Operation Earth

by Maria Hammarblad

  She shook her head.

  “Thanks, but I’ll be fine.”

  Getting to her feet was a superhuman task, but she stood up without help. Then, the world revolved around her, and Jonas caught her. He hauled her up in his arms, and feeling his jacket against her cheek made her weep.

  What if he never comes back?

  *****

  When morning came, Peter rested Erin down on the ground, rose to his feet, and stretched. His right arm was asleep from her using it as a pillow, but the wounds didn’t hurt too badly. It could be worse.

  Alain stood not far away, brushing dust out of his hair. When Peter arrived, the younger man grinned.

  “Aren’t you two just adorable? Good going, Sir.”

  “Shut up.” His mouth twitched and he patted Alain on the shoulder. “Whatever you do, don’t tell my girlfriend.”

  Alain laughed and handed him a bottle of water.

  “Are you doing okay, Sir?”

  “Sure. I feel like someone dropped a house on me, but other than that, I’m great. You?”

  “I’m doing good. I was fortunate to avoid all that house-dropping stuff.”

  I like this guy. He’d make a good second in command.

  The water was warm, but good. Not until now did he realize how dry and swollen his mouth was.

  “Let’s get everyone to their feet. We need to keep moving.”

  A choked scream made him spin around. Two men dragged Erin away. She fought, but was no match for them.

  Dammit, I shouldn’t have left her.

  He was already running, but heard Alain curse. “Putain!” The French curse word came from a distance and he tuned it out, concentrating on closing the distance to the kidnappers.

  Too late.

  He was too slow.

  The sound of running footsteps disappeared down an alley, and he could no longer see or hear the kidnappers. When he paused to listen, Alain stopped next to him. Had the other man been there all along?

  “Take the group to the guard post.”

  “But, Sir.”

  “I will go look for her. I’ll meet you there.”

  “She’s probably already dead, Sir.”

  The words made sense, but he had to know for sure.

  “I know.”

  This was taking too long. He patted Alain’s shoulder.

  “I’m relying on you to bring everyone to safety. I will see you there.”

  The younger man straightened up and saluted, and when Peter jogged off, he heard Alain bark orders. Good.

  How could he have let this happen? Had fatigue made him complacent?

  No time to brood.

  He ran, and hoped he headed in the right direction. The kidnappers might have veered off into a building and gone out the back somewhere. In that case, he’d never find them without backup and electronic support, and by then it would be too late.

  Going after her might be another mistake. Odds were their camp had been watched all night, and the rebels would try to single them out and kill them one by one.

  No, the others would be okay. Alain was rested, uninjured, and competent. At the moment, Alain was probably better suited to make decisions anyway.

  Erin was a woman. He had to go after her. It was encoded in his DNA.

  A yelp ahead spurred him on. When he really tried, he could run faster.

  Going around a corner, he saw one of the kidnappers bend over in pain as Erin kicked his groin.

  Good girl.

  Another couple of steps and his hands closed around the other man’s neck, snapping it without even thinking. Erin flung herself into his arms, and he held the shaking Earth woman on one side, trailing his rifle on the still whimpering assailant on the ground with the other.

  This was too easy. Had his luck changed at last?

  Erin buried her face against him and sobbed.

  They couldn’t linger. These men had backup, and the entire rebel group could be upon them at any moment.

  “Do I have your permission to kill him?”

  “What?”

  It was hard to understand the muffled word, but her tone of voice made the message clear.

  “We need to leave. Do I have your permission to kill him?”

  “What? No, of course not.”

  Too bad. He released her and pulled the assailant to his feet.

  “Guess it’s your lucky day. The lady says you’ll live.”

  The human didn’t march all that well at first and Peter felt a flicker of sympathy for him. Erin clearly kicked hard. He poked the man’s back with the muzzle of the rifle, and the encouragement helped them pick up speed. With any luck, they might catch up with the others.

  Erin clung to him again, and he half-carried her along.

  “We have to hurry. There will be more of them.”

  “I didn’t think you’d come for me.”

  “Of course I would. I did.”

  The words it’s my duty rested on his tongue, but were probably better left unsaid. She trusted him, and he didn’t need her to question his motives.

  “Where are the others? Are we the only ones left?”

  “They’re fine, I’m sure.”

  She stopped and he wanted to urge her on, but before he knew what happened she pressed her lips against his. The soft mouth seeking his and the female body pressing against him almost made him forget to watch the prisoner.

  Bad conscience struck like lightning and he pulled back, but her face was still too close, and her lips so near he could almost taste them.

  “Thank you. For saving me, I mean.”

  Peter sighed and met her gaze.

  “You’re welcome. But I can’t do this.”

  “Your Earth friend?”

  “Yes.”

  “If ever... You know...”

  His smile felt more like a grimace.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Come, we need to go.”

  *****

  Rachael opened her eyes and watched the living room ceiling.

  It was white, like it had always been, but popped in and out of existence a couple of times.

  Maybe it wasn’t the ceiling. Maybe it was her eyes, or her mind was about to snap. Maybe it had already. Maybe all this alien invasion stuff was just in her imagination.

  Why would she sleep on the sofa anyway? And why did her neck itch?

  An unfamiliar male voice drifted into the room. Who was that? Martin? Someone else from the resistance? What did they do to her?

  She should flee, but her arms and legs were so heavy.

  In the distance, Bonbon hissed. A moment later, the cat rushed through the room and bounced up on Rachael’s chest, arching her back and baring her teeth, clearly ready to strike.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “Brave little thing. She’s defending you.”

  The owner of the voice came into sight and Rachael was flooded with relief when she recognized Jonas.

  Bonbon hissed again. The cat’s acceptance of Peter clearly didn’t extend to other members of his species. Not yet anyway.

  Or was there a real threat?

  What was this man doing in her home?

  He seemed much too tall, and his violet eyes were too eerie. She struggled to sit up, but her body was still reluctant to move.

  “Take it easy. I had to sedate you.”

  “Why?”

  Her voice sounded panicked, and she couldn’t suppress the turmoil of emotions. What had he done to her when she was out? Her clothes seemed to be in order, but one could never be too sure.

  Could she get to her gun?

  Jonas crouched next to the sofa and lifted her eyelid with a thumb, examining the eye. She wanted to pull away, but couldn’t. Being immobile intensified her fear, but she didn’t have time to say anything. He removed his hand and went over to the recliner where Peter’s weapons should be.

  Peter. Something was wrong with Peter.

  “It’s wearing off. You were... hysterical. Remember?”<
br />
  “No...”

  He sounded like he spoke to a child.

  “You came to the store, and I told you the Ground Commander is missing. He is probably just fine, but I don’t think you heard that part. You collapsed, I brought you home, and I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

  It made sense, sort of. Now when he said it, she could remember panic and heartbreak, but the pain was dull. Probably lessened by whatever alien concoction he’d injected in her. It would return in full force, no doubt.

  “Why?”

  The question didn’t seem clear even in her own mind, but Jonas understood.

  “Trust me, I’m not particularly interested in you or this planet, but if the Ground Commander returns and I didn’t take care of you, he’d have my skin.”

  His honesty was refreshing. She might not be worth water to this man, but now she remembered why she trusted him.

  “I need to return to the ship. Can I leave you alone?”

  She certainly didn’t want an alien nanny, but maybe she needed one. Peter was gone, missing, and he might be dead. She approached the thought with caution, and it hit hard even through the haze in her mind. Still, she couldn’t ask this stranger to stay with her forever.

  If she had to meet the world alone, now would be as good a time to start as ever.

  *****

  The group moved slower than Peter and Erin, even with their prisoner, and they caught up with the others within half an hour. Alain lifted an eyebrow.

  “Welcome back, Sir.”

  “Thank you. It’s good to see you.”

  Peter expected more rebels to pounce on them, but nothing happened.

  Jean nodded up the road.

  “We’re almost there.”

  It was true. The silhouette of a guard post appeared sooner than he dared hope for, and they were greeted by encouraging voices and medics.

  People ran toward them, and he could no longer make out which voice belonged to whom.

  “We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

  Comforting words. He thought they were abandoned.

  Peter wanted to sit down, maybe faint and have someone care for him for a change, but it wasn’t an option. The commotion made Erin shrink against his side. He held her at arm’s length and looked into her eyes.

  “You have been so brave. Jean here will follow you to the medicenter where they’ll patch you up. A transport will take you home.”

  She shook her head.

  “No... Don’t leave me.”

  A soldier interrupted, “Ground Commander, we have the Fleet Commander on radio for you.”

  “I have to work.”

  Jean held out a hand to her.

  “Come, Mademoiselle.”

  She shook her head, but took his hand anyway and let him lead her away.

  “You sure make an impression on the ladies, Sir,” Alain chuckled.

  “Not really. She’s just been through a lot. I make her feel safe.”

  And the kiss?

  He forced his feet to carry him to the radio. June’s voice rang crystal clear.

  Having functional communications lifted a weight from his heart. He didn’t mind being responsible for other people, but being cut off from backup still unnerved him.

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  Strange, how being yelled at can be a relief.

  “I went out and about for an ice cream cone. The humans here are quite frisky.”

  His sarcasm was lost on June.

  “Well, stop playing with them and get down to business.”

  Alain chuckled, and Peter rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. For a moment, he could imagine they were back in the old days when banter covered something else, something warmer... At times, the feeling still lingered.

  Not that I want to go back to the way things were, but some memories are pleasant. I really have problems with women, don’t I?

  “Yes, Ma’am, I will as soon as they stop trying to kill me. Most of the group is dead, both us and the humans.”

  She fell silent and he imagined her pinching her nose and sighing.

  “Sending you there was a mistake, wasn’t it? You’re needed on your home front anyway.”

  “Why? What happened?”

  This can’t be good.

  “Appears your little civilian found a missile silo. Someone intended to sabotage us.”

  “Rachael? How? Is she alright?”

  The words spilled out too quickly, clearly revealing his worry.

  “I’m sure she’s fine. Just deal with it, will you?”

  She sounded uninterested, but added in a somewhat more lively voice, “And Commander, I’m glad you’re okay.”

  There might be a time for rest, but this clearly wasn’t it.

  Chapter Ten

  Rachael paced her house like a restless spirit, but nothing happened.

  She had to keep herself together, or Jonas might sense her distress and show up with more horrifying syringes. She’d rather be heartbroken and aware than drugged and at his mercy.

  When someone finally knocked on the door, she was so tense she jumped. It wasn’t Peter. He had a key, and his knocks sounded different.

  Run and hide.

  The instinct was strong, but it was a coward’s advice. She should at least look through the peephole. It might be someone bearing news, good or bad.

  Outside stood three alien men in uniform.

  She didn’t recognize any of them.

  He told me not to open the door, but they probably know I’m in here. Oh my God, what if they’re here to tell me he’s dead? He seems invincible, but a bullet can probably kill him just fine. Maybe I’ve had premonitions, and they had lost contact with him. Lost contact, anything could have happened.

  She had to open, had to know.

  She kept the security chain on and peeked out.

  “Yes?”

  “Would you please open up, Ma’am?”

  Her eyes darted to the man’s collar. She didn’t have their ranks sorted out, but this one wasn’t an officer. That shouldn’t matter, but she didn’t like the look in his eyes. He seemed... hungry.

  “Why? What do you want?”

  “We want to talk to you. You’ll be safe with us.”

  It was hard to see the men behind him through the slit in the door, but one of them sounded like he stifled a giggle.

  Giggling soldiers saying she’d be safe with them could not be a good thing.

  “I don’t think so. Come back later. Come back tomorrow.”

  Come back when Peter is here.

  “This is really rather urgent. We can’t wait that long.”

  He sounded impatient and fingered his weapon.

  Dammit. They’re three and armed to the teeth. If I don’t open they’ll break the door down. I don’t want them in my house. Can I run for it? Probably not.

  Meeting outside would be better. No matter what they were up to, outside might bring other people, maybe other troops.

  Troops that didn’t giggle.

  “Alright. I’m coming out.”

  She pulled the door towards her enough to undo the security chain. Every instinct screamed run.

  The men stood very close to the door, clearly waiting to make their way inside. Not happening. They had to step away for her to open, and she hurried to slip out, pushing the door shut behind her.

  “Well, what do you want?”

  They were so tall. It was sexy in Peter, but horrifying in these men.

  “This matter is really best discussed in private, Ma’am.”

  “Yeah, well, I haven’t cleaned, so I don’t want you guys inside.”

  It was a poor excuse even in her own ears, and they laughed.

  “You really are a little thing.”

  Peter says that too, but doesn’t make it sound as if he’s about to eat me.

  “Not by my world’s standards. You guys are huge.”

  The third man took a step away from the othe
rs.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “This is a great idea.”

  One of them grabbed her, quicker than she could react, and tugged her arms behind her back. All efforts to pull loose were futile. She might just as well be stuck in a vise.

  She stopped struggling and relaxed, hoping to make him relax too, and shoved herself backwards. He budged, but only for a split second, and not enough for her to get free.

  Shit. Peter was right, I shouldn’t have opened the door, but how do you not open with a group of armed soldiers outside?

  The giggler reached out to pull a finger over her neck, and the touch made her shudder. Then, he grabbed her shirt and ripped it open like she might tear a tissue. She kicked him, but it was futile and only made him laugh.

  “We should probably let her go.”

  “Yes, yes you should.”

  I like that guy.

  The one holding her grunted, “Shut up.”

  “Please don’t do this. It’s a really bad idea.”

  The man in front of her still held a piece of her shirt. His eyes flashed, and for a moment she thought he would hit her.

  “What, you can spread your legs for an officer but not for us?”

  The impact of one of those fists on her face would render her unconscious, and she would be completely helpless. Maybe it would kill her.

  Melissa and Ryan surely watched from behind their curtains, but there would be no help from them. They probably laughed and rubbed their hands. Well, at least Ryan. Melissa would be too scared to do anything but weep in silence, figuring she was next.

  Maybe Ryan and his rebel buddies set it up as a form of punishment?

  She didn’t want to cry, didn’t want to show herself so weak, but tears still welled up in her eyes.

  “Let me go!”

  A strong hand grabbed the waistband of her jeans. She was so weak in comparison that her efforts to struggle were a joke. She shoved her knee in his groin, and he grumbled, “Ow” but didn’t flinch.

  I don’t think I’ll survive being raped by these guys.

  Should she scream? Would it make a difference?

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  The thundering voice made her weep with relief. Her attackers straightened up, respectful of authority, but the grip holding her didn’t budge.