Reconquest: Mother Earth

Chapter XXVIII

Chapter XXVIII

Ethan was the first to greet Mitch, lifting him up in a big bear hug. "Mitch Grace, as I live and breathe. I thought you left us forever. God, it's good to see you." 

Mitch recognized most of the faces in the crowd.  

Elizabeth hugged him, tears streaming down her face. "I can't believe it's really you." She buried her head in his chest.  

As Elizabeth clung to him, the others surrounded him, patting him on the back and giving him their well-wishes. It sounded as if a million people were trying to talk to him at once.  

When Elizabeth let go, he spotted Corey Goss at the back of the crowd. Corey was hard to miss since he stood a head taller than anyone else. He fought through the crowd, and they clasped hands.  

"I'm glad you're back, boss. I knew you'd return. I kept tellin' the others, we can't let up for a minute, because Mitch will be back, and we got to be ready. We've got a lot of work to do." 

Mitch wanted to say something, but was too choked up. He rarely let his emotions overtake him, but being here after all this time was overwhelming.  

Fortunately, Ethan came to his rescue. "Work? We haven't seen Mitch in two years. We have plenty of time to work. Tonight we celebrate." 

A loud cheer came from the crowd.  

"How did you get out, boss?" Corey asked.  

Mitch took a deep breath. "It's a long story. I'm just so glad to be back; I don't have the words to express it." 

"We're glad to have you," Ethan said. "Those first few months were trying, but we stayed together. Now that you're here, things are going to get better. I can feel it." 

Mitch nodded. "Where's Deborah?" 

"She left a few days ago to scout an alien encampment," Elizabeth explained. "She's supposed to return today. In fact, she should be coming back soon." 

For a moment the attention shifted away from Mitch as Merelda's ship energized. With no fanfare, she launched. In the blink of an eye, her vessel was no longer visible. Mitch waved good-bye. For all his hatred of the aliens, he wouldn't be alive if not for the kindness two had shown him. He fully intended on taking her up on her offer to help in his guerilla war.  

"What was that all about?" Ethan asked. "Did you get a ride on an alien taxi?" 

"Not exactly. That was Merelda. She's a good friend and will make a good ally." 

"I'm sure you have a story to tell us," Ethan said. "I can't wait to hear it." 

"And you will, but first I want to settle into my old place and wait for Deborah." 

Elizabeth frowned. "Your leaving crushed her. Normally, she has everything under control, but she was on the verge of losing it those first few weeks. Then one day, she just resigned herself to what had happened and carried on." 

Ethan nodded. "She's done a great job, too, taking the leadership mantel of Libertà in your absence." 

"Libertà?" Mitch asked. 

"The new name of our community. It's Italian for freedom." 

Corey Goss took Mitch's duffel bags. "Let me help you out, boss. I'll walk you down to your pad." 

As they walked, he couldn't stop thinking about Deborah.  

***

Corey stayed an hour, going over what they had been doing from a military and intelligence standpoint. Mitch's mind drifted. Before long he would resume his old role, but for now it was hard to get out of his Gladiator mindset.