The PriZin of Zin (21 page)

Chapter 30: Rescue

res·cue [res-kyoo] verb
,
to
free
or
deliver
from
c
onfinement,
violence, danger, or evil

“Command Base, Eagle One Rescue—over.”

“Copy, Eagle One. Status?”

“Package onboard. Inbound. ETA five minutes. Over.”

“Roger that. Good work, son. Base, out.”

“Eagle One, out.”

Aeryn sat frozen to her seat, heart racing, watching everything. The pilot’s skills were more than apparent as he maneuvered the flying machinery over the trees, through the clouds, above the volcano, and off to—wherever they were off to. The thought jolted Aeryn like a lightning strike. This man is a stranger, and she had no idea where she was.

Never get in a car with strangers. But then, this isn’t a car, either.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

No response.

“Excuse me, but where are you taking me?” she demanded.

Silence.

Aeryn’s hands began to shake. Fear crept down her spine and grabbed hold of her stomach like a wrench. She felt like throwing up. Scanning the cockpit, she reached out, looking for anything resembling a door handle.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

She froze, trapped like a caged animal. Aeryn thought her heart would explode right out of her chest.

“We’re almost there. Just hold on a few more minutes.”

“Almost where?” she managed to choke out.

“What?”

“Almost where?” she blurted out a second time.

The gloved hand pointed toward a button on the side of his helmet. “Turn on your mic so I can hear you.” The same hand pointed underneath the seat she was strapped in. Aeryn reached down and felt under the seat. Pulling out a helmet, she slid it over her head. Trembling fingers fumbled up the side for the button. Feeling across the side, and up onto the top, she tried to find it, but could not. Ryder reached over and gently touched the button on the far side.

“There,” he said, “that’s better. Did you say something?”

“Where are we going?”

“Back to Rescue Base.”

“There’s a Rescue Base down here?”

“Yes, ma’am, there sure is.” Ryder kept his eyes focused forward, hands on the controls at all times. “Every now and again, when folks fall through from above, some get into a little trouble and need help. That’s what we’re here for.”

“You rescue others?”

“Just the ones assigned to me.”

“My brother? And Dad—”

“I can’t help them. I can only help you.”

The fears that had eased somewhat clamped down on her insides again. “Why?”

“This is a military operation, Miss. We follow orders. And right now my orders are to—”

“I order you to stop this machine.”

“I beg your pardon?” he asked.

“I want out,” Aeryn demanded. “If you won’t help me find them, I’ll do it myself.”

“I can’t let you out.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll get killed, that’s why.” His hands tightened on the controls.

Aeryn tore the helmet from her head and tried the door handle. “I will not get killed! I can handle myself.”

“Like you handled yourself back there?”

Her eyes lit up with a fire that burned inside like a torch. “I was doing just fine until you came along.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What about the Spatz?”

“The what?”

“Spatz. You know, the spider-bats, those evil black things with the glowing red eyes that were going to eat you alive.”

“I could have gotten away.”

“How? They have eight legs and eight wings. They can run faster than any human, and fly with lightning speed. And those clacking jaws weren’t there just for show. They can tear you apart.”

“I said I can handle myself," her angry eyes glaring.

“They start with your arms or your legs. They always go for the joints. It’s the easiest place to disable you. Then they—”

“Stop trying to scare me.”

“I’m not trying to scare you, Aeryn.” Ryder took a deep breath. “I’m trying to get you to understand the danger down here. This is not like your world.”

“What do you know about my world?” She slid as far away from Ryder as the seatbelt would allow. Eyeing him from afar, she took the defensive. “And how did you know my name?”

“I’ve been there. My last charge lives not far from your home.”

“How do you know where I live?”

“I told you, I was assigned to take care of you.”

“Assigned by who?”

“Um, that’s whom, and it’s not important. Right now I just have to get you back to base.” Ryder clicked the mic again. “Command Base, Eagle One. Over.”

“Eagle One, go ahead.”

“Eagle One on approach. Two miles out.”

“Roger that, Eagle One. You are cleared to land.”

“Take me back,” Aeryn demanded.

“What?”

“Take me back where you got me. I don’t want your help.”

“I can’t do that.”

“I’ll just escape.”

“Look, Aeryn. This world can be a very dangerous place. Bad decisions will get you sent to the prison. Very few, if any, ever come back out again.”

“But my father’s there! I have to get him out.” She grabbed the door handle again and jerked.

“It’s locked for your safety, Miss.”

“Unlock it. I want out.”

“I can’t do that.”

“You said you follow orders. Well, follow this one. LET ME OUT!”

“No, ma’am.”

“You suck!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ryder’s expression never flinched.

“And quit calling me ma’am!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Chapter 31: Recruit

re·cruit [ri-kroot]
noun;
a newly-
enlisted
or
drafted member of the armed forces.

The speed and the force of the aircraft’s landing pulled Aeryn down hard into her seat. The weight of her body kept her pinned down as the machine rolled to a stop. The runway appeared out of nowhere, trees parting for the plane to glide under, and quickly drifting back overhead. They were completely hidden from view.

“Where are we?”

“Command base.”

“Yes, but where is it? Where are we?” A severe uneasiness took over her senses.
What was I thinking going with him?
 

“You’ll see.” Ryder hit a button on the console in front of him, both doors shot open with a loud hiss. The rush of cold air from outside was sobering. She sat still as Ryder leapt out and ran around the vehicle. Jumping up onto the wing on her side, he held out a gloved hand to help her. She did not respond.

“Come on, Aeryn. Let’s get out of this big bird.”

“Not until you answer my questions.”

“We have to report to the commander. He can answer any questions that you have.”

“I’m not moving.” She stared, eyes front, arms folded across her chest, seat belt still tied around her waist.

“Fine. Have it your way.” Ryder jumped back down and strolled off to the side of the runway.

“So, what? You’re gonna just leave me here?”

Ryder stopped and turned back to his charge.

“Some protector you are.” Aeryn untied the seat belt and slid out of the cockpit. By the time Ryder got back to the plane, she’d jumped off the wing and stood facing him. “Well?”

“Well, what, ma’am?”

“Are we just gonna stand here?”

“No, ma’am.” Ryder turned back toward the fluttering, feathered, tree line.

“And stop calling me ma’am!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ryder was the first to emerge from the dense coverings. Aeryn charged straight past him to the first person she saw.

“Who’s in charge?” Her voice squeaked out the words.

“Ten-hut!” he boomed. Behind her, she heard uniform clicking of heels, hundreds of them it seemed, together with a rhythmic marching sound. Her head swung back to Ryder, but he was gone. The panic inside her flashed again, but she fought the urge to flee. Planting her feet, she stood firm on the outside, trembling on the inside.

“Hut, two, three, four… Hut, two, three, four…”

The chanting marched closer and closer, louder and louder. With each stomp of a foot, her fear grew and her trembling increased. Aeryn’s breath was short and ragged by the time they stopped, lined up level with her on the open field.

“Whose charge is this?”

“Mine, sir,” Ryder responded.

Aeryn’s head whirled around to where the voice had come from, but Ryder was nowhere to be seen.

“Front and center, soldier.”

“Yes, sir!” Ryder snapped to attention, his rigid, firm stance the mark of a finely-tuned machine. With perfect rhythm, he marched forward, each foot in time with the other.

Aeryn’s eyes continued to scan the horizon. She could hear him, but not see him. He had to be invisible. No, there - wow!

Ryder’s shiny silver metal gear had changed to green and brown camouflage. He so perfectly blended in with the tree line behind him that he was impossible to see until he moved; he and all the others just like him. There were hundreds of soldiers all dressed in camouflage. Even his helmet had changed, like a chameleon. Ryder marched straight up to Aeryn’s side and stopped.

“At ease,” the sergeant commanded.

“How did you do that?” she whispered.

“Quiet!” the commander barked, stepping up to Aeryn’s face. “You will train your recruit in the appropriate manner, Corporal. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir!” Ryder’s response was immediate and firm.

Aeryn’s trembling burst out from inside her, and was clearly visible now to all who looked at her. No one moved. Not even her so-called protector standing just inches from her. “Excuse me,” she managed to squeak out. “There must be some mistake.”

“And what is that, missy?” The sergeant stood toe-to-toe, nose-to-nose with her.

Aeryn bristled. She hated that name. Her mother had called her that for years when she was younger. Tears came to her eyes.

“Awww, look everyone,” he stepped back. “The new recruit misses her mommy.”

Aeryn stared straight ahead. How could he possibly know that?

“Oh, we know everything.” He smiled at her, frightening her even more.

Stunned surprise slammed her heart again. She looked at Ryder, standing right next to her. Sharp, rigid, eyes front, with just the twinkle of a tear brimming at the corner of his eye. He made no move to help her.

“I want to leave,” she heard herself blurt out. It was like she was outside her body, watching a movie now. She had no control over what she had just said. “I’m not a recruit. There must be some mistake.”

“Are you Aeryn Lyn Welch, of Summer City, California?”

Her eyes widened.

“Did you lose your father, Morgan, brother, Hunter, and friend, Ian, down here when you fell through an earthquake?”

All she could do now was nod.

“And do you wish to find them again, missy?”

Another nod.

“Then you, miss,
are
a recruit.”

“But I didn’t volunteer.”

“Very few of us ever volunteer for the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we still have to deal with them. Ryder!” he barked. “Didn’t you orient little Miss Princess?”

“Not yet, sir.”

“Ah. Probably because she wouldn’t be quiet long enough, no doubt.” The sergeant marched back and forth in front of the troops. “Step forward, missy.”

Aeryn was fully terrified now. She tried to move her feet, but they would not move. They felt like they were stuck in cement.

“Now!”

Aeryn felt a gentle push at her back. Ryder was next to her, coaxing her. With hands on her shoulders, he guided her forward to stand next to the sergeant, then gently turned her to face the crowd. She gasped. There before her were thousands of other soldiers and creatures, lined up in perfect rows. The green arrows that had rescued her earlier made up row after row. Their long, angular, legs unfolded; allowing them to stand at their full height. The light went on inside her eyes as recognition finally set in. They had rescued her, too.

“Yes, dear,” the sergeant said. “Praying Mantises. The ‘bugs’ you so easily kill in the world above, but which were truly put here for your own good. Who do you think they pray to?”

Aeryn swallowed hard. Tens of thousands of tiny multi-faceted eyes were on her. “They have special communication abilities, Aeryn. They are the messengers of our world. It is not wise to randomly take a life, unless you know what you are taking. Do you understand?”

She nodded. Tears now running down her face, she kept her jaws clenched tightly to hold in the sobs.

“And over there,” he pointed. “Those are birds.”

“The trees?” she managed to whisper, a slight sob escaping her throat.

“No, but they just look like trees. It’s all part of our Maker’s camouflage. Things aren’t always what they seem. No, Aeryn. Those trees are living, breathing, flying creatures that have hidden and protected you from the enemy.”

“There’s an enemy?”

The sergeant sighed and turned his head. “I knew you were sheltered at home, princess, but I guess I never realized how much. No worries love, that’s my own fault for over-estimating you. Ryder will deal with that. Right now your job is to trust your guard and learn everything you can from him.”

Aeryn shook her head. “I can’t stay here. I have to find my brother.”

The sergeant looked at Ryder, shaking his head. “She’s a stubborn one. Good luck to you, man.”

Ryder said nothing, his hands still gently resting on Aeryn’s shoulders.

“There’s only one way to leave here, princess, and that’s to fly. You can fly, can’t you, missy?”

Aeryn swallowed hard. She stood tall, shoulders back, head high, and looked the sergeant straight in the eye. “Of course I can.”

“Of course you can,” he mocked. “Ten-hut!” he barked. The entire assembly snapped to attention. “Wing men, right and left!”

Two winged mantises appeared from behind and flanked her. “Now!” the sergeant barked.

The creatures lurched forward and grabbed her clothing. Aeryn screamed, but it could not be heard above of the cheers and chants of the soldier assembly below. The creatures flew with her, straight up above the treetops to a platform high in the clouds. There they deposited her and flew away.

Aeryn was alone. All she could see around her were white puffy clouds and the platform beneath her feet. Without warning, the platform disappeared. Aeryn screamed. Falling, hurtling, end-over-end in space, she plummeted toward the ground. Racing faster and faster, the ground moving closer and closer, she hurtled through time.

“HELP ME!”

Two more green arrows shot out of the tree line and grabbed her. One held her right arm, and the other the bottom pant leg of her left side. They flew her back down to the crowd and dumped her in front of Ryder and the sergeant on her butt.

“Ryder!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Orient your charge.” He turned and walked away.

“Yes, sir,” Ryder answered, looking down at Aeryn sprawled on the ground.

She was weeping.