The Soldiers of Halla

Chapter 38

Boon put the gig down right next to the flume.

A large area was cleared near the arch. People were pushed back to make room. We touched down in the center of a group of thousands… who were all cheering. Seriously. All eyes were on us for as far as I could see. They were applauding for us, though I wasn’t sure why.

I looked to Boon and said, “I guess they liked your flying.”

Boon didn’t know what to make of it either. His cat eyes were wide with wonder.

Uncle Press was the first to reach us. “What’s going on?” I asked.

“Can you feel it?” he exclaimed with a big, broad smile.

“I don’t know what I feel, except a little airsick,” I said as I crawled out of the gig.

“Their spirit. It’s already re-energizing Solara.”

I looked around at the cheering crowd. I saw both exiles from Earth and gars from Eelong. Their excitement and enthusiasm was overwhelming. I couldn’t imagine what was going through their heads. I didn’t even know how they’d ended up here.

I suddenly felt arms around me, squeezing me in a big hug.

“We did it!” Courtney exclaimed.

Yes, Courtney was there too. As we spoke, the rest of the Travelers gathered around us.

“What happened?” I shouted to her. “I don’t get it.”

“The gars and Yanks had voted to join us even before I got back to them!” she shouted above the cheering. “They’d already begun to mobilize when you returned to Solara to create the flume. They completely evacuated Black Water. When they saw the flume you made, every last doubt was erased. Isn’t it amazing? They’re with us, Bobby. They’re with you’.’

I took another look around at the cheering mass of humanity. Their enthusiasm had nothing to do with our trick gig flying. It was a show of support. For us, and for the chance to strike back at Ravinia. It was more than we could have hoped for. No, I take that back. I also hoped that these people would be just as happy when the sun set on that fateful day. On Eelong I had barely missed the evacuation. The entire population must have been moving to the outskirts of the village as I was running into the center. Incredible. I wanted to revel in the moment, and the applause, but we weren’t even close to being done. Our plan was working, but barely.

As the applause died down, I said to Uncle Press, “We dodged a bullet. Saint Dane has made his move. He created a flume. The entire dado army is in Black Water.”

The Travelers exchanged nervous looks.

“Hobey,” Spader gasped. “That was cutting things a might close.”

“Where is the flume?” Uncle Press asked.

“On Eelong it’s on the exact opposite side of Black Water from ours. Here, I don’t know.”

“I do,” came a familiar voice. Mark Dimond stepped up through the crowd. He had an earth-style walkie-talkie pressed to his ear. “It’s directly in front of the Ravinian conclave… just as we thought.”

So far things were working out the way we expected. More or less.

“The clock’s ticking,” Mark cautioned.

There was no time to second-guess and fine-tune. Now that the dados had moved, we had to put our plan into action.

“You ready?” I asked Mark.

“Waiting on your word,” he answered with a clear, strong voice.

Courtney put her arm around him and beamed. “Can you believe how this guy turned out?”

It was an awesome moment. We were back together again. The three of us. We’d been through this entire adventure together in spirit; it was fitting that we were together, for real, at the end.

“We’ve got to go,” Uncle Press said, all business.

“Is Aron here?” I called out.

“Here, Pendragon,” the gar leader replied as he made his way toward us.

Aron and all the gars wore their dark brown clothing. Here on Earth they looked like dwarfs. He joined us, along with the Yank leaders we’d met with earlier.

“I shouldn’t have doubted you, Pendragon,” Aron said. “Forgive me.”

“No, I should be thanking you,” I said. “I wish you could understand the importance of what your people are going to attempt today.”

“We do,” Aron assured me.

Courtney said, “Between the Yanks and the gars, there are roughly forty-five thousand who are able to fight. They’ve been positioned front and center. The young, the sick, and the elderly have been moved to the side streets.”

I looked around at the crowd. The task suddenly seemed overwhelming. Impossible, even. How could we mobilize so many people and get them all moving in the right direction, let alone wage a war? For a second my brain froze at the enormity and, yes, idiocy of what we were about to undertake.

“You look worried, Pendragon,” Aron said. “Do not be. Our fighting force is trained. It does not matter what the battlefield is. We are organized and we are disciplined. There are twenty smaller units, each with its own leader. They in turn have their own subdivisions.” Aron held up a link cube. “We are all in contact. I will remain with you. When an order is given, it will be relayed instantly.”

Gunny asked, “Gars and Yanks? Together?”

Aron said, “We are one. The Yanks have protected our home. Now they have returned to reclaim theirs. The gars will be by their side. There is no other way.”

I couldn’t come up with the words to express to Aron how incredibly brave and selfless his people were. I wanted to tell them that they embodied the spirit of Solara, but he wouldn’t have understood. Or maybe he already did without realizing it.

The gar leader could see that I was overwhelmed. He smiled. “You needed an army to defeat Ravinia? Pendragon, you came to the right place.”

I glanced to Uncle Press. He smiled. He knew. Maybe he always knew.

Mark added, “I assigned five of my guys to each of their groups. They’ll all have somebody with them who has knowledge of the city. And the target.”

“What about the radio cannons?” I asked.

Aron answered, “The evacuation was quick. We weren’t able to bring as many as we’d hoped, but we are armed. Just as you asked.”

Mark added, “We’ve got transportation waiting to bring equipment to the site. But that’s it. I’m afraid the people have to walk.”

I looked to Aron. “You’ll have to move out right away.”

He nodded and said, “We are ready and waiting.”

My mind raced. Had we thought of everything? No, that was impossible. The plan we concocted was incredibly complicated. Anything could go wrong, and if it did, we would fail. But it was the only plan we had. All we could do was move quickly, and hope.

“Maybe you should say something,” I said to Uncle Press. “To these people. Most have no idea what they’re getting into.”

“You’re right,” he replied. “Something should be said. But not by me.”

All eyes were on me. Oops. I suddenly wished I hadn’t come up with such a brilliant idea. Still, I couldn’t argue. This was my show. I had to take responsibility. The job of addressing this army would have to be mine.

“We don’t have loudspeakers, Bobby,” Mark said. “You can’t talk to this many people.”

Aron said, “But you can.” He held out a link radio cube. “Most all of us have a link. Whoever doesn’t, can listen to another’s.”

I wasn’t sure of what to say. Many of these brave people would not live to see another day. They deserved something, if only to hear that whatever the outcome, they had made the right choice. I reached for the cube. My hand was shaking. Aron placed it in my palm. I looked to him and nodded. He activated the link. The amber material glowed.

“Does this work?” I said. “Can you hear me?”

A cheer went up from the crowd. They heard me. It was such a surprise that I nearly dropped the cube.

“Easy there, cowboy,” Courtney said. “You want me to hold it for you?”

I shook my head, gathered my thoughts, and spoke. “You don’t know me. My name is Bobby Pendragon.”

The crowd erupted in cheers again. Maybe some of them did know me. I waited for them to quiet down and continued.

“For many years now, my friends and I have been battling a force I think you are all familiar with. Ravinia.”

The crowd booed. They knew. All too well. I looked up at the group of Travelers who surrounded me. They all gave me nods of encouragement.

“You know of Halla and the worlds that exist around us. What happened on Eelong has happened on each of those other worlds. Look around you. This is the home of the Yanks. It’s not the world they knew. Ravinia has destroyed a once-mighty city. A once-mighty world. We here, today, are the last hope. Not only for this world called Earth. But for Denduron. Zadaa. Quillan. Veelox. Cloral. And for Eelong.”

I kind of expected a cheer after I said Eelong, but the crowed remained silent. Eerily so. There were tens of thousands of people, yet it sounded like the streets were empty. It was a reminder that they all knew exactly what we were up against. This was not a game. It was deadly serious business.

“The future of all those worlds will be determined by our actions here today. A few miles from here is the Conclave of Ravinia. It is the center of Ravinia on this world, and for all of Halla. Our goal is to seize it and make it our own.”

This time the cheers came. I glanced around at the Travelers. They too applauded. It made my confidence grow and my words come easier.

“Our battle today is not about taking back a piece of land. Or hurting those who have chosen to side with Ravinia. Or even revenge. It is about fighting for what is right. Those of you who were sent through the flume in Yankee Stadium were there because you saw the truth. You knew the dangers of Ravinia and dared to speak out against it. For that you were punished. Exiled. It is your spirit that has kept the hope alive. You being here today, along with the gars, proves that there are those who want sanity restored. I have to believe that we cannot lose. Just by fighting back, we will lay the foundation for generations to come. Our battle today, no matter what the outcome, will begin the process of making Halla right again. The way it was. This is the beginning of a new history… the way it was meant to be. Good luck to us all.”

The ovation was instant and thunderous. I was overwhelmed by the show of enthusiasm. Courtney leaned on Mark. I saw tears in her eyes. The Travelers stood together as one. They too were ready. I handed the cube back to Aron, who patted me warmly on the shoulder.

Uncle Press leaned down to whisper in my ear so he could be heard through the cheering. “I told you a long time ago that some people needed your help. This is what I meant. You’ve carried the burden of every last soul in Halla and could not have done a finer job. I’m proud of you, Bobby.”

He put his hand on my shoulder and added, “One other thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Saint Dane thinks he’s won.” “I know,” I said with a smile.

I looked to Mark. He stood up straight and said with total confidence, “Give me the word, Bibs.”

He used my sister’s pet name for me, which he hadn’t done since we were little. It was perfect. It made me think of my family, and my past life. We all had families. We all had better lives. Every last person there. It was time to fight for them. It was time to get dangerous. I took a breath. It was the last moment before the final battle. I wanted it to last, because I knew that once I pulled the trigger, nothing would be the same. Anywhere. Ever again. Time would tell if that was a good thing. I took one last look around at all the Travelers, drawing strength from their looks of confidence.

“Okay,” I announced. “Bring ‘em in.”

Mark instantly lifted his walkie-talkie and barked, “Let’s go.”

The wheels were set in motion. There would be no turning back. I looked at the Travelers and said, “Elli. Aja. Gunny. Patrick. I want you to stay back.”

They all made grumbles of protest, but they knew it was futile. They weren’t prepared for a fight. Their roles were critical just the same.

“Help evacuate this area. We don’t want anybody near this flume once the dados discover the other end on Eelong.”

Mark stepped up to say, “There’s sanctuary all over

Manhattan for those who are staying back. We need all the help we can get to divide them up and get them moving.”

The Travelers nodded in understanding, and acceptance.

“We’ll do everything we can,” Gunny assured me. It wasn’t necessary. I knew they would.

“Do me a favor?” Aja asked.

“What?”

“Think of us when you take him down.” I nodded.

Uncle Press said, “The rest of us will make the journey on foot with the exiles and gars.”

“Boon!” I called. “You up for this?”

“Do you have to ask?” the klee replied.

“Good. Stay with the Travelers,” I commanded.

“Understood,” he answered enthusiastically.

I was glad he was there. We needed all the help we could get.

“What about me?” Courtney asked.

“Courtney and Mark are with me. Kasha, I need you with us too.”

Kasha bristled. I actually saw the fur go up on her back. “What? No. That is not the plan. I am to be with the others.”

“Sorry,” I said. “No arguments.”

Kasha fumed but didn’t fight it. The train was on the tracks, and she knew enough not to get in the way.

I turned to Uncle Press. Beside him stood Siry, Alder, Spader, and Loor. Unlike the other Travelers, this group was prepared to fight.

“This day has been a long time coming,” Alder said.

“You are ready, Pendragon,” Loor said. “We all are.”

“You know something?” I said. “We are ready.”

“Then let’s go!” Siry called out impatiently.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Uncle Press said to me.

I gave them one last look, wondering for a fleeting instant if I’d see any of them ever again. Anywhere. “See you inside the conclave,” I said.

With that, we separated.

I led Kasha, Mark, and Courtney back through the park. As we moved, four black helicopters appeared over the tops of the buildings to the south. They had been lying back, waiting for Mark’s call. Just as planned.

“We need to clear a landing space,” Mark said.

“No, we don’t,” I replied without stopping. “Keep ‘em all in the air.”

Mark scowled. This wasn’t part of the plan. But he didn’t question. He had no idea why I was changing things up… until I led them to the gig that Boon and I had flown in from Eelong.

Mark laughed and raised his walkie to contact the incoming helicopters. “Hold formation. We’ve got another ride.” He then looked to me and added, “Nice.”

Kasha gave me a sly look. “I didn’t think you’d keep me out of the fight,” she said, relieved.

“Zero chance of that,” I answered. “You’re leading the assault.”

She pounced into the pilot seat.

“Take shotgun,” I said to Mark.

He climbed in next to Kasha as Courtney and I hopped in back. The crowd cleared as the rotors began to spin. “You will direct me?” Kasha asked Mark. “Right to the target” was his reply.

As soon as the rotors hit speed, we lifted off the ground and climbed straight up. I looked down to see those who would soon assault the conclave making their way up Fifth Avenue. It reminded me of the start of a world-class marathon. This journey would only last ten miles… the distance to the Conclave of Ravinia. “Look,” I said.

Arriving at the park from all directions were dozens of yellow taxicabs.

“That’s how we’re moving those cannon things and the shooters,” Mark explained. “They’ll arrive on site before the crowd does.”

“Long before, I hope” was my response.

“We’ll get them there,” Mark said with confidence.

“Perfect. You did an incredible job, Mark.”

“Don’t go praising me yet,” he cautioned. “We’re just getting started.”

We hovered in the air over the park. Behind us the four helicopters settled in and hovered at the same altitude-one by one they came into formation. Mark watched to make sure they were all there. I took another look down to see the crowd moving farther up Fifth Avenue. It was an inspiring sight. In front, leading the way, was Uncle Press. Along with Loor, Alder, Spader, and Siry. Aron and Boon, the gar and the klee, were right behind them. This army had a long walk in front of them. That was okay. We had other business to attend to first.

Mark put the walkie-talkie to his lips. “Are we go?” he barked into it.

He got back four replies. “Go one.” “Go two.” “Go three.” “Go four.”

“Follow us, kids,” Mark replied. He clicked off his walkie and motioned for Kasha to kick it.

The gig shot forward, flying straight up Fifth Avenue. I looked down to see that the exiles and gars were waving and cheering us on. We flew over them with our gig in the lead, the point of an arrow, followed by the four black helicopters.

Attack helicopters.

The soldiers of Halla were on the move.

So far everything had gone according to plan, but it all felt so tenuous. Each new step was critical to the success of the following step. Right now, the next step was ours. If we were successful, the attack had a chance. If not, it could turn into a bloodbath before we even got close to the Conclave of Ravinia.

As we flew north, Courtney held my hand. We didn’t speak. What was there to say? Our heads were in the game. There would be time for talk later. I hoped.

We flew through the gray fog and swirling dust that was now a familiar aspect of Third Earth. I hoped that Mark could find his way through the muck. It was hard to see the ground, and the only thing in front of us was nothing. I trusted him, just as I had trusted him so many times before. Kasha dutifully followed his every instruction and made slight course adjustments when asked.

It was about ten miles from the park to the conclave. Not far in a helicopter. There wasn’t much time to kick back and get psyched for the challenges ahead. It seemed as if we had been flying for only a few minutes when Mark said to Kasha, “The bridge is our marker. When we clear the top, drop down fast. Like real fast. The fog will clear. As soon as we spot the target, break left and ascend. We don’t want to be in the way. That would hurt.”

Kasha nodded. She got it.

I hoped that the fog wasn’t covering the top of the bridge structure. It wouldn’t be smart to hit that thing.

“We’re close,” Mark announced.

I felt the tension in his voice. He was focused. He leaned forward, as if those extra few inches would help him to see a little better. Courtney squeezed my hand. Where was that bridge? All we saw was swirling gray.

Mark couldn’t take it anymore. “We’ve gotta be close,” he said to nobody, and toggled his walkie-talkie. “Go hot,” he barked.

The replies came back in seconds.

“One is armed.” “Two is armed.” “Three is armed.”

That was it. Ten seconds passed. I saw a bead of sweat slip down Mark’s temple. His jaw muscle worked furiously. He pulled the walkie back to his lips and was about to speak when…

“Four is armed. Sorry, Mark.”

“You’re killing me here, Tony. You ready?”

“Yes.”

“You sure?”

“Show us the way, boss.” “There!” Kasha announced.

The top of the bridge came into view, barely visible through the swirling fog.

“Got it,” Mark said, obviously relieved. “Little to the right… little more…”

We sailed by the left of the bridge with only a few yards to spare.

Mark lifted his walkie. “Stand by. This is it,” he announced.

He waited another two seconds, then shouted to Kasha, “Down! Now!”

Kasha pushed the stick forward. We dove to the deck. The four choppers were right on our tail. Suddenly the fog cleared, and the massive front wall of the conclave appeared before us.

“Oh, man,” Courtney gasped. It was her first view of the imposing structure.

I was more concerned about seeing something else. It was the next piece in the puzzle. If it wasn’t there, we’d be in trouble.

It was. Exactly where it had to be.

“On the money,” Mark called over the walkie. “Take it out!”

He motioned for Kasha to break off our run. “Go! Get outta here!” She throttled up and broke hard to the left. The choppers behind us didn’t. They stayed on line, headed right for the target.

Saint Dane’s flume.

Kasha pulled up and circled around so we could get a view of the attack. The stolen helicopters were armed with the same type of rocket that we had seen used to blast the zoo building. The first two choppers let them fly. Multiple white streaks shot from their bellies, headed for the mouth of the flume. They hit. Hard. The explosions were deafening. Right on target. The first two choppers broke off, left and right, barely missing the wall of the conclave. The way was clear for the second two choppers to make their attack run. They launched, again hitting the flume dead-on. Debris from the concussions flew high into the air. Smoke was everywhere. It was hard to see exactly what damage they had done. The second set of helicopters broke off. The first two had already come around for a second run. They launched again, pulverizing the ground around the flume.

“Hang on,” Mark ordered into the walkie. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

All four choppers circled away. We watched the ground, waiting for the smoke to clear. The plan we had devised to battle Saint Dane and his dado army was tricky. It relied totally on timing. Our success or failure in destroying this flume could easily mean the difference between victory and defeat. We knew that Saint Dane would send his army to Eelong, so we used that. We wanted him to use his power to build a flume. We wanted the dados to go. All of the dados. We just didn’t want him to be able to bring them back. At least, not quickly.

“They’re going to find the other flume,” Courtney said soberly.

“Eventually,” I said. “Hopefully, too late.”

“Why don’t we destroy the other one too?” Kasha asked.

Mark kept his eyes on the clearing smoke as he answered. “We put everything we had into this attack. There are no more rockets.”

We knew that from the beginning. We only had enough firepower to destroy one flume. Whether we liked it or not, we were going to have to face the army of dados. Our hope was that we would stand a better chance against them from behind the walls of the fortress. That was the thinking, anyway. There was still a very big hurdle to jump over before we got that far. We had to invade and control the fortress.

Right. That.

“I can see it,” Kasha exclaimed.

The smoke cleared, revealing a huge expanse of shattered rocks, dirt, and debris. The flume was sealed. “I’m thinking they know we’re here,” I said. “Yeah,” Mark concurred. “Now it gets scary.”