As they walked into the woodsToemeka asked, “Do you think your family reached the rendezvouspoint?”
“Probably. They’ll be worriedabout us since they haven’t heard from us in days.”
“I wish there was a way tocontact them.”
Erling frowned. “I do, too.Kori will be worried as well. I hated leaving her with all theresponsibilities of the country and military, especially since she’spregnant.”
“Coming here wasn’t easy foreither of us. I miss Baymond terribly. For some insane reason Ithought things would go more smoothly than they did. I believed Iwouldn’t be separated from Baymond for long.”
“We need to get to therendezvous point, but neither Jake nor Michio are up for a strenuoushike. Maybe we can borrow two axterdons. If we ride, we can reach theothers in a couple of days.”
As they filled their water skinsat the stream, Toemeka gazed at the enormous trees surrounding them.“These trees must be over a thousand years old.”
Erling looked up.“Probably—they’re the oldest on the planet.” He rose. “Webetter get back. I don’t want Michio and Jake to awaken and wonderwhere we are. It’s been a stressful enough day already.”
They walked a short distancethrough the woods, then Toemeka said, “I have to pee. I’ll justwalk to the other side of that tree.” She pointed to the closest ofthe large trees.
“I’ll look for more caffraywhile I wait.”
She circled the tree, estimatingthat it must be ten feet in diameter. Being separated from Erlingmade her uneasy and she scanned the woods before squatting down torelieve herself. When she finished, she looked around, still sensingsomething wasn’t right. Around her, birds were chirping and littleground creatures busily gathered food.
Justmy imagination.Kumaroohas made me as jumpy as a new cadet on the first mission.
She took a step and an innernudge caused her to pause and scan the forest again. Toemeka didn’tsee anything unusual, but trusting her instincts, she projected outof her body. Moving upward to a bird’s-eye view of the woods, shespotted four Raptor soldiers among the trees quietly moving forward,converging on her physical body. She instantly reentered her body andstarted running back around the tree to where she’d left Erling.
A light flashed in front of herand she felt a burst of energy as she slammed into an invisiblebarrier. An electric shock jolted through her and she jumped backfrom the barrier. The air around her vibrated with energy and sheheard a soft clicking sound. She spun around, realizing she wassurrounded by a circular wall of electricity.
Four soldiers stepped into view.Their faces were lined with black and green paint and they worecamouflage clothing that made them blend better with the woods.“Don’t move or you’ll get another shock. We’ve gone to greateffort to track you. You won’t escape this time.”
Another soldier pulled out acommunicator. “We’ve secured the woman. Proceed with the attack.”
Toemeka’s heart skipped a beat.Theywere going to raid the camp! Where were the Owayan scouts and guards?Why hadn’t the medicine man’s power kept the camp hidden?
25
The Attack
Toemekasent Erling a telepathic message. Erling,can you hear me?Silence. The bond between them was strong, so she should be able toconnect with him. She centered herself and took several calmingbreaths, releasing her fear. Erling,it’s Toemeka. Can you hear me?
Yes,I’m in the bushes to your right. Don’t look in my direction oryou’ll give away my position.
Canyou slip away and get back to camp to warn Michio and Jake and theOwayan warriors?
IfI move the soldiers will immediately spot me.
The soldier with the communicatorstarted talking and Toemeka switched her attention to him in order tohear what he was saying to the other men.
“Holander, take the woman toCommander Rochambeau. Be sure nothing happens to her. He wants heralive and unharmed. The rest of us are to proceed with the mission.Shoot to kill.” Three of the men headed off into the woods.
Holander looked at Toemeka. “I’mgoing to shut down the force field. If you cause any problems, I’llgive you an electrical shock so strong it’ll make your heart stop.”He hit a button on a hand-held zap controller and the clicking soundstopped. He gestured toward the woods in the direction away from thecamp. “Start walking.”
Toemeka gingerly reached out withher fingers to be sure the force field was gone.
A twig snapped and the soldierspun around and fired his blaster. The shot went wild as Erling leaptat him and they fell against a tree. Grabbing Holander’s arm,Erling twisted it behind him and the blaster and zap controller fellto the ground.
“Get the laser, Toe!” Erlingexclaimed.
She snatched up the blaster andzap controller, then pointed the blaster at Holander.
“Don’t move.”
He blanched, making the paintedlines on his face look more pronounced.
“Erling, move away from him.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Don’tkill me.”
She hit the button on the zapcontroller and a force field immediately sizzled around him.
“That should hold him. Come on,Erling, let’s go.” She started running toward the camp, prayingshe’d arrive in time to save Michio and Jake. Erling ran alongsideher as they wove through the trees. They’d almost reached theteepees when a loud booming explosion shook the ground and knockedthem off their feet. Several more explosions followed.
Toemeka groaned and struggled toher hands and knees. Her ears rang. Nearby, Erling sat up and rubbedhis temples.
“They’re bombing the camp!”she cried, scrambling to her feet and stumbling forward.
“Michio!” she yelled.
Erling grabbed her arm. “Weneed to stay hidden.”
Her ringing ears made his voicesound muffled. He led her to some dense bushes and they crouched downin the foliage. Then they crept forward until they reached the edgeof camp.
Bodies of Owayan warriors laystrewn across the ground. The remaining warriors were being shot downas they tried to escape.
Toemeka looked to where theirteepee had been. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw allthat remained of it was a pile of burning debris. “Michio!” shegasped, her pulse racing.
“Shh,” Erling put a finger tohis lips.
“I should’ve warned Michiotelepathically,” she whispered.
“Maybe they left the teepee,”he said. Her ears were still ringing as she made out his words byreading his lips.
“They were asleep!” Tearsstarted streaming down her cheeks.
“We have to get out of here.”
She shook her head. “I have toknow
