AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The engines wound down after we landed, and Roni and Sid joined the personnel from the base as they jumped out.When Molev would have exited, I held him back with a light touch on the arm.
Patrick jumped out and started forward.Only after he was halfway to the men waiting and the rest of our team was on the ground in a protective line did I motion that we were next.
Weapons weren’t drawn on us, but they were out and ready as we emerged.
None of us moved as Patrick spoke to the general.
The engine quieted, but we weren’t left in silence.An engine of some kind was running, drowning out the conversation the two were having.
“Can you hear what they’re saying?”I asked softly.
“Patrick is telling him that I’m immune and have the strength and speed to kill the hellhounds.He says I’ve gained the trust of some of the team but not all.That I’ve saved lives but lost some, too, with my refusal to cooperate.He’s suggesting I’m approached with diplomacy because it seems to have been an approach that worked well for you.”
He glanced at me, and I thought I saw a slight twitch of his lips.
“I hope they listen,” I said.“And for the record, I don’t think your actions are the reason lives were lost.”
He grunted, and I could see Steve give a slight nod too.
“He’s also saying I have excellent hearing and am probably listening,” Molev added.“That I am a flight risk but I would be difficult to detain without injury.The medic who assessed me couldn’t be certain my physiology is compatible with human medicines.”
Molev crossed his arms at that point and stared at the general who called out for a team.“Please escort our guest to his room.”
Without asking them, Sid, Steve, Roland, Brandon, Roni, and Katie surrounded Molev as the team approached.
“This way, sir,” the leader said, indicating a jeep in the distance.
Molev understood what we were doing and allowed us to escort him to the vehicle.However, the leader and two of the patrol got in, leaving only one space.
Molev’s lips twitched again.He picked me up and placed me in the open seat then glanced at the rest, ending with Roni.
“How is your stamina?”he asked.
She choked on a laugh.“You’re speaking my language.I’ve been dying to find out if I can keep up with you.”
“An escort isn’t necessary,” the leader said to us.“We can take him from here.”
“With respect,” Sid said, “We’ve come too far and lost too many to take chances at this point.Lead the way, and we’ll do our best to keep up.”
Rather than argue, they started the engine and turned the vehicle toward the loop road that surrounded the base.They sped away, and I watched Molev and the rest rapidly fall back.
I smothered my grin, glad Molev saw it for the test it was.When their stunt to see how fast he could go failed, they slowed down and waited for the group to catch up.
After that, they turned left onto the loop and kept a moderate speed.
Sweat gathered on Steve’s face, which Roni noticed.She smirked at him and pulled ahead a little.He swore and sped up.Molev let them pass him, and I saw him smile.It was small and brief but there.
Then Brandon and Roland got in on it.The jeep sped up to stay ahead of them.
Sid looked at Katie, and she shook her head.
We’d all had to pass a physical for our spots on the squad.Katie could run.It was a requirement that had saved her life several times.Her ability to quickly climb a ladder and her love of heights made her a perfect lookout.But we hadn’t exactly been doing PT in the field, and after a few more minutes, I could see she was starting to lag.
Before I could catch Molev’s eye, he pivoted, running backward to face her.
She rolled her eyes at him, and Sid laughed.Then she nodded.
In a blink, she was up in his arms, and he and Sid ran faster to catch up with the others.
