scrambling up the Zord’s harness to attach the quivers. The quivers were not covered with Zeckas but for this campaign, it wasn’t necessary. Bleath was there at Jingo’s request, and he waited as he listened to the thoughts of the riders. He noticed Vring and Zreeg were together talking about their responsibilities and he knew they would do all they could to keep White and Red Hair out of danger. He sighed and knew that was going to be difficult, if not impossible, knowing the courage of White Hair. He knew they would do what they could.
Scotty, Jingo, and Julie came out of Jing’s home followed by Jing and Samuel. Jingo looked over and said, “Where are Timmy and Tesa?”
Vring looked out into the forest and said, “They’ll arrive in an hour.”
“I need them at the ship three nights from now. Bleath, can you make that happen?”
Bleath looked down and said, “Six flyers have been sent north to wait for them halfway to the northern lands. They’ll arrive on time.”
Scotty looked up, “Bleath, we have struggled with how to save the prisoners. There are five thousand or so of them. Do you have enough flyers to transport them?”
“We have double that number if needed.”
Scotty nodded and Jingo said, “I want all the Zord to take the plan from my mind and transfer it to their riders. Bleath, you need to listen so you see where we need you.”
After five minutes the warriors of all three species agreed that the plan was a good one. Jingo looked around, “Does anyone have a question?”
Michael Blake said, “I want a backup in the event I miss.”
Jingo looked at Michael and smiled, “You won’t miss, Michael.”
Michael stared at Jingo and smiled, “No, I guess I won’t.”
Scotty knelt, and all the communities gathered to watch them go knelt with him, “Great Creator, watch over our brave Flyers and Archers and bring success to our righteous cause. We give honor and respect to the Zeckas fighting with us. We thank you for allowing us to fight for you.”
Scotty stood and said, “Have Jeek and Nathan left?”
“More than six hours ago.”
“Did they get what they needed from the learning center?”
“They had it downloaded last night.”
“Thank you, Samuel.” Scotty looked around and said, “Riders, you know the plan. It’s time to put it in motion.” Scotty grabbed the harness and scrambled up to Vring’s shoulders. He looked over and saw Zreeg lift Julie to his back. He thought, “Zreeg, stay close.”
“I will, White Hair.” Vring lifted followed by the other riders.
“Bleath, are the meals ready for our flyers?”
“It has been delivered at the halfway point and is being protected by the six flyers waiting there.”
Scotty looked over at Jingo flying to his left side and Jingo smiled, leaned back, and went to sleep. Scotty shook his head. I wish I could do that! He looked over at Julie and saw she had also turned around and fallen asleep. All three had been working nonstop getting ready, and he felt his fatigue. He thought about it and leaned back. Maybe I can. He thought about the stars and found sleep in fifteen minutes. The flyers moved through the sky heading north.
Three days later, Jeek and Nathan flew in at mid-morning. The two knew the ship’s scanners were not turned on and they flew in at high altitude to avoid being seen. They circled the fields first and saw the ship’s guard sitting outside leaning back against the hull. The open door sheltered him from the sun and he was fanning himself with a handheld fan. Jeek nodded at Nathan, and they descended to the clearing behind the forest. Jeek led the way with Nathan right behind. The ship was four hundred yards ahead and as they approached, Jeek went left and Nathan right. Nathan went to the forest’s edge and notched an arrow. He was responsible for protecting Jeek if he was discovered. He kept the bowgun to his cheek and saw him come around the side of the ship. Nathan knew the only way he could see Jeek was through his mask. The holes were small, but where the color shifting leaped across the holes allowed him to see other Zeckas. Jeek was getting close to the open door when Nathan heard the guard say, “Leaving so soon?”
Nathan saw Jeek freeze and back up against the ship’s hull.
“Those ancient engineers were good. I broke every bit I have. I’m going to have to go make some new ones.”
“Sorry about that. Are you coming back today?”
“I won’t have them ready until morning. Probably won’t finish until mid-afternoon tomorrow.” The engineer stretched his arms out and Jeek had to lean back to avoid being touched. “I don’t know how you stand it in there during the day. It’s hotter than six fires. It’s cooler in the fields.”
The guard looked out at the workers, “Yeah, they get the wind. Without the climate handler, the metal just absorbs the heat.” The guard looked at the engineer’s toolbox and said, “Are you going to lug that thing back to the workshop?”
The engineer sighed, “I suppose so. I have one more bolt to remove and it shouldn’t take long once I start.”
“Are you going to use those tools before you come back?”
“No, I guess not.”
“Then just leave them inside.”
The engineer thought about it and said, “That’s a good idea.” He picked up the heavy toolbox, shoved it inside the open door, and pushed it to the right. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“No, I’m off tomorrow. Hagf will be here. I’ll tell him you left your tools.”
“Thanks. Enjoy your time off.”
“Oh, I will.”
The engineer walked out into the fields toward the hills on the other side without looking back.
Jeek watched the guard closely. He stood up and walked three steps out into the field and looked up at the sky. Jeek went quickly forward, sat down on the edge of the door, then silently rolled backward into the ship. The guard walked away from Nathan and looked at the sky from the other end of the ship. Nathan noticed he had erased Jeek’s foot prints in the loose sand. Thank the Creator the guard dragged his feet. The guard returned to his chair and fought falling asleep.
Nathan lowered his bowgun and returned to the clearing behind the forest and waited. His little brother was due soon. He was not going to allow anything to harm him. Nathan Valrico was determined that Timmy would arrive on board that ship safely.
Timmy and Tesa arrived six hours after the Riders reached the halfway point in their journey north. Scotty greeted them and asked, “Do you have what you need?”
“I’d feel better if we had a heavier hammer. These will have to do.”
“Hurry up and eat and get on your way. We can’t start our operation until you are ready to move the ship, so don’t waste time.”
“We won’t. We’ll just grab a few pods and eat on the way.”
“Good enough. We’ll be right behind you.”
It was getting dark and the guard at the ship was getting impatient. Hagf had better not be late again. He looked across the rapidly darkening field and saw a large shape moving his way. He raised the rifle, then saw it was Hagf, “What took you so long?”
“One of my son’s smart mouthed me.”
“Where did you bury him?
“I didn’t. I threw his remains into the trees.”
“The engineer left his toolbox just inside the door, don’t trip over it.”
“He didn’t finish?”
“No, broke all his bits trying to get through the bolts.”
“Figures. They built them tough.”
“Didn’t they?”
“See you day after tomorrow.”
Hagf waved his hand, entered the ship, hit the green button, and pushed the lever on the wall upward. He sniffed and thought he smelled something when the sword took off his head. Jeek stopped the door eighteen inches
