The Rain: The End, Marietta Standlee [year 7 reading list TXT] 📗

let the militia work behind his back so that he had deniability, until I remember how he warned us that it would be our heads if things went wrong.

But things didn't go wrong; things were never better, well at least not since the Rain came. So, what is really going on here?

"Where are you taking them?" Martin demands.

None of the Marines answer Martin; they march us out of the room and down the hall towards a waiting Humvee. The engine is already running, and we get in without protest or a fight. I take my cues from Colin, counting on him to signal me our next step.

Five of the marines climb into the Humvee with us, the others pile into two more vehicles that follow us to the airport where a spaceship is already waiting—ready for take-off.

The plank is extended, and it only takes a minute before we enter the vessel. Are they really going to take us to Quill? Cold sweat breaks out all over my body, and I wonder how long Colin will put up with this. I realize we're handcuffed and face at least twenty Marines, but come on already, I'm ready for action; we need to do something. The longer we wait, the greater the odds will be stacked against us.

My entire body is coiled in anticipation of a fight. What is Colin waiting for? I give him a questioning look. He too looks tense, and I realize that he too is waiting for the right moment to jump into action, but with twenty men against us and our hands tied behind our backs, there is not much we can do.

Chapter 10

Suddenly, there is movement, and Briggs emerges. "Welcome onboard my ship, ladies and gentlemen."

I have no idea how she got here this quickly; she was with us at the meeting minutes ago. And then I remember hers and Blake's mysterious departure during. At the time, I thought it odd, but now I'm getting an idea why.

Several militia soldiers emerge from behind her, guns drawn and aimed at the marines. I feel immense relief when I recognize Blake, Kat, Derek, and several others among them. We are saved!

"As you can see, you're out-gunned. I'd be very appreciative if you would leave my ship now so that I don't have to give the order to shoot you." Briggs tells the Marines pleasantly.

Bellows is the first to raise his hands. "Are you taking them to the Gorongiaths?"

Briggs nods her head towards Blake, who comes forward and takes our cuffs off. I rub my wrists, they didn't put the cuffs on tight, but it was still uncomfortable.

"Of course not," Briggs enlightens Bellows.

"Then where are you going?" He inquires tersely.

She tilts her head and looks at the Marine. "You weren't going to turn them over to the Gorongiaths, were you?"

Bellows shakes his head in disgust. "Of course not, we're all soldiers, and we know what the Commanders have done for us. Besides, where does it leave us if we arrest any soldier who actually does something against the alien menace?"

"So, are you joining the militia?" Colin asks.

"Yes, Sir." The Captain answers, his eyes never leaving Colin's, and I can see the admiration in his expression. "If you'll have us."

"Alright." Colin looks at the twenty marines, none of them wavering. "Whoever wants to stay and join the militia can stay but be aware that officially you'll be called traitors."

"No worries, Sir. When I received my orders last night, I made sure to pick soldiers loyal to you. We'll all stay if you will take us." Bellows states, fully aware of the consequences his actions will have.

"Is that right?" Colin looks at the men and women one more time; still, none of them waiver; they all seem committed to leave with us.

I raise my eyebrow at Colin, silently asking him how we managed to inspire so much loyalty in the men and women that they are ready to go over the head of their Commander-in-Chief. He grins at me and shrugs his shoulders.

Bellows steps forward and pulls the two guns out he took from Colin and me. "Your weapons, Sir, ma'am."

I incline my head and take my Glock. "You didn't frisk us very thoroughly."

He grins back. "I wasn't sure if we were going to have to fight our way out, so I thought it prudent to keep you both armed."

Colin slaps him on the shoulder. "Good man, Ryker."

"You know him?" I ask surprised.

He winks at me. "We were together in Hawaii. Remember when I told you about my buddies forming the phone group in Portland?"

"You knew they were going to help us?" My eyes narrow at Colin.

He takes a step back and waves his hands in front of him in surrender. "I had my hopes when I saw him enter," he says evasively.

"Colin Thornton," I growl, somewhat irritated. But there is also a part of me that is amused about how he always seems to have an ace up his sleeve.

He grins his disarming smile at me and shrugs his shoulders in a what can you do manner, and I roll my eyes at him.

"We should leave then, if everybody is ready?" Briggs urges.

"Probably," Colin agrees and puts his arm lazily around my shoulder. "Still mad at me?"

I slap him playfully against his chest. "Well, you didn't get us killed, so I guess no."

"Guys?" We turn towards Blake, calling us back. "If everything is good here, I'll go back to dad."

Colin removes his arm from around my shoulder to walk towards his brother, "You sure you want to stay here?"

Blake laughs. "I'm not the Thornton they want."

"They could use you as leverage," Colin warns.

"They can try," Blakes says so arrogantly that it makes me laugh; he and Colin are so much alike.

"Take care of our kids," Colin requests in a heavy voice.

A pang of loss hits my chest. My babies. There is no way we can take them with us to the caves. I know Maggie and Blake will take