Broken Knowledge

Chapter 21

     "I called that shit right from the get-go! What did I tell ya!"Pearl teased.
     "Pearl, shit the fuck up about it!"Mara snapped.
     "Fine," Pearl huffed."But I don't plan on letting you forget what you did earlier easily."
     Well, that's the kinda thing you don't forget even if you don't want to. Mara thought. In a way, that had been her first kiss, but Mara didn't feel any real connection other than Alan's surprise.
     "Are you sure you want to risk being in a relationship with a human?" Callie said."I mean, I don't think you guys will make anything work?"
     "Could you guys please drop it!" Mara exclaimed."I don't want to talk about this!"
      Everyone went silent.
     "Excuse me, Mara is it?" A women said.
     "Yes."
     "Could I speak with you privately?" The woman said.
     Mara was hesitant, but said,"Uhhhh sure."
     The women led Mara to the back of the plane, behind all the supplies and said,"You don't have to listen to them you know."
     Mara hugged herself uncomfortably.
     "I'm not gonna preach to you l, but all I'm gonna say is, they can't tell you what to do. You can do whatever you want, and they can't do anything about it. Just think about it."
     The woman walked away, leaving Mara alone with her thoughts.
     Mara waited a few minutes, enjoying the solitude and silence. Then she returned to the group and sat down in her seat.
     She faced away from everyone else, and stared out the window, looking towards Beta 1.
     Stay safe Alan, stay safe.

                          😐

     "How long have we got?"
     "The first wave is predicted to arrive in an hour."
     "Than we have time to prepare," Alan said."Are the civilians in the bunkers?"
     "Yes sir."
     "Good. Now put the anti-aircraft cannons in the alleys between the buildings, and have their barrels pointing out the edges of the alleys."
     "Wouldn't it be better to just line them in the streets?"
     "That would leave us open to enemy fire. In the alleys, they'll have protection and concealment."
     "Alright, I'll order the men."
     "Good, now go!" Alan said, shooing the man away.
     God help us. Alan thought as he watched his regiment of men prepare.

                             😓

     "Status report."
     "The attack will commence in approximately 20 minutes."
     "Excellent. Tell the bombers to target the bunkers."
     "Yes sir."