Chapter 567 Battle Stations

GAR

"…even moving in those numbers, they're going to reach the grasses—and water—within the night. The scouts haven't been able to reliably identify exactly where they are because they've got something keeping them obscured as they move."

"It fails sometimes, though," the bird said wearily, looking back and forth between him and Rika. "We get flashes. We have to be careful not to get too close, though, because we can't tell where their forward guard is. We can only see their passage when they've moved and we can't risk flying over them, or accidentally being identified by their technology, so the trackers stay far wide. We only get the indicators when it fails, usually just for seconds."

"What do you mean, it fails?" Rika asked quickly.

"There will be a moment when they become visible. Their lights, the noise, their scent, then they're gone again. We've already had one tracker that almost stumbled within range—you said a quarter mile, is that right? We're keeping our distance—and we can't fly with the moon out—but the last we sighted them, unless they were delayed by something within their ranks, they will reach the plain during the morning if they keep moving. And given that it will only be an hour or two of extra travel, I can't imagine that they'd stay on the sands."

Rika turned to face him and Gar's heart clenched at the determination on her face. "He's right. If they know they'll reach it before noon—I mean, high sun—they try and push for the forest because it's easier to camouflage and get water. Reece and I need to go, Gar."

"What?! No! This is too fast. We have to have a much clearer idea of where they are, and—"

"Gar, we need to stop them before they get off the desert. The water issue isn't as urgent for them, but anything that keeps them slower or more uncomfortable is only going to help us. Reece and I need to go—right now. So you all have time to make some diversions here and keep them away from the cover of the forest!"

"No, Rika, not without a plan—"

"We have a plan!"

"Not like this. There are still details—"

"Gar," Rika said, leaning closer, "You can't let your fear rule this. I want to help. This is how I can help. I need to get in there get the tech busted so the Protectors can sneak in and get the leaders. Then maybe you don't need to fight at all!"

"She's right, Gar," Tarkyn said quietly, sympathetically. Gar snapped his head up to meet Tarkyn's eyes and growled. "You stay out of this."

"No," the Captain said simply. "This is why we built our plan before we got here. For exactly this eventuality."

"I don't care, this is too fast. We haven't reviewed—we need to review first. And make sure we don't have any holes. Now we know how close they are, we have a better gauge on what will be needed from the guards—"

"But you all need to organize that while I'm already with the humans!" Rika insisted. "Gar, please, I don't want to fight you for this, but it's necessary—"

"I said, no, Rika. Not no forever, but not this moment. It's too dangerous."

Tarkyn looked at him, but Gar kept all his attention on his mate, his heart pounding mercilessly. He was squeezing her hand too hard he realized, and made himself loosen his grip.

But Rika, after giving him a pleading look, turned to Tarkyn. "You understand, right?"

Tarkyn nodded grimly. Gar tugged Rika behind him as he turned on the Captain, but Tarkyn raised his hands to soothe him.

"Here's what I propose," he said carefully. "Rika, you and Reece go take a drink, eat something, prepare anything you need to—you should consider making yourself look a little more… rumpled. Gar and I will speak with the scouts in detail, then we'll figure out a plan. You wait here, ready to go on our word."

"But—" Rika started.

But Gar growled at her, then, turning on her. "Don't make me fight you on this, Rika, please!" he snarled—not in anger, but… he was begging.

Rika sighed and put her free hand to his face. "Okay, okay," she said softly. "We'll go get ready, okay? You guys go have your meeting and we'll… we'll get ready. Don't fear for me, Gar. Please? Believe in me."

"I do believe in you."

"Good. Because I can do this. I just need you to trust me."

He watched her carefully, there was an odd thread running through her scent—a touch of grief. A steel resolve twined through it.

"I do trust you," he said gruffly. Tarkyn tipped his head to the two guards and they started off, deeper into the trees, to give the two a moment of privacy. But Gar was torn—he wanted to go with them, to convince them of… something that wouldn't tear Rika out of his grip already. But he didn't want to leave her.

"Go," she said, stepping into his chest, smoothing the front of his shirt with her sweet hands. "I'm going to go find Reece. We'll get ready. You guys go make all the decisions that need to be made and when the time is right, I'll go. You hear me, Gar? I love you. I can do this. Please… trust me."

He nodded. "I know. I know you can. I just… this whole night all I've been able to see is you, in their hands, the way those men won't—"

"If I can survive my dad and get here to find you, I can do this, Gar," she breathed, and the hint of a smile showed on her face. "I'm… I'm glad to have a way to help, Gar. I mean, I want you safe, too. You know that right? Please… no matter what happens over the next few days, don't make stupid decisions to try and help me, okay? Make the decisions that need to be made. I will too. We'll just have to trust the Creator that I am here for a reason and this is all going to work out."

He sighed and pulled her into his chest. "Please rest and drink and eat while you can," he said gruffly. "I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I'm going to do my best to find a way so you don't have to do this."

"Gar, you can't—"

"Watch me," he said quietly, then leaned down to kiss her softly, before he let her go and trotted after Tarkyn.

*****

RIKA

Her heart sank as Gar turned on his heel and trotted away, pushing through the undergrowth. He was so tense, his muscles steel under her hands. She wasn't sure what had happened while they were flying, but he'd obviously been tormenting himself, and now he was questioning the very thing she was here to do.

It broke her heart to let him go, but she knew if she told him, he'd stop her. So as he walked away, she prayed it wasn't the last sight of him she would ever see. When he was out of sight, she turned in the opposite direction, back out to the clearing where they'd landed to find Reece.

She located him, standing awkwardly to the side, near the trees, she put a hand to his arm. "Get a drink and something to eat. The humans are further ahead than they thought. We're leaving. Soon."