.The Eraser.

sieze

                                                             -16-

''What the-'' 

Kieran said in confusion as he emerged out of the passenger door of the 4x4 and fully got out into the warm 5am sun rising from the horizon of sand behind them. 

The structures of buildings inside the barb wired fence and metallic gate looked to have been set on fire throughout the night as the surroundings were covered in black charred objects and ash. Some materials Kieran could see were still burning softly with orange flames. 

''Great.'' 

Someone spoke in a gruff tone behind him and he turned to see Jean's grim facial expression. The others also got out of their cars as well and slowly made their way around where he was standing as they tried to get a better perspective of the unexplainable scene in front of them. Kieran had called a couple of friends and acquaintances as reinforcement to help the Erasers fight off the ZED and rescue the mayor. 

''So this is what is left of their hideout?'' Louisse asked as she stood between Jean and Kieran. 

''Looks like it.'', Came the whispered answer. 

The enclosement in front of them looked like a small army compound but instead of looking occupied; it was empty and almost burnt to the ground. 

''Well would you look at that, the place is in flames,'' Copper gave a snide remark addressed to Kieran, who turned and gave her a pointed look. At least he was adjusting to being around the bronze faced girl. 

They were over thirty people in total who had woken up early in the morning to drive through the sand of the Ténéré region in darkness. Now the sun had found its way out of hiding and was slowing rising up from the east as its sharp rays gradually increased their heat over the baffled spectators. 

Jean seemed to recover quickly from his earlier confusion and he now turned to address everyone present standing behind him. 

''I don't know what has happened to this place or the ZED during the night; but we must split up and look for clues, (Anything that will maybe give us an answer as to what transpired hours ago.)'' 

Everyone nodded in brave agreement. 

''But they may be traps on the other side of that fence and so Kieran, Jonathan and his crew, and I will go in through that gate and survey the near surroundings for anything dangerous and suspicious.'' 

Louisse started to move forward as well, but Jean stopped and gave her a soft look. '' Sorry Lu, but I can't risk you and the girls to come with me.''  

Atara's mother crossed her arms over torso disapprovingly. ''The girls can stay, but I can come.'' She said with finality, but Jean shook his head. 

''I promised Richard to bring his family back, alive.'' And with that he joined the group of men that was waiting for him and they all entered through the gate and into the compound. 

Atara held her breath as she observed the men on the other side of the fence, checking about if there were any traps like land mines covered with sand. But thankfully they were all in one piece so far. 

Some of the reinforcement that Kieran had managed to get in such short notice had remained with the three females as look out, because Jean did not want to put everyone's life on the line.  

''Cost is clear- All of you, make yourself inside.'' A voice with a slight French accent commanded through everyone's radio transceiver, including Atara's. 

The people outside the compound carefully made their way through the metallic gate and onto the partly destroyed enclosing. The air encircling the ZED's barely there hide out was heavily impregnated with carbon dioxide released from the combustion and little flecks of black floating about, as a sign of the after math of the fire.