Ella & Vlad at the end

#32 - from the other side

As the new day begins the city is full of anxious energy. A couple dozen people have assembled ready to rid their area of Hoss' raiders. Working over several ideas yesterday they came up with a plan of attack, making it seem as they are merely going to trade for cattle. Miles, Jamal and Mary-Lee are leading the charge in an older Jeep. Manuel is driving a dualy pick-up with a long horse trailer hitched to the back. Riding shotgun is Jim, one of the rooftop sentries that took a shot at Vlad in bat form. In the trailer the rest of those willing to fight, who keep low and out of sight.

Worried for their safe return Lori gives Miles a kiss on the cheek, "try and be careful Miles. I'll be a ball of nervous energy until you come back."

Miles smiles back at her, "it should be okay Lori. Try not to say too much to Ida and Adan. Hopefully we should be back before nightfall."

Mary-Lee attempts to be comforting, "don't worry Lori we'll make sure Miles doesn't get caught up in anything heavy."

"Okay," Lori pastes on a smile for Miles before replying, "you do that Mary-Lee. I'll be praying for all of your safe return."

Not helping her nerves any Jamal's apprehensive, "keep as many as possible ready at the hospital just in case."

"Sure," Lori sighs.

Mary-Lee gives Jamal a jab to the shoulder, "don't talk like that. Jeez, think positive would you."

"Ow," Jamal rubs his shoulder beginning to drive away, "alright, sorry."

Miles waves to Lori, "I'll see your pretty smiling face in while. Try to stay positive too."

"I'll try," Lori waves them on and watches until they're out of sight.

Turning back worries begin to flood Lori's mind. Unable to address concerns and hours to wait on an outcome, she dreads any dialog with Ida and Adan. As much as I'd love their comfort I hope they find better things to do today.

At the hospital with little requiring her attention Lori can't help but pace in thought. Trying to focus on something she decides to update Ida's patient file with the information gathered the previous night.

In the lab she turns on the computer and sits. Waiting for the screen to boot up, she gets visions of Miles and the others getting badly wounded. Come on Lori positive thoughts. Attempting to do such ends up going negatively.

With the screen ready she brings up Ida's patient file. Inside the file she notices the note written by Ella. Not knowing who wrote it she curiously starts reading it mainly to see what was written: A transfusion isn't necessary. Please don't even attempt it. We don't want to be exterminated. In your world we learned a philosophy that all creatures have a right to exist. That is all we want. The right to carry on. Through Ella we've learned and experienced so many things we never thought possible. Most creatures we've inhabited posses emotions but you humans seem to be wrought with them in a more complex way. Especially anger, jealousy and vengeance. We weren't use to taking on these feelings. When we learned of the demise of a fellow colony, we went to far. Obtaining one of your common viruses we applied our collective knowledge, turning that virus into something deadly releasing it upon the individual that eradicated our fellow colony. Unfortunately that virus went beyond our intended purpose. Eventually effecting your entire planet, killing many innocent beings. Including sources we require in order to live, oxygenated blood. We have a solution to the problem that may save those who've still survived. Human and animal alike. We only ask Ella remain our host. If she's truly unwilling we would require another. The young female Ida encountered would make an excellent host for us. The other disease she'll be plagued with we can remove from her, allowing her a longer and enjoyable life. We understand the constant changing is an irritant to Ella. We can control that if sources of oxygenated blood are more available to us. Please don't eradicate us. Please if Ella or Ida is willing to work with us we can help eradicate the virus plaguing your world.