A SteelClaw Story
By Flynt, Kahreen and Llewelyn.
Art by Kahreen and Silver
Thanks to Ed for proofing and correcting the final version.
Previously on Clan SteelClaw Chronicles...
Harding was about to turn the screen off when a figure appeared. The mercenary's eyes widened as the brown skinned alien with large, white, opaque eyes looked at him. It spoke to him in a language Harding didn't understand, but the angry tone in the voice could be heard well enough. Harding hurriedly turned the screen off.
*****
Dawson left the room, returning a few minutes later clutching a sheet of paper. "It appears Mr. Harding has decided to tread in forbidden territory." He held up the computer generated image of the mercenary. " Main base records show he accessed the files pertaining to the invasion."
"But how?" the security chief asked. "The system was triple encrypted. No human could..."
"Well this one has." Dawson answered. He handed the security chief Harding's image. "Circulate this among the troops and send out extra patrols. This human must be found, as soon as possible!"
*****
"The transports have just finished deploying the troops." The security chief turned to face Dawson. "ETA to the creatures hideout is approximately 10 minutes."
Dawson nodded. "Let the games begin."
*****
"Umm...guys," Llewelyn's voice cut into the conversation as she intently eyed the screen. "Is this meant to do that?"
"Do what?" Kahreen rushed over and watched as the radar's arm began another sweep. About a dozen dots appeared briefly on the screen. The feliniod cursed.
"This isn't good is it?" Flynt asked.
"You got that right." Kahreen answered. "In about 10 minutes we are going to have company."
"Why did I know you were going to say that."
*****
Harding watched the radar as it completed a couple of circuits. "Thirty miles away? There's nothing out there. Only the forest and a handful of holiday dwellings. What can they being doing..." He straightened, looking as if he had been stuck. "Is THAT where they have been hiding!" Almost immediately his mind formulated a plan. "Corporal, get the men and ships ready, in two minutes we are moving out!"
"Where sir?"
Harding pointed at the radar. "There."
END GAME PART 1
*****
*1*
Thaylog surveyed the faces of those around him. All wore a mixture of apprehension and uncertainty. They had been unwittingly pulled into a war none of them had wanted. Now the time had come to make a stand. He adjusted his headset and checked the laser weapon he held in his hands before addressing the clan.
"Remember that we have the advantage here," he said. "The traps we set will neutralize a fair number of the troops Dominion sends against us on the ground."
"And those fighters they have in the air will get an even bigger surprise," Kahreen said as she lowered herself down from the laser cannon beneath her ship. "I've managed to get it working but I have no idea how long it'll last. Still," she turned and smiled at her handiwork, "it'll be something they won't expect."
"And that gives us another advantage," Flynt commented as he adjusted his weapons settings.
Thaylog nodded. "Remember Flynt, most of these humans don't realize what they are doing. We must avoid permanently injuring or killing them if possible."
"I doubt that Dominion will be as considerate when they have us in their sights."
"Aye," Diamond said. "You ask the impossible. How can we defend ourselves if we cannot defeat out foes?"
"Knock 'em out," Llewelyn suggested. "Just put them out of action for a while."
"The only good enemy is a dead one." Diamond muttered.
Flynt raised his hand. "All right Thay; if it's possible. But no promises..."
The distant sound of a small explosion cut off any further conversation. Chaz started at the bright flash in the woods and clung to his mother's leg. Silver laid a reassuring hand on her son's head and looked back at the small gathering of gargoyles in front of the mansion.
"They're here," she said as she began to lead Chaz onto Kahreen's ship. Sirius gave a low growl in the direction of the wood before turning and following his young master.
Flynt face was grim as he looked at Thaylog. "This is
it."
******
*2*
This couldn't be happening.
Sabrina crouched behind a rock and steadied herself. Eight minutes had passed since the radar had detected Dominion's ships approaching the mansion: eight minutes since they had made ready to protect what was theirs. She glanced to her left. Approximately twenty feet away Llewelyn stood behind a tree, almost invisible in the shadows. Every now and then a faint glow would emanate from Llewelyn's hands; she was nervous and tense and Sabrina couldn't blame her. She looked down at her own hands. It was hard to believe they weren't shaking; she could feel the fear and anticipation building up inside her yet the need to protect overwhelmed them. Wasn't that what gargoyles did? Protect? And even if they did fall surely those on Avalon would act. Surely her sister and the rest of her kin would come to their aid if one of Avalon's own was threatened. Thoughts of Mallory brought a lump to her throat. She hadn't seen her sister in years. If all didn't go well then chances were that she would never see her again. Her fists clenched as she stared into the darkness.
"That's not going to happen." she whispered. "I promise."
A flash some two hundred yards ahead of her made her shield her eyes. Like it or not Dominion was here. She glanced over at Llewelyn and nodded. Both gargoyles disappeared into the darkness...it was time for the games to begin.
******
*3*
Thaylog watched the small group of troopers as they began to fan out and advance on his position. He tightened his grip on the laser rifle he carried with him. Vashkoda was close by, he could smell her even if he could not see her. When they had split into groups she has originally wanted to go with Llewelyn, it had been with some reluctance that she agreed to accompany him. She had also declined to carry a weapon, claiming that claw, sting and stealth were weapons enough for her. Like many of the others, she had the smell of magic around her. Perhaps it was this magic that helped her vanish into her surroundings so effectively.
Thaylog raised the rifle and aimed. Magic and technology were strange bedfellows but if they aided this clan...his clan, then he would use whatever he could.
Voices came through his headset. The remainder of the clan were in place. His eyes blazed red as he pulled the trigger. After so many years alone he was not about to lose this new family he had gained.
Not now, not ever.
*****
"I'm supposed to fire the cannon?" Silver raised an eyeridge. "Can't you do it?"
Kahreen turned from surveying the scene below. "Hey I've got enough to do here. Juggling navigation, piloting and keeping the cloak running isn't as easy as it looks. Besides it's better if others learn to operate this thing." She returned her attention to the screen. "Just in case."
"Ok." Silver sat down at the only other spare seat in the cockpit. "So I just aim this and pull the trigger?" Silver peered into the viewfinder while her right hand found and gripped the joystick-like firing mechanism.
"Yeah mom, just like a video game." Chaz had appeared at the doorway to the cockpit.
Silver jerked and looked up from the viewfinder. "Chaz! Get back into the hold and put your harness on!"
"But mother..."
"Please Chaz. I don't want you getting hurt. Besides," she smiled at her young son. "You have an important job to do. Making sure that Sirius doesn't come to any harm."
"OK." sighed Chaz as he returned to the main section of the ship. "But I still think you've got all the fun stuff to do."
"It's wonderful when they're at that age." Kahreen commented dryly as she brought the ship around.
Silver looked up from the viewfinder. "Why do you say that?"
Kahreen smiled. "Life hasn't got its dirty claws into them yet."
Silver frowned and returned her attention to the viewfinder. "I have three targets that have come into range."
"Then it's time to see how good a shot you are." Kahreen flicked a switch and opened the radio channel the clan were using. "Thaylog?"
"Yes?"
"We're beginning our attack."
"Understood."
*****
"Watch out!"
Thaylog instinctively ducked as an unseen trooper was brought down behind him."
Llewelyn knelt down beside the fallen trooper. "Out cold... just like the rest."
"My thanks," rumbled Thaylog as he turned and fired at another trooper who had come too close.
"Don't these guys know when to quit?"
Llewelyn stood and watched the woodland as bursts of laser fire and the sound of fighting interrupted the still of the night.
The rustle of leaves behind them made both gargoyles spin around, weapons drawn.
They relaxed slightly when Sabrina stepped out of the shadows "Only me!" she said.
"And me," added Vash as she lowered her hood.
Thaylogs face became sullen. "Vashkoda! Sabrina! I wish you wouldn't appear like that... I'm on edge as it is."
"Sorry Thay," said Vash. "I've been using this magic hood for so long I sometimes forget to warn people I'm invisible."
"These guys aren't staying in one place," muttered Llewelyn, her hand beginning to glow with the light of a new fireball. Another group of troopers had appeared at the edge of the clearing the gargoyles found themselves in.
"No they aren't." agreed Vash, as she watched two more soldiers appear at the other edge of the clearing. "What they're doing is trapping us!"
The four gargoyles moved into a circle, facing outwards..
"They can just cut is down if they wish!" Vash exclaimed.
"No they won't." Thaylog raised his rifle and aimed it at the thinnest part of this human wall. "They are in a circle formation. If they fire they will more likely hit their comrades on the other side of the circle than hit us. It's bad tactics."
"Then what do we do?"
"The humans seem to be more sparse there." Thaylog kept his rifle trained on the humans who now seemed to have halted. "We will attack as one and break through. Once clear, take to the air and regroup...we need to draw these humans to more of the traps."
The three female gargoyles nodded.
"Ready... NOW--"
Thaylog broke off in mid-cry as a laser blast from the sky scattered the troopers on one side of the circle. Taking their chance, the gargoyles broke through the circle, leaving a number of confused troopers behind them.
"Hey nice shot Silver!"
Silver raised her head from the viewfinder and grinned at Kahreen. "Thanks."
"Things seem to be under some semblance of control here. I think we'll take out some of their ground vehicles and weapons before they get a chance to use them."
Silver nodded "If we blow up the road and block it they won't be able to get their vehicles anywhere near the mansion."
"Yeah," Kahreen nodded, "we may as well cause as much damage as we can before they either wise up to where we are and shoot us out of the sky or the cannon packs in."
"You know I think we might actually be able to pull this off. Dominion certainly wasn't expecting this kind of resistance."
Kahreen frowned as she looked at the sensor readout. "You might want to save that thought," she straightened up and looked out of the window. Several small shapes, rapidly growing in size had appeared in the sky. "I think they just sent in the cavalry".
******
*4*
Flynt dumped the unconscious trooper to the ground. A quick glance revealed that Diamond had disposed of her opponent similarly.
"Great. Two down, who knows how many more to go."
"Make that three," Dayia said, as she came dashing out to the undergrowth.
"Even better," the tan gargoyle responded. He looked at the two. "Okay, lets keep moving. The more places we seem to be at once, the harder it will be for Dominion to keep track of us."
As Flynt started to move off, the sound of steel scraping against leather brought him up short. He turned to see Diamond kneeling over one of the unconscious troopers, dagger in hand.
"What are you doing!?"
Diamond growled as her eyes glowed briefly. "Making sure these monsters will never endanger us again."
"No!" Flynt stepped forward. "Thaylog wanted no killing if it could be helped!"
"We are fighting for our lives here!" Diamond countered. "We should take the advantage while we have it!"
"Not like this!" the blood lust in Diamond's eyes worried the tan gargoyle. "These three have been taken care of. We have to move on. Please, put the dagger away."
"Guys?" Dayia intervened. "We better get moving!"
Flynt nodded in agreement as he looked at Diamond. "Lets go. Now."
Diamond hesitated for a moment, before reluctantly sheathing her weapon. "And I thought you were a warrior."
Flynt twirled angrily. "That's exactly what I am! Not a butcher! To kill an enemy in battle, one on one, is understandable," he pointed to the prone soldiers on the ground nearby. "But I will not be party to murdering defenseless opponents! It's wrong, can't you see that?"
Diamond brushed angrily past with a snarl. Flynt began to follow, slowing as he brought a hand up to his headset. He scowled and nodded several times. "All right. The south side of the mansion. We're on our way."
Dayia stood beside him. "Is it that bad?"
Flynt looked up with a worried expression. "Dominion are pushing in from the south. They're forcing us back. They have air support; too much for Kahreen's ship to handle alone," he frowned. "Thaylog thinks we many have to fall back."
Dayia nodded in understanding and deftly climbed the nearest tree to gain height for gliding. Flynt looked around, only to find Diamond was already airborne, heading back to the mansion. Following Dayia up the tree, he caught the thermal and quickly caught up to the dark haired gargess, mumbling under his breath. Dayia shot Flynt a questioning look.
"Diamond is a good warrior and an able fighter," Flynt said. "But we have to work as a team, if we have any chance of success. That means following orders." He pointed to her distant form. "And not heading off alone in the middle of a battle."
"She's been alone for a long time," Dayia answered. "It wouldn't be easy."
Flynt shook his head. "We're risking our lives as it is, without taking senseless chances." He flapped his wings to gain speed. "I'll won't see another gargoyle die needlessly," he muttered. "Never again."
Dayia overheard the comment and was about to ask the tan gargoyle to elaborate, but Flynt's attention had turned to the south, to where the rest of the clan was. She decided to ask him later. Dayia followed Flynt's gaze.
That is... if there was a later for any of them.
*****
*5*
The technician looked at the view screen. A look of
relief flickered across his features for a moment before he turned and looked at
Robert Dawson. The Dominion CEO was standing only a few feet away from him,
although he wished it was much further.
"Sir, the gargoyles are withdrawing."
Dawson glanced in his direction. The technician shrank back. The white orbs of the possessed humans eyes were bad enough but the expression on Dawson's face sent a chill speeding down his spine. The older man spoke.
"Then make sure that they do not go far. I want those gargoyles captured."
"All of them?"
Dawson considered this for a second. "If certain gargoyles give the men too much trouble then they can be removed but..."
He walked closer until he was mere inches from the nervous man. "It is vital we retain some specimens of both sexes. These gargoyles and their kind will reveal their secret to us and then we can continue."
The technician nodded. "Yes sir." He inched a few paces sideways so that he could get away from Dawson. "I'll relay that message to the troops."
Dawson looked down at the now-abandoned workstation. Images of the fight in the forest were relayed onto the screen. They showed the position of the troops surrounding the mansion, glimpses here and there of gargoyles moving through the trees...but something was wrong, something was missing. Dawson straightened up. He knew what it was...
"Harding!" he hissed.
The people in the room jumped.
Dawson turned to them. "Has the human been located yet?"
One of the people working at the stations that was coordinating the attack on the mansion glanced nervously at him. That was enough to warrant the Dominion boss's full attention. The woman fidgeted nervously before looking back up at Dawson, her milky white eyes meeting his own.
"Well?" He asked as he began to walk towards her.
She glanced at the others in the room and then back at Dawson. "Those that you sent out to locate the human have so far reported no sightings they-"
Dawson brought his hand up, cutting the woman off in mid-sentence. "They will be disciplined for their tardiness. Remove some of the troops from the mansion and set them to locating Harding."
"But," the woman opened her mouth to continue and then rapidly shut it again.
"But what?"
"We... we don't know if Harding is still in the Newbridge area. "A-and can we afford to send people looking for him at this moment in time?"
"We can spare them. It will not be long before we have the gargoyles; it would take a miracle to save them now. As for Harding, creatures like him will not run away. They're like those dogs that bite and never let go... even after they are dead. He'll be around."
*****
Harding lowered his night vision binoculars and looked over at Sanderson. "It's a good thing most people in this area are acting like zombies."
Sanderson nodded. "It would be a certain bet that someone would see us and want to intervene." He raised his own binoculars and watched the flashes of light that were illuminating the night sky above the forest. "Still, you have to give it to those gargoyles, there giving those Dominion goons one hell of a run for their money."
"True." he paused and indicated the craft behind him. "But why should we let a bunch of gargoyles enjoy beating the crap out of Dominion?"
"Time to move out?"
"Yes." Harding turned to the other mercenaries. "You remember the plan?"
There were nods from all those gathered.
"Then lets go."
*****
*6*
Elsewhere, others watched the battle unfold before them. Calun raised his eyes from shimmering images within the pool of water.
"The warriors fight bravely." The blue colored gargoyle stated. "But the forces they fight are too many. I fear that even with their skill, they may not succeed."
Ceridwen nodded in agreement. "Up until now all we have done is set the stage. Brought the warriors together. The time has come for a more direct approach."
"How so? Reveal ourselves to them?" Calun frowned.
"No," Ceridwen replied. "We cannot even materialize fully on the their plane. To try would require too much energy."
"I know." Calun sighed. " I still remember the past, when the Ancient Ways were still strong. We could travel as we wished."
"One day we shall again. For now, we can best aid them from here, where we are most powerful. I have an idea." Whispering lightly, she passed her hand over the surface of the pool. "There," she said, with a satisfied smile. "It is done."
******
*7*
"They're still coming," growled Sabrina in frustration, flipping one human that got too close over her shoulder. "Hope Flynt and crew are doing better than we are."
"Not really," came a voice from the bushes, as Flynt came out meeting a laser rifle and fireballs aimed at him. A sigh of relief passed through the gargoyles as they lowered their weapons. "There's a whole drove of them behind us, too."
"We need a way out of here and quick," Dayia added as she and Diamond joined the others.
"We have to withdraw," said Thaylog, firing his own laser rifle. "But I don't think they're going to make it very easy on us." The laser blasts from the enemy became increasingly more intense with each passing second. The rustling of leaves and the snapping of branches could be heard as even more troopers began to approach.
Vashkoda leaped at Llewelyn, throwing her to the ground when laser blasts hit the trees just above their heads. "If anyone has a good idea, now would be the time."
"I've got one, but it mostly involves moving to a nice tropical beach as far from here as possible, " Llewelyn said, pulling herself off the ground. Suddenly, everything seemed to blur for the dust colored gargoyle. The shouts of her clanmates and the noise of battle faded all around her until all she could see was a flaming bird in her vision. A soft voice seemed to whisper repeatedly in her very mind. "The phoenix, Llewelyn. The phoenix..."
"Llewelyn? Hey, Llew!" came Vashkoda's voice, the gargoyle suddenly coming back to reality. "Are you all right? Now's not exactly the best time to zone out on us."
"I'm just fine, Vash. In fact, think I might just have an idea," she said grinning.
*****
"Are you going to be able to pull this off, Llew?"
asked Vashkoda as the troopers numbers began to increase around the clan.
"Of course! I know almost exactly what I'm doing," Llewelyn said. "Now, get out of here. I'll meet you all back at Kah's ship." Vashkoda looked back at the other gargess one more time before following the others through the trees.
"All right," began Llewelyn, once the clan was out of sight and the soldiers surrounded her. "There's about two fifty of you and one of me. I believe we can all see these odds are a little in my favor so, why don't you all just give up now?"
The humans answered her by raising their weapons and aiming on the gargoyle.
"Guess we'll have to do this the hard way then..."
Fire engulfed Llewelyn's entire body as she concentrated with all her might. It flickered all around her, growing until the gargoyle was barely seen though the flames. Suddenly, her arms rose, forcing the fire into the air above troopers. Shooting into the sky, a piercing screech could be heard from the flames as it formed the shape of an immense bird.
"Here's a little surprise for you, boys," said Llewelyn. "One phoenix, compliments of my clan!"
With that, the bird of fire dove through the trees toward the humans as they ran. Some tried firing their weapons at it, only to see the blasts just pass through the flames. The phoenix would shoot toward the ground at the soldiers only to turn back upward at the last second, sending the terrified humans running for their lives.
"Awww," Llewelyn grinned as the last of the soldiers fled. "Looks like nobody appreciates my little present. Oh well..." She snapped her fingers and the phoenix faded from the air. Llewelyn then vanished in a burst of fire leaving the woods in silence.
******
Silver's eyes opened wide as she saw the phoenix. She shuddered at the fire and the nagging doubt formed in her mind: 'fire or Fire?' Her distant memories of an encounter with an evil Fire Sprite made her shudder.
"Maybe this is a sign," she mumbled to herself, sweat forming on her brow. "Maybe it's an escape, or my life is finding stability, or maybe Nightangel will return, or..."
She swallowed dry.
"No, I have a family. But it isn't complete. It can never be complete without..."
She trailed off, eyes squeezed closed over a rim of tears.
"SILVER!" Kahreen's bellowed.
With a start the gargoyle returned to reality. Kahreen, swearing as the shots parried past the ship, did not notice Silver's change of mood.
"What is it?"
Kahreen looked at her as something thudded into the side of the ship and almost threw Silver out of her seat.
"The cloak just failed." Kahreen gasped, grimacing slightly as she righted herself in her seat. It was as if whatever had thudded into the craft had hurt her also. Considering the number of wires that snaked down from the back of Kahreen's neck and into the console in front of her, Silver didn't find that to hard to believe.
"And that means?"
"We have to get out of here...we're sitting ducks."
"Can we outrun them?"
Kahreen shook her head.
"Then..?"
Silver was interrupted as a voice came over Kahreen's radio. "Get your squad out of here. Follow me east! My men will provide cover fire."
"Harding." The shock in Kahreen's voice was apparent. "What the hell... you've got to be kidding!!"
"Look, you want to save yourself and you gargoyle buddies, then follow me." Harding's voice crackled over the static. "I'm risking my ass here... follow me, or stay and get blown to bits. This time it's *your* choice. "
Kahreen swung her ship around, unsure of what to say, when Thaylogs voice came over the receiver. "We are being pushed back. We have no choice." The ivory gargoyle pushed his remote headset closer to his ear as he caught a thermal and wheeled around. "We must withdraw."
"Wise choice gargoyle." Harding responded. "Just keep on my six and we'll get out of here in one piece."
Kahreen gritted her teeth. "I have a lock on you Harding, if this even looks like a trap, I'll blow you out of the sky."
The mercenary laughed. "I wouldn't expect anything different. But we share a common enemy, and I need you as much as you need me. Like it or not we are allies... for now."
Kahreen frowned. She didn't like it, not at all. But preferences didn't come into it. They had no choice.
"Where is everyone Thaylog?"
"Close by...Llewelyn managed to give us some breathing space."
"I noticed. Hang on and I'll pick you up." Kahreen turned and looked at Silver. "There's a hatch close to the rear of the ship," she told the brown gargess. "Open it and let the others in."
Silver nodded, left her chair and made her way to the rear of the ship.
*****
*8*
The clan looked around the clearing suspiciously, receiving similar looks from the gathered mercenaries. The area was filled with equipment and vehicles, mostly covered by camouflage netting, rendering it almost invisible from the air.
"I don't get it." Sabrina whispered. "They saved us there. Why?"
"Dunno," Llewelyn shrugged. "But we were getting our butts kicked back there. Though I hate to say it... I'd rather be around these humans than what we were facing before."
"That," Flynt said, keeping an eye on the mercenaries, "remains to be seen."
Kahreen stepped forward as Harding approached. "I think we're about to get our explanation. The pair faced each other for several seconds, eyes locked.
"You were right," Harding finally said. "I had an eyeball at those files. Dawson's got to be stopped."
"Well, this is a change of heart," Kahreen responded with a trace of sarcasm.
Harding smirked. "I'm a lot of things, but not a traitor. I won't stand to see my home taken over by some slimy bastards from outer space." He paused and looked at the gargoyles. "And I didn't risk my neck for you out of the goodness of my heart. I want your help."
"Our help?" Thaylog stepped forward. "And then what? Dispose of us at your convenience."
"Wait Thaylog," Kahreen said. "We can't stop Dawson on our own, and neither can Harding."
"Exactly. You and your kind have given me a lot of trouble this past few months. Together, we may be able to stop them. After it's over..." Harding shrugged. "I don't care. Do what you want... if we survive."
"Thaylog," Flynt whispered. "His weapons would come in handy. If we fail... we are dead anyway; the whole planet will be. We have nothing to loose."
Thaylog nodded. "It seems we have little choice." He turned to Harding. "Very well, what do you propose?"
Harding looked momentarily lost. "I'm... not exactly sure yet."
"Well," Kahreen said. "We'd better think up something and fast."
*****
"One frustration after another, after another!"
Dawson's hand clenched the pencil tightly, tighter and tighter until it broke with a loud snap. His eyes searched the radar screens.
He slammed his fist onto the desk and glared at his security chief. "First you tell me the gargoyles escaped and now that Harding's mercenaries aided them?"
"Y-Yes sir," the chief responded, clearly shaken by the outburst. "The ships that appeared were identified as the ones we supplied to the mercenaries. Also a search of the gargoyles' home revealed little. There are several computers there, but they were all blank. All attempts at data retrieval failed. It looks like they were erased with a virus."
Dawson sighed. "So I am supposed to tell main base that we failed in a simple 'search and capture' operation? Or perhaps you would like that honor?"
"No sir."
"I didn't think so. Keep some troops around the mansion, it's possible they may try to return there. And search the surrounding areas thoroughly! I want every square mile checked. Those gargoyles and mercenaries must be captured!"
The security chief straightened. "Will do, sir."
"Timing is critical," Dawson said. "And my patience is at an end. Failure is not an option. You would do well to remember that."
*****
The scene beneath the camouflage netting was strange site. Around a large table, illuminated by a small battery powered lamp, gargoyles and mercenaries stood together, looking at a large map of Newbridge City and its surrounding areas. The irony of the situation was not lost on anyone. Once hunters and the hunted, the two groups now formed an uneasy alliance, drawn together by necessity against a common enemy. So far the meeting had gone surprisingly smoothly. Harding looked up from the map.
"Right. We know Dawson has his HQ at the research center. And this base you described is somewhere around... here." The commander pointed to the mountainous region on the map. "You can be damn sure that's where Dawson is getting his supplies from. Problem is, what can we do about it?"
"We should take out the research center." Sanderson said. "Blow it sky high."
Flynt crossed his arms. "To kill a snake, you must cut off its head. It's the mountain base we should be concentrating on."
"Oh that's really smart gargoyle," a mercenary sneered. "From what we know, the base is deep in the mountain. There wouldn't be enough of us to do anything. If we tried, it would be over before it starts."
Flynt's eyes glowed faintly in anger. "I suppose you have a better idea, human?" he growled.
"Enough!" Sanderson shouted. "We aren't here to argue among ourselves!"
Harding sighed. This alliance was tenuous at best. "The mountain base is out of the question, as is blowing up the research center". He looked at the group. "The citizens are there too. Enough innocent lives have been lost."
"What then?"
The mercenary commander looked at the map. "A surgical strike on the research base. Something to delay Dawson, and let him know we are still here. If we can knock out the communications relay to his "friends" that may buy us some time." He glanced at Thaylog. "And give you time to work on this cure of yours."
Thaylog nodded. "Kahreen will take me to my R&D labs tomorrow. "
Flynt looked at his friend in surprise. "We need you here, Thay. Isn't there another way?"
"I fear not. Now that we cannot return to the mansion, I cannot contact them any other way."
The tan gargoyle nodded in understanding, but clearly unhappy with this turn of events.
"We still have a problem." Llewelyn spoke up. "Like Dayia said, what if the cure doesn't work. How will we know?
"We will need some one to test it on." Diamond responded. "One of the infected humans."
"That should be easy enough." One of the mercenaries added. "There are enough of them about."
Harding raised his hand. "Alright then, we are going to need two teams. One for the research base, Sanderson that'll be your baby. The other team will be a diversion, keeping Dawson's goons busy. Any takers?"
*****
Sanderson eased himself onto the old tree stump, unwrapping a chocolate bar and pondering the earlier meeting. Tomorrow night he would lead a combined mercenary/gargoyle mission on the research base. He thought of the winged beings. They were a smart lot, definitely not the monsters he had been led to believe. He found he was starting to get used to them being around. War certainly made for strange bedfellows. He pondered this thought for a moment, when the sound of barking and running feet caused him to look up. There was what appeared to be a cross between a gargoyle and a big dog - and it was running full tilt towards him!
"Cripes!" the mercenary scrambled to his feet, tripping over the stump and landing flat on his backside. He watched as the gargoyle beast skidded to a stop in front of him and barked once, it's tongue hanging lopsidedly from its mouth.
"Nice... um doggy, good boy." Sanderson remained frozen, watching as the beast sat down, cocking its head slightly and looking at him. 'Good god,' he thought. 'What do I do now?'
"Sirius! Sirius!" The sound of a child's voice reached the mercenary's ears. "Bad boy! Why did you run away like that?" Chaz slowed, approaching hesitantly as he saw his pet and the fallen human.
"Umm... sorry." The young gargoyle grabbed Sirius by the nape of his neck and tried to pull him away. "He won't hurt you. I think he smelt your chocolate."
Sanderson had regained some of his injured pride and clambered to his feet. Sirius gave a whine and eyed the candy in the mercenary's hand. Sanderson broke off a piece.
"Wait! He can do tricks," Chaz said proudly. "C'mon Sirius! Beg!"
The gargoyle beast sat on his haunches. Sanderson grinned and placed the piece of candy just above Sirius's nose. With surprising gentleness Sirius took the food, settling back down and munching on it approvingly.
"See." Chaz said smiling. "I told ya."
"He's a very clever... clever Sirius." The mercenary looked at the remnants of the bar in his hand. He offered it to Chaz. "Here you go son, enjoy it."
"Thanks mister. You aren't like the other humans. Why do they want to hurt us?"
Sanderson looked at the gargoyle child as he tried to think of an answer. "I guess sometimes people believe lies, and don't understand when something is different."
"Chaz, I thought I told you stay near the clan!" Silver approached warily, keeping her eyes on the mercenary. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry Mom," Chaz answered. "Sirius ran off and I had to find him. And look, we got chocolate!"
"It's alright ma'am." Sanderson said. "No harm would have come to the boy. I was keeping an eye on him."
Silver's eyes strayed to the candy bar and back to Chaz. "Come on Chaz, time to go." As she led her son and his pet away, she glanced back over her shoulder at Sanderson.
"Thank you."
Sanderson smiled.
*****
*9*
Dawson stared the blinking communications switch on his console. The incoming transmission was not from the mountain base, but from the fleet itself. His finger hovered over the button as he considered how to word his report to his superiors. He had a feeling they would not think highly of the situation so far. What should have been a simple mission, preparing the planet for an invasion fleet, had been hampered time and time again. Dawson, or rather the alien that inhabited his body, had overseen a few missions like this before in its life, and the problems it was experiencing now frustrated it intensely. On one hand, some things were going well. The mountain base had produced enough toxin to totally cover the country. Once the fleet arrived it would be a simple matter of dispersing the gas nationwide. Once the humans here had been infected, ships could be sent out, spreading the toxin on a global scale. Then, with the aid of the infected humans, stripping of the planetary resources could begin in earnest.
But the humans weren't the problem. They could be dealt with easily. It was those damn gargoyle life forms! Creatures immune to both the toxin and the Trematodeans themselves. Dawson's research of the media had shown this group was not the only one on the planet. There had been numerous sightings over the years world wide. Some confirmed and some rumored, but from Dawson's present experience he was inclined to believe the rumors true also. If one small group could cause him so much grief, what about other places where there could be gargoyles in even greater numbers? Or what if some of these groups united and presented an even greater force for the invaders to deal with? He frowned. Delaying the report wouldn't change anything. He sighed, and finally pressed the receive button.
*****
"I was getting so used to our new life of luxury." Llewelyn grinned as she and Sabrina set up a tent. The gargoyles had made camp a short distance from the main mercenary base. Though some of the clan still harbored a distrust of their human companions, there was also an element of hesitant reassurance, that they were among others with the same goal as theirs. Llewelyn gave a little yelp as she tightened the tent rope, and saw the front pole teeter sideways. She and Sabrina scramble for the pole, grabbing at it and succeeding in bringing the rest of the tent down. Llewelyn growled.
"Give me the mansion over a tent any day!"
"We'll get it back. And soon enough. Our home, our town, everything." Flynt's voice cut through the air as he approached. He bent over and grabbed the pole, righting it and holding it steady as the two gargess secured the ropes. Between the three of them they had the tent up in a matter of minutes. Once finished Flynt looked at Llewelyn.
"That was a good piece of work, with the phoenix."
Llewelyn smiled and snapped her fingers, producing a miniature version of a phoenix that hovered above her hand.
"Fire is fun." Llewelyn looked at the miniature bird and frowned slightly. "It's weird you know. It's like...I dunno. The idea came to me, but it didn't. Almost like I was told . Crazy huh?"
"No. " Flynt answered. "Not really. Strange things can happen in battle. Quick actions like yours have often meant the difference between failure and success."
"But we didn't succeed." Sabrina stated. "Dominion drove us off."
"True," Flynt nodded. "But we are alive and now have the chance to strike back."
"You think we can? Put a stop to Dominion?"
"All we can do is try." The three looked up at the sound of Thaylog's voice and watched as he and Kahreen approached. "Since this all started, we have been on the back foot, barely staying a step ahead. The time has come to draw the line, and it is here."
Other clan members soon gathered around, their eyes on Thaylog. The ivory gargoyle looked at each in turn, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the intensity of their attention. He cleared his throat.
"A little over a year ago, many of us didn't know one another, or even aware of the presence of other gargoyles so close by. But now, we have brought together by the strangest of circumstances. No matter what the outcome I am proud to know you all, both as clanmates...and as friends."
There were smiles and murmurs all around as, for a brief moment, the clan forgot about their present worries.
"Well," Flynt told his leader. "We're as ready as we're going to be." He laid a hand on Thaylog's shoulder. "Just make it back in one piece with your magic potion. We'll be waiting."
"And you too, all of you... good luck with your missions." Thaylog responded.
Kahreen stepped forward. "I hate to interrupt this long goodbye, but if we want to get moving Thay, now is the time. It's only a couple hours 'til dawn and it'll be better if we used the cover of night."
"Agreed."
Flynt frowned. "Yes, the dawn."
"What is it?" Thaylog asked.
"Maybe I'm being paranoid, but turning to stone in the middle of a camp full of humans isn't on my top ten list of things I'd like to do. " Flynt answered. "Can we fully trust them?"
"Yeah." Dayia agreed. "We could wake up prisoners...or worse."
Thaylog shook his head. " I don't see any other option. Harding seems genuine in his willingness to help. The humans stand to loose as much as we do if this fails."
Flynt nodded in agreement. "Still, right now not having stone sleep would be very handy. We will be defenseless."
"Umm." Sabrina raised her hand. "I don't have to. Need stone sleep that is."
"Really!" The look of astonishment on Flynt's face was mirrored by some of the other clan members.
"I'm part fae." Sabrina explained. "I can stop myself from changing to stone if I want."
"Aye, me too." Diamond stepped forward, raising her wrist , showing a small diamond shaped tattoo. "Magic inherited from my mother." There was a trace of bitterness in her voice as she looked at her tattoo. "It is an unpleasant experience and I will be drained by the day's end, but if it needs to be done..."
"Add me to the list," Silver said. "I can stand watch during daylight as well."
"Would you do that?" Llewelyn asked. "Guard the rest of us as we sleep?"
The three nodded.
"You could do it in shifts." Vashkoda suggested. "That way you could get at least some rest."
"Agreed." Flynt said. He looked at the three females. "I know we will all feel better knowing we will be protected as we sleep."
"It's settled then." Thaylog said. He looked at the pre-dawn sky. "It's best that Kahreen and I were off." The group made their way outside the compound towards Kahreen's ship. Thaylog felt Flynt press something into his palm. It was a small dagger. Flynt's eyes traveled from the ivory gargoyle to Kahreen, who had just entered the ship to begin the pre-flight sequence. Thaylog looked at his friend curiously.
"There won't be anyone around to watch your back my friend," Flynt explained. "Think of it as a good luck charm."
Thaylog tucked the dagger into his armor. "Let's hope I won't have a use for it. At least not the way you imply."
Flynt nodded. "Me too. But it's best to be prepared."
After a brief round of farewells, Thaylog boarded Kahreen's ship. The clan watched in silence as the hatch slowly closed. The ships engines hummed to life, slowly growing louder as the old spacecraft rose off the ground, climbing vertically and slowly changing direction before suddenly shooting skywards, growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared into the inky blackness of the night.
To be concluded
