. He’s a little abashed from shooting an ally, but he clings to the rifle like it’s his only lifeline. “I can keep them safe. I’ll hold out here until the Capital sends reinforcements.”

I swallow hard, analyzing all the factors. It’s a tempting offer. If Edgar could hold out against the Scorp, I wouldn’t have to bring the two children out into the dangers of the city. Hell, I’d be able to cower here until help arrives.

Ifhelp arrives.

That thought is sour and cold in my mind.

Barl is low on the Capital’s list of priorities. The periphery states have suffered while the Capital prospered. Despite taking hefty taxes, they don’t send enough money for a proper healthcare system, or to repair much-needed infrastructure…

As a result, I have to wonder how quickly they’ll send reinforcements…

…if they send them at all.

Staying in Barl is suicide, I suddenly realize. I turn to stare down my old boss, but I see that his eyes are screwed up in determination. He’s lost so much in his life. This is his line in the sand. He won’t lose his chop-shop – not after eking out a scrub-bare existence here for so many years.

He’ll die here if I don’t convince him to leave.

“Edgar, you can’t stay here. We don’t know when the Capital’s army is coming. Wedoknowwhen the Scorp are, though. They might be gone now, chasing easier prey… But you know as well as I do that they’ll return.”

“Then they’ll have to get through me,” Edgar says, his words strong and determined.

Yet there’s a bead of sweat on his brow. For all his pretense of stoicism, there’s fear in Edgar’s eyes. The chop-shop is all he has left, and he knows he’s going to lose it.

If he stays, he’ll lose more than just his livelihood. He’ll lose his life.

I shake my head. “Don’t be so damned foolish!”

Edgar growls, clutching his rifle harder in his shaking hands. His words are venomous: “Going out there –thatis foolish!” He motions with his head towards the twitching pile of Scorp corpses at the doorway. I can’t even look at them. One swipe of their huge claws and my guts would come spilling out…

Oh, Gods, Tammy - don’t even think of that. Don’t think of it!

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