Return to Earth

Chapter 17

Kierst was at the range next to Tabari as Petrovitch snapped at both of them. Neither were pulling the trigger, but their aim was off. Petrovitch and Lita refused to let them leave the safety of the walls as she worked out a plan with Mrs. Dempsey. Victor watched from behind and turned down offers to learn to fire a pistol, since he feared the energy contained more than anything else he had seen.

Something hard struck his foot, and Kierst holstered his pistol before looking down. Taking his eyes off the target without holstering had practically been beaten into all of them. Kierst saw a narrow piece of wood sticking out at an odd angle and wondered where it came from. He bent down to inspect it as something whispered past his ear. Thuds hit his back as he looked up to see the strangest sight he had ever seen. It looked like it was raining without a cloud in the sky.

Victor called out for all to hear. "Bandits! Get to cover."

Everyone outside rushed to the nearest building as they ran for the entrance to the ship without questioning Victor. There was no time for questions, since whatever was being fired at them could hit their unprotected heads. Something caught Kierst in the back of the knee and he toppled just as something flew over his head. He rolled with the fall and recovered to make it to safety.

Kierst was the last one to make it and worried about those who couldn't reach the ship. There were too few as it was and couldn't afford the loss of a single person. Thuds struck the metal as someone cried out from somewhere outside the ship before going silent against the continued thuds. He tried to run, but Petrovitch held him back.

Kierst tried to swat his hand away to free himself and shouted as loud as he could. "Let me go."

Petrovitch spoke with a calm, but forceful voice. "I can't let you go running out there. It's suicide."

Kierst tried to force his hand away as the speakers overhead silenced everyone with Lita's voice. "This is Commander Lita. Who's closest to the Tagma."

Asha's voice called back with no uncertainty to be heard. "I am, Commander Lita."

Lita spoke as soon as Asha finished. "Take the Tagma and give whoever it is out there cover as best you can, Asha."

Asha called back without hesitation. "Yes, Commander Lita"

There was a slight delay between response and command. "One other thing. When you see who it is, let us know, Asha."

The uncertainty returned, but Kierst knew her actions would be anything but uncertain. "I will, Commander Lita."

Petrovitch called over the system. "Just use the coms. It'll be quicker that way, Commander Lita."

Her voice sounded distressed without losing control. "I tried. There's something wrong with the coms outside the Nostos. Bring Victor and Kierst to the Situation Room, Commander Petrovitch."

Petrovitch looked at the both of them without cracking a smile. "We're on our way, Commander Lita." His side ended as his voice made it clear they had no choice. "You heard her. Neither of you speak to anyone else until we get there."