Alzon� nodded and knelt next to the general. �General Cantil, are you alright? Can you stand?�
At last the general found his voice. �Yes, I�ll be fine.� He let Natalee help him to his feet, then put his hand on her shoulder proudly. �Thank you, Captain. That was a commendable act of bravery. And I�ve never seen anyone fight so well. You�ve certainly earned my respect here today.�
�Thank you sir,� Natalee said simply�though inside she was fit to burst�as Tokyn strode up beside them. �General, we have to get you back to the camp, and all of us are in need of medical attention.�
Natalee poked her head out of the still-open door and looked down both ends of the hallway, making sure it was safe before they made their dash back to the resistance camp. When they reached the trees safely, she marveled at the Czulkneks� apparent disregard for security. Hopefully the humans could use that arrogance to their advantage.
Once a safe distance from the Czulknek compound, Natalee thumbed her radio back on. �Alzon� here. Belarephon, General Cantil, and myself are on our way back to the camp. We�ll be there shortly. Do you copy?�
The communications officer sounded relieved. �Copy that.�
Cantil took the radio from her. �This is Cantil. Give me a general status report.�
�The attack is over. I believe we can classify this one as a victory, sir.�
The trio arrived at the resistance camp free of further alien encounters, and reported immediately to the medical wing. �I�m afraid we�ll have to treat you out here in the anteroom,� a low-ranking nurse informed them. �So many were wounded from that attack, we don�t have enough room anywhere else.�
The general nodded. �That�s fine. We aren�t dying yet.� He took a seat another patient vacated for him near the outer door, and nodded his thanks.
Tokyn and Natalee stood in the far corner of the room. He leaned against the wall, tired.
Natalee pressed the bit of cloth against his arm for him. �How�s your arm feeling?�
He laughed lightly. �Feels like I was just stabbed by a giant lizard.�
She smiled. �You�re lucky it only glanced you.�
�I�m lucky I wasn�t killed.� With his free hand he tilted her chin up to look her in the eyes. �I�m lucky you weren�t killed.�
When a nurse came to dress Tokyn�s wound, Natalee smiled. As long as he was with her, there would always be hope.