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Before she could even fire, there was a snap behind her. She spun around to come face to face with another alien. It was a trap! How had this happened? The alien took her laser gun and removed the disk from her outer jacket pocket.
�What do we do with her now?� the first alien asked.
�Kill her,� the second replied simply.
There was a laser blast from the woods. The alien closest to Whitney flew backward. Whitney dived to the ground and grabbed the disk that had fallen along with her laser gun. A horse could be heard running toward them. The second alien spun to fire as the riderless horse raced past. Zach suddenly jumped around the tree and rammed his sword into the alien. An orange colored liquid flooded out of the gash. Zach pulled his sword free and ran to his horse. He quickly mounted. Whitney approached and swung on the horse behind him. They rode at a gallop until they were far enough away. He stopped his horse so they both could dismount.
Whitney jumped to the ground and watched the man in black as he dismounted. She stared at the longhaired, masked mutant. He then turned to face her.
�I was worried you wouldn't show,� she quickly announced.
�Smidt told me what happened. He thought you might do something foolish,� he said then raised a brow. �I guess he was right.�
Whitney wondered how long Smidt was going to play out this fantasy. The only thing that threw her off was his voice.
�I have a plan, but I need your help to pull it off. Are you with me?� Whitney asked.
�I�m with you,� he announced. Zach wiped the orange substance from his sword and returned it to its rightful place under his long, black trench coat. She could see his laser gun on the other side of his hip. Zach then mounted his horse and extended his hand to her. She allowed him to help her onto the back of the horse. Zach sent the horse into a lope and they headed toward the nearby town and the war zone.
Fortunately Zach seemed to know the area fairly well. They were only a few minutes away from the mansion when Zach slowed the horse to a walk. He suddenly stopped the horse and looked around.
�What is it?� Whitney asked and looked around as well.
�The rebels were here recently,� he informed her softly.
Whitney quickly looked around the dark wooded area. �How can you tell?�
�The smoke from the laser fire exchange.�
Whitney smelled the air but could only faintly trace the laser blasts. He was very perceptive. He sent the horse onward and turned down a slightly traveled path. They soon came across the first casualty. It was a dead alien. They could hear the faint laser fire being exchanged in the distance. Whitney tightened her arms around Zach's midsection. She was frightened but didn't want to admit it. This was the actual war zone they were reaching. What they did back in her town was only a child's game compared to what was happening here. She was used to a small attack then run and hide.
Only a few feet away, they could see an alien firing at a rebel within the woods. Zach forced Whitney to dismount, pulled his sword, then raced toward the alien guard. The alien heard the horse and spun around prepared to fire. Zach was already before him and swung the heavy sword with one hand, cutting him down.
An alien appeared out of nowhere on a boulder and jumped for Zach, knocking him from his horse. They rolled across the forest floor. Zach suddenly kicked the alien off and backwards into a tree. Zach jumped to his feet, swung the sword in one hand, and thrust in into the alien's chest. Whitney watched in amazement. The rebels continued to fire at the remaining few. Once the battle was over and the last alien had fallen to the ground, the rebels came out to greet Zach. Whitney quickly approached them. She froze when she came face to face with Ryon Maxwell, Gene Noxworth, and Blain Karinus. She stared with surprise.
Ryon's smile brightened as he approached her. �Whitney Prentice! What a pleasant surprise.�
She stared in complete disbelief. �Ryon? What's going on around here?�
�A revolution--couldn�t you tell� he remarked with a slight chuckle. �When I told you your friends told me about you, I meant it. We met your rebel friends before attending that ball. You were right for not acknowledging me.�
Whitney smiled in a devilish manner. �Does Brent know what you do?�
Ryon laughed. �Does he know? He�s been running transmissions and supplies to us for months. Hasn't he ever told you?�
She was stunned by what Ryon had just told her. �Brent is working for the rebellion?�
Ryon continued to laugh. �Is that so hard to believe? We're waiting for a transmission from him. It should be arriving any day now. We're going to attack the mother ship.�
Whitney stared at Ryon for the longest time. She then thought a moment before reaching into her inner pocket and removed the folded papers. "Then I guess I should give this to you.� She handed him the papers.
Ryon accepted the papers and unfolded them. He glanced over it and smiled brightly. �We are in business now. Tell Brent I love him!� He glanced toward Zach. �Zach, old friend, join Whitney and us in a celebration drink!�
�Actually,� Whitney announced gently, �I'm on my own mission.�
Ryon raised his brows. �What mission is that?�
�The aliens have my friend. They want the papers I just gave you. I have to get to the castle. I think they�re holding her there,� Whitney said gently.
�The castle?� Ryon asked.
Whitney nodded being slightly surprised. �You know of it?�
He nodded. �It's not first on our list, but we'll help if we can. It would be an honor to serve with you,� he announced. �You go through with your plan. You�ll have enough time to get in and locate Nadine. If you�re unable to get back out, we�ll be there to aid you.�
Whitney couldn't believe they, the rebellion leaders, actually wanted to take part in her crusade. Whitney smiled brightly with delight. �I appreciate your support.�
Ryon placed a hand on Whitney's shoulder. �I just want to commend you on your successful missions, Whitney. I've heard many wonderful things about you and the job you've done.�
She smiled warmly. "Thank you, Ryon. That means more to me than you'll ever know.�
Ryon glanced to Zach and shook his hand. �I know Whitney's an excellent rebel but keep an eye on her anyhow. She's safe with you by her side. Besides, Brent would have my head if I let anything happen to her.�
�I'll guard her with my life,� Zach remarked simply.
Whitney never felt a greater sense of pride then she did right now knowing Ryon, one of the rebel leaders, respected her as a valuable comrade. She felt as if she could take on the aliens all by herself.
