GALAXY AT WAR - Book 3 - The Seeds Of Discord

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - February 2173 - Tranchilite

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

February 2173

Tranchilite

Two days had passed since Dowdneer's death. The remains of his forces were now scattered to the surrounding outposts and villages. But they had left behind a great deal of devastation. Thousands of families had lost loved ones. And a lot of families had been destroyed entirely. The trees throughout Marsoopia were blackened from the fire and most of the populations homes were destroyed. The survivors were being crowded into the surviving public buildings and the Emperor had even opened up the entire ground level of the palace as a shelter for his people.

The time had come for Neil and Rebecca to leave for home. Rebecca was inside the Interceptor securing Tanya. The ship had been allowed special clearance to land on the surface. Neil was outside saying his goodbyes to his Tranchillion friends.

"Do you have to go?" said Putil. "There's still a lot to do."

"Unfortunately - yes. My planet doesn't even know about the upcoming threat. I need to warn them," Neil hated to leave them but he knew that the human race had to be prepared if they were to survive.

"You come back soon you hear."

Neil looked at Bernis with a smile, "We'll be back, and with an entire army of help if I have anything to do with it."

"Sir," said Bernis. "Thank you for saving me back on Anthera and thanks for everything you've done for all of us."

"Don't mention it. I was glad to help," Neil reached up and placed a hand on Bernis's shoulder. "Try and keep Twochelope out of trouble."

Bernis smiled, showing off his sharp pointed teeth, "I'll try sir."

Neil turned to Corporal Mayorpe and smiled, "Marsup - thanks again for helping redesign our engines."

"It was nothing Neil. Besides - I really did it to save my people."

"Still - you helped. And also, thanks for helping us get away from here three weeks ago. We really appreciated your help."

Marsup looked over Neil's shoulder, "I did it for her and I'm glad I did. She's become powerful."

Rebecca walked over to them and smiled at Marsup before linking her arm into Neil's, "I wanted to say thank you as well."

Marsup shook his head, "Whatever any of us did for either of you has been more than repayed by your bravery back in the valley. We should all probably be bowing before you with gratitude."

"Oh please god no," laughed Rebecca. "Please try to treat me as normally as possible. You'd only embarrass me."

"What you did was amazing," said Capustri Carphide.

"It was draining."

"But you recovered remarkably quickly."

"Oh - that was another of the abilities that the Watchers taught me. I hope I don't have to use it too often."

"Why?"

"Because if I use it too much I could turn bad. Its power is highly addictive and the target can die if I don't stop in time."

"Like the one back at the valley?"

"Yes."

"I hope I'm not too late to say goodbye," came a voice from one side.