Europa Awakenings Read online

As usual, Terrance awoke early the following morning. He listened to hear if the men were up and was relieved to hear them talking in the next room. That meant the security grid would be off and he could go up to the cottage as soon as he dressed. Every minute he was able to spend with Europa was precious because he knew Jeanip would soon move her to a more secured location. He was still pondering the idea of asking Jeanip if it would be possible for him to go along, but he was pretty sure Jeanip would not allow it. The very concept of a secured site was no one knew of its location. And he was sure the sheriff would not appreciate having another Landers disappear on him.

  Terrance showered and dressed. He needed to show Europa the other articles he had taken from his father’s room, especially the weapon, and hoped they’d find time to examine them. He also hoped Europa would be able to decipher the markings on it, just as she had the symbols in her mother’s diary. Walking over to his backpack, he felt inside for the weapon. It was still securely hidden in the bottom of the pack. With the girls coming to visit today it would be difficult to find time to talk to Europa alone, but he’d figure something out.

  Terrance walked into the other room to double-check with Sunam that it was okay to go outside. He did not want to set off any alarms by going to the house too early. Sunam assured him it was safe. Terrance noticed Sunam hesitated for a moment, perceiving he had more to say.

  “Did you need something, Sunam?”

  “I hate to ask this of you, Mr. Landers, but might I impose on you to accompany me this morning to pick up Miss Europa’s friends?” Terrance could see Sunam definitely was uncomfortable about the idea of being the only person in a car with three young, chattering women. “As I am sure you have noticed, I am not the most loquacious person and the three young ladies will have all kinds of questions to ask during the drive back to Minnos. I thought perhaps you could ride along and help with their questions.”

  Terrance smiled, not only because he felt sorry for Sunam, but because Sunam trusted him enough to ask for his help. Plus, he owed Sunam a favor for not saying anything about his confrontation with the Sheriff the day he picked him up from the inn. “I would be delighted to tag along. Just let me check with Europa to be sure she has no objections. And I assume I also need to get Jeanip’s approval?”

  “No, it is not necessary to ask Jeanip. Jeanip’s approval is implied with my asking you. However, regarding Miss Europa, you will definitely need to ask her for HER approval. Not even Jeanip can speak for her.” Sunam smiled, amused his monarch was already training her suitor on what was expected of him. “I see you’re learning the idiosyncrasies of dealing with a young female monarch. They can be quite exasperating at times.”

  “So I’m learning! What time are you leaving?”

  Sunam looked down at his watch. “The girls were told to expect me outside the inn at nine-thirty. It is now eight-fifty. I will need to leave by nine o’clock.”

  “I’ll meet you out front in eight minutes,” Terrance said, grabbing his backpack and heading toward the cottage. Running all the way, he was delighted to see Europa already sitting at the table with a cup of coffee waiting for him. She gave him a big smile as he walked over to her and gave her a kiss. “Good morning,” he said.

  “Good morning, Terrance,” Europa replied, visibly pleased to see him. “Is it not a lovely morning? Would you like some coffee? We are going to wait for my friends to have breakfast. I hope that is okay.”

  “Yes, that would be fine,” Terrance answered. “And yes, it is a beautiful morning and no, I’ll pass on the coffee at the moment. Sunam asked me to ride along with him to pick up your friends. Would you object if I accompany him? I think he’s afraid to be the only male in the car.”

  Europa laughed, for she knew Terrance was absolutely right. Sunam was often shy and awkward the few times he had been around her friends. “I think that is an excellent idea. Poor Sunam would probably have a nervous breakdown before he got back if he had to go by himself. I think he would prefer desertion over that.”

  “Desertion?” asked Terrance, wondering why Europa used that particular word.

  “It seems like I have known you forever, so I forget you do not know a lot of our backgrounds. Sunam was a soldier under Jeanip. In fact, he was his Second in Command.”

  “That’s why they’re both so disciplined. They’re former soldiers.”

  “Actually, Terrance, they are not former soldiers. They ARE soldiers.” Europa could see the perplexed look on Terrance’s face, warranting further explanation. “They are members of a small, elite group of soldiers my father created to protect my mother and me. Even though they appear to be civilians, they still adhere to a strict military code and discipline. Their one assignment is my security and happiness.”

  “I don’t know why that even surprises me,” Terrance laughed. He looked at his watch, gave her a small kiss goodbye and ran out the door. It was eight-fifty-seven. “Be back soon,” he yelled back, as he raced to the car where Sunam waited.

  _____________

  Sunam and Terrance pulled in front of the inn at nine-twenty-six to see Anna and Suzie sitting on the porch swing outside the inn. When they saw Terrance step out of the car, they immediately ran up to him, each giving him a big hug while thanking him for getting them access to Minnos.

  “Is Rannie coming?” Terrance asked, looking around for the missing friend.

  “We haven’t heard from her,” Anna replied. “She had mentioned something last week about her family going on vacation, so she may be out of town.”

  “It’s just the two of us,” Suzie replied.

  Terrance opened the door for Anna while Sunam did the same on the driver’s side for Suzie. “Good morning, Sunam. Thanks for picking us up this morning,” Suzie said, sliding onto the back car seat.

  “Good morning, Miss Suzie, Miss Anna,” Sunam replied, as he nodded to both women. “It was no trouble to come and get you. Miss Europa is very excited about your visit.”

  Terrance closed Anna’s door and turned to take a seat in the front when he noticed Mr. Dark Feather’s niece, the librarian, walking toward him, calling his name. Leaving his door open to ensure Sunam did not leave without him, he walked to meet the librarian.

  “Oh, Mr. Landers, I’m so glad I caught you,” she began. “My uncle asked me to give this to you. He said it might help you on your journey to knowledge.” The librarian opened her hand to reveal a small leather pouch tied with a purple cord. Terrance opened the pouch to find a smooth, oval, purple rock. On one side were markings similar to those on the strange weapon and on the other side was an etching of the woman resembling Europa’s mother.

  “This looks very old,” Terrance said.

  “It is,” the librarian confirmed. “I believe over three hundred years. My uncle said to tell you this stone was given to our people by the strangers who settled on the bluff. Mr. Landers, this is a great honor my uncle has bestowed upon you. This is a cherished relic of our people. I’ve never know him to give something this important, this valuable to anyone, especially a stranger. I asked him why he was doing this and he said your future demanded you have the stone.”

  “Do you know what he meant by that?

  “No, I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” Terrance stammered. “Please thank your uncle for me. Tell him I will take good care of this. Now, if you will excuse me, Sunam wants to return to the estate.”

  “One more moment, please, Mr. Landers,” the librarian stated, reaching out to hold Terrance’s arm so he didn’t leave. “My uncle also gave me a message for Jeanip. He stated you needed to tell Jeanip immediately upon your return to Minnos that a large herd of deer have been seen coming down from the mountains following the canyon trail to the ocean. There have also been numerous signs of bear and cougar. Hunting will be possible in two days. If he wishes to join the hunt he must come to the hunting lodge no later t
han noon tomorrow. He cannot ensure success past noon. ”

  Terrance gave a perplexed look. “I didn’t realize Jeanip was a hunter.”

  “Often one does not know what another is capable of,” the librarian said. “This hunt is special because the trail they are following takes them right behind Minnos.”

  “I will tell him immediately. Thank you.”

  “Good luck, Mr. Landers.” The librarian turned and walked away. Terrance thought her last words were very usual. Why did he need luck? Sunam tooted the horn, bringing him back to reality. Hurrying back to the car, he slid in to see an overwhelmed Sunam trying to answer the barrage of questions Anna and Suzie were directing at him. This was going to be a long ride.

  Terrance wanted to ponder over what the librarian had said, but Anna and Suzie were nonstop chatterboxes. They kept asking him all kinds of questions, then speculating amongst themselves, then more questions. Terrance thought he should leave the answers to Europa so most of their questions were answered with “You’ll have to ask Europa.” His one wish was they’d understand he had no information to give them and they would stop asking questions, thus allowing him time to think. He looked over at Sunam to see how he was doing. Sunam had his eyes on the road and drove, allowing Terrance to do all the talking for the two of them.

  ____________

  Europa paced across the living room, too excited to have a seat as she waited for her friends to arrive. Finally, she saw the car pull up out front and two of her friends jump from the car. Leaving Sunam and Terrance behind, they ran up the steps and through the front door. As they saw Europa and she saw them, each ran to the other and almost fell over as they collided. Anna and Suzie both began to talk at once as they hugged Europa, saying how sorry they were about her mother, how they had wanted to come before this but were unable to, asked how she was doing and stated how well she looked. After several minutes of hugging, Europa noticed Terrance too had walked inside. She let go of Anna and Suzie and walked over to Terrance, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for going to get them.”

  “Any time,” Terrance replied.

  Leaving Terrance’s side, Europa returned to her friends and took one of their hands in each of hers. “Come into the kitchen. Misso has made breakfast for us all.” As they walked toward the kitchen Europa turned to make sure Terrance was following them. She gave him a big smile, then returned her attention to her friends.

  Terrance searched the kitchen for Jeanip as soon as he entered, but he was nowhere to be seen. “Misso, do you know where Jeanip is?”

  “Jeanip had breakfast several hours ago and went out with the men to do some work on the back property,” Misso said, as she began to carry platters of food to the table.

  Remembering the librarian’s statement that Jeanip needed Mr. Dark Feather’s message immediately upon his arrival, he asked, “Misso, is there any way to get in touch with Jeanip while he’s out there?”

  “Normally yes, but not in the section they are working at today,” Misso stated, carrying more food to the hungry guests. “If you would like, I can try to catch Sunam before he rides out to join him. He can take a message to Jeanip for you.”

  “No, that’s okay. It can wait until Jeanip returns. Besides, you are much too busy taking care of Europa’s guest. But would you please let me know as soon as he returns? It’s very important I see him.”

  “Yes, I will let you know,” Misso stated, turning her attention back to kitchen matters.

  Europa gave him a perplexed look. “What’s that about? Why do you need to see Jeanip?”

  Terrance looked at her, “I ran into Mr. Dark Feather’s niece outside the inn this morning when we went to pick up the girls. She had a message from her uncle for Jeanip. Something about a hunting trip and a herd of deer that will be passing Minnos in two days.” When Triton heard what Terrance said, he left Europa’s side and went and laid at the back door, staring into the wooded area behind the big barn. Terrance looked at Triton, then back at Europa. “That’s weird.”

  “I have never seen him do that before,” Europa said. “He occasionally leaves my side, but he never lies in front of the door staring. It is almost as if he expects some sort of trouble.”

  “Or he simply likes the idea of a good hunt,” Misso said, placing a bowl of dog food beside the canine. She now wished she had gone out to stop Sunam, as she had suggested. Fear now starting to grip her heart, she quickly glanced at Triton, silently sending him a message, “Yes, I heard what Terrance said too. This can mean only one thing - there is an army of Terrians headed for us. If Jeanip is not back in an hour, I will ride out and find him and the males.”

  “I do not think we can wait that long, Misso,” Triton answered her back. “And I do not feel it is safe for you to ride out alone, plus that will take too much time. We need him here NOW. Go into Jeanip’s room and send out a silent alarm through the security grid. Jeanip will be able to hear it and he will return immediately.”

  “Your Majesty, the front gate is wide open and Jeanip turned off the front fences right before Europa’s friends arrived. The front border is unprotected. The Terrians, and possibly JeffRa himself, can walk right up to the front door. Would you like me to activate the fences while I am at the control panel?”

  “Yes. I believe we need to secure the estate immediately, even though Mr. Dark Feather’s message said two days. Close the front gates and re-electrify the fences. Also, activate the cottage’s circular defense for remote activation. I will keep watch here at the door and, if I see or hear anything, I will have you remotely activate the circular defense.”

  Misso looked at Triton, a look of alarm and concern briefly appeared on her face. “But, Earon, if we activate the cottage’s circular defenses Jeanip and the males will not be able to enter. They will be trapped outside.”

  “I know, Misso, but if we are attacked before Jeanip arrives our only defense will be to activate the high security fields. The two of us cannot defend Europa from an entire army. Besides, if Jeanip sees we are under attack he will know he cannot enter through the door and will come up from the cave.”

  “Very well, Your Majesty.”

  “Are there still weapons concealed under the kitchen table?” Earon asked, formulating a defense plan.

  “Yes. And there are more in the secret side panel on the wall. There’s a sufficient amount of ammunition and weapons to mount a good defense.” Misso paused for a moment. “Your Majesty, might I suggest we take Europa and the young women down to the cave in the event of an attack.”

  “I concur, Misso. I see no other alternative but to take them below if an attack comes. We will figure out how to explain everything to Europa’s friends and Europa later. Let us hope it just does not come to that.”

  Confident they had a defense strategy, Misso quickly snuck into Jeanip’s room. She raced to the security panel and sent out a silent alarm through the security system, informing Jeanip he needed to return to the cottage while Triton kept watch at the door. She hoped Jeanip would return soon, fearing things were about to get bad.

  ____________

  “Tinderoon, check that relay over by the apple tree,” Jeanip ordered, surveying the schematic displayed on his remote security grid. “I’m not getting a reading from that one either.”

  “Jeanip, this appears to be a deliberate breakage of specific alarms like last time,” Sunam said, looking at the display. “Someone certainly does not want us to know he or she’s out here.”

  “I agree, Sunam,” Jeanip replied. “I think we should . . .” Jeanip stopped in midsentence as he heard a low toned beeping in his ears. Looking down at the grid, he saw the panel blinking red. “Soldiers, back to Minnos, NOW!” he said, tossing Sunam the remote security grid. He ran to his horse, jumped into the saddle and took off at a full gallop toward Minnos. The males dropped what they were doing and quickly followed, wishing they could use one of the small, f
lying ships to conduct their work in the back fields, thus cutting their arrival time to Minnos to minutes.

  ____________

  Unaware of any potential danger, Europa and her two friends chatted all through breakfast. When they decided to retire upstairs to Europa’s room, Terrance elected to remain in the kitchen with Misso. Not wanting to listen to three girls chattering nonstop, he opted to help Misso with kitchen cleanup. But she insisted he was a guest and would not hear of it. Not knowing for sure what to do, he retired to the small sitting room in the front of the house, grabbed a book off the shelf and had a seat. He put his hand in his pocket and felt the purple stone, mostly to assure himself it was real. The sketching of the woman did not surprise him because Europa and he had been seeing that face on so many items. But what did surprise him was the odd letters similar to the ones on the strange weapon. As he thought about the stone and what the librarian had said, his eye lids began to grow heavy. Within minutes he was asleep.

  Terrance’s head tilted forward, jerking him awake. He immediately looked at his watch and saw twenty minutes had passed. Rising from the sofa and stretching, he walked toward the kitchen to ask Misso if Jeanip had returned yet. She said he had not. Terrance noted Misso was preparing a tray of tea and cookies and asked if she was taking it upstairs. She said she was. Deciding it was better to listen to three chattering women than to be bored alone, Terrance offered to help carry the tray for her.

  ____________

  “So, Anna, tell me about this new beau of yours,” Europa said. “Where is he from?”

  “I wouldn’t call him my beau,” replied Anna, as she looked through the clothes in Europa’s closet. “We’ve only gone out a couple of times. He’s here on vacation from Boston with his family. We’re all supposed to go tomorrow night to that new Chinese restaurant off Highway One.” Anna removed a sweater from the closet and held it up in front of her. “Do you think I could borrow this to wear tomorrow night? I’d like to make a good impression on his family.”

  “Sure,” Europa said. “But do you think it will fit you? You are a bit bustier than I am.”

  “I am not!”

  “Yes you are,” Suzie said. “Perhaps you should try it on in the bathroom and see how it looks.”

  “Great idea!” Anna answered, scurrying off to the bathroom. Removing her scrunchie from her hair, she slipped the sweater over her head and looked at herself in the mirror. She was pleased at how the sweater accented her figure. “Talk about being good looking, do you two remember that drop-over-dead gorgeous man at Europa’s tenth birthday?” she yelled from the bathroom.

  “The one with those lovely eyes?” Suzie answered. “They almost appeared to be lilac in color.”

  “That’s the one,” Anna confirmed. “What ever became of him? Did you ever get to see him again, Europa?”

  “No, he was only here that one time on my birthday. He had come to see Mother and Jeanip regarding some special business,” Europa replied, remembering back to that day he escorted her and kissed her hand. “I asked Mother about him several days later, who he was and if he would return, but she said very little; just that he was someone they did business with.” Europa paused for a moment, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. “Although, to tell you the truth, I used to dream about him for years afterwards. I can still visualize his eyes today.” Coming back to the present, Europa shouted, “How does the sweater look?”

  “See for yourself,” Anna answered, as she emerged from the bathroom. Both Suzie and Europa gave a cat whistle to signify how well Anna looked in the sweater.

  “You know, Anna, with your hair down like that and in her sweater, you and Europa could almost pass as sisters,” Suzie said.

  “Think so?” Anna asked, as Misso and Terrance arrived with the trays of tea and cookies. Distracted by their arrival, Europa did see Anna open the French doors and step out onto the balcony. “It is so beautiful today we should have our tea and cookies on the balcony,” Anna stated.

  “Anna, you’re not allowed outside the walls of the cottage,” Misso stated, hurrying toward Anna, still holding the tray of tea. Suddenly there was a “ping” sound. The pane of glass on the side of the French door shattered. Misso dropped the tray and looked down at her abdomen. A purple blood stain began to grow across her shirt as she collapsed. “Anna,” Europa shouted, as another ping sound was heard seconds after the first. Anna turned to face Europa, a bewildered look upon her face. Europa watched as Anna took a step toward her, blood streaming down her neck, staining the sweater a deep crimson red. Anna collapsed before she could take her second step. Immediately, the sounds of alarms went off everywhere in the house and outside. Birea came running from her room next door. As she ran through the door to protect her sovereign, another ping was heard. Birea fell backwards to the floor with a shot to her forehead.

  “Anna,” Europa shouted again, rushing forward to save her friend. Seeing what she was about to do, Terrance dropped the tray of cookies and tackled Europa to the floor.

  “Stay down, Europa. It’s you they’re after,” Terrance yelled above the alarms ringing.

  Upon hearing the alarms, Triton ran up the stairs. He quickly surveyed the scene in the bedroom and located Europa on the floor next to Terrance. He could not tell if she was hurt or not, but he could tell Birea, Misso and Anna were injured. Shocked to realize the shield was down and anyone entering the room was an easy target, Triton crouched down and crawled to where Europa laid. Upon reaching her, he placed his body across hers, shielding her from any new bullets. Whimpering, he nudged her gently to determine if she was injured. To his relief he saw her look at him and heard her say she was alright. He turned his attention to Misso lying on the floor to ascertain if she had activated the circular defense; but when he saw the large pool of purple blood on the floor beneath her, he surmised she had not had time to secure the cottage. He knew their only hope was Jeanip. He prayed Jeanip had gotten Misso message to return and would arrive before their enemy did.

  Terrance had seen Birea, Misso and Anna get shot, but he didn’t know Suzie’s fate. He could see she was crying, so she at least was still alive. “Suzie, are you hurt?” he asked her. She did not answer. “Suzie, answer me. Are you hurt?”

  “No,” Suzie said, shaking with fear. “I’m not hurt. What in the world is happening?”

  “I think we’re under attack, Suzie, so don’t move. Stay right where you are. You are out of their line of sight as long as you remain on the floor,” Terrance said, trying to sound confident. “I’m sure help will be here any second.”

  “But what about Anna?” Suzie asked, looking at her friend lying in her own blood. “We can’t just leave her there.” Several more bullets sped into the room, shattering the dresser mirror and pulverizing the wall. Suzie covered her ears and screamed.

  “Anna, if you can hear us move your hand, or a finger,” Europa yelled to Anna, hoping for some sign of life. As the seconds ticked by into seemingly hours, Europa watched for some movement. Finally, she was relieved to see Anna lift her index finger on her right hand. Anna always had a warped sense of humor, Europa thought. Watching Anna’s finger, her attention was diverted to something rapidly moving on the ocean about a mile offshore. She stared at the object, narrowing her eyes in an attempt to see what the object was. At last, she realized the object was a speedboat containing two, perhaps three, men standing on the deck with what looked like high powered assault weapons. As she stared at the boat, trying to commit every detail to memory for Jeanip, something very big suddenly emerged from beneath the boat and flung it into the air. The boat flew up, flipped over and threw its passengers into the water. As the boat came down and made contact with the ocean’s surface, it exploded into pieces. Mesmerized by the scene playing out before her eyes, Europa watched as what appeared to be a pod of dolphins descend upon the men, leaping upon them, pushing them beneath the water. She could not i
dentify what it was, but in the midst of the commotion was the large object that had risen beneath the boat earlier. Then, to her amazement and disbelieve, the water erupted into the form of a giant sperm whale breaching almost its entire body from the water, flipping on its side and purposely landing on the struggling men, crushing them. After the breach the ocean became quiet, devoid of dolphins, empty of men, empty of all movement except for the large whale’s fluke rising above the water as it dove down into the depths of the ocean.

  ____________

  After what seemed like an eternity, Jeanip could at last see the cottage ahead. His mount was covered in froth and breathing hard, yet he spurred him on, demanding even more speed. He had to get to her. When he reached the back porch, he reined in his horse and jumped from its back, running up the stairs two at a time, his men seconds behind him. Even before he opened the porch door, he heard the house alarms begin to sound throughout Minnos, as a horrifying scream emanated from upstairs, sending a cold chill of terror down his spine.

  “Europa, where are you?” he screamed in terror, running through the house and up the stairs, trying to make himself heard over the deafening sound of the alarms. “Europa, answer me!”

  ____________

  Europa was startled back to reality when she heard loud shouting and footsteps running up the stairs. With all the alarms ringing, she was unable to make out the voices, unable to determine if it was friend or foe advancing toward her and the others. She held her breath as she waited to see if help was coming to their aide or Terrians to end her life. She was overjoyed when it was Jeanip’s face that burst into the room, a look of pure horror on it as he surveyed the scene before him. The floor was covered with shattered glass, splintered wood and pulverized plaster. He immediately searched for Europa and saw Triton lying on top of her as her shield, Terrance beside them.

  “Jeanip, thank goodness you are here,” Jeanip heard Triton say. Earon knew Jeanip’s first priority would be to ascertain Europa and his condition, so he immediately advised him of the situation. “Europa, Terrance and I are safe. I believe Suzie is too. But Birea, Misso and Annie have all been injured. The attack came from the direction of the French doors.”

  Assured his monarchs were safe, Jeanip turned his attention to the scene before him and the best way to secure the cottage. He scanned the room seeing pools of red and purple blood mixing together under the bodies of Anna, Misso and Birea. He could not tell if any were alive. And worst of all, he did not know if the assassins were still out there, waiting for someone else to step into their view. As the other men reached the doorway, Jeanip put out his arm to stop them from entering and possibly becoming the next victims.

  “Wait, we can’t enter. With the screen down, we are easy targets.”

  “But our sovereigns,” Tinderoon stated, realizing only the fact that Europa and Earon were in grave danger and he needed to save them.

  “They are safe at the moment,” Jeanip responded. “And you are no good to them dead.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Tinderoon replied, taking a step back into the hall.

  “Everyone listen. I know you’re all scared and confused, but before we can help I have to reset the security grids and reactivate the screen. Everyone remain on the floor,” Jeanip shouted above the sound of alarms, trying to keep his voice from shaking in rage and fear.

  Jeanip yelled, “Security alarms silent, authorization code CJ1-1.” Nothing happened. The alarms continued to sound.

  “Security alarms silent, authorization code CJ1-1.” Jeanip said loudly, fearing that perhaps the pitch of his yelling voice was not recognized by the security grid. Again nothing happened.

  “Security grid comply.”

  “Authorization required,” the grid answered.

  “Authorization CJ1-1,” Jeanip repeated.

  “Pure authorization required, article SC-E-J-2a,” the grid responded.

  “Damn” Jeanip said under his breath. He would have to perform a pure identification before the humans in order to reset the security grid and get it back up. Facing the wall opposite Europa’s room, Jeanip lifted his hand and placed his palm on the wall, giving a verbal command. As Europa watched, Jeanip’s hand began to glow in a soft light. The wall where his hand rested disappeared, revealing a panel filled with numbers, lights and knobs. The panel’s lights flickered off, then returned. Jeanip quickly removed his hand from the wall, hoping none of the humans had noticed his hand’s transformation. With his palm no longer there, the panel disappeared and the space became the wall once more.

  “Pure authorization completed, article SC-E-J-2b,” Jeanip spoke loudly. “Security alarms silent, authorization code CJ1-1.” The alarms immediately stopped, leaving only Suzie’s crying and Anna’s labored breathing audible. For a second Jeanip allowed himself a sigh of relief, for at least the child was still alive. “Security grid reset with a five feet forward extension on grid UB2. Authorization CJ1-11b.” There were several sparks in the air on the balcony, five feet past the space where the French doors use to stand, signifying the grid was up and operational. The men rushed into the room to help the injured and secure Europa.

  “Ebar, at the end of the hall in the closet is a large first aid kit. Get it. Sunam, check on Misso. Tinderoon, check on Birea. See if they are alive, and if so, can they be moved. I’ll check on Anna. Mintoo, help Terrance get Suzie and Europa into the hallway.” Jeanip began shouting orders. Looking over at Triton, he ordered, “Triton, go get Earon. We need him.” Without hesitation, Triton ran from the room and down the stairs.

  Terrance helped Europa up from the floor and ushered her into the hallway to sit on the floor. Europa desperately held on to his hand, not wanting him to leave her, afraid the bullets would start again. Mintoo tried to get Suzie to her feet, but she was too traumatized to move. He called her name repeatedly, trying to bring her back to the present. In desperation, he shook her lightly and was relieved to see her make eye contact. Finally, able to get her to stand, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked her out in to the hallway. He brought her next to Europa and helped her sit down beside her. Europa immediately placed her arms around her and drew her close to her body for comfort and protection. Mintoo then asked Terrance to sit down next to Europa and to stay with them. Doing as asked, Terrance took Europa’s free hand in his and tried his best to assure both frightened females everything would be okay now that Jeanip was there.

  “Terrance, what just happened?” Suzie asked between sobs, still shaking from the experience.

  “Some kind of attack,” Terrance answered. He didn’t know how much he should say about what had happened. He didn’t know what Jeanip would want her to know or what she already knew.

  “But why?” Suzie asked. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I don’t know, Suzie,” Terrance lied.

  AFTERMATH