NOVEL NEXT Book 2. Chapter 45 - Home sweet Home.
Michael took a deep breath as the beat-up UTV turned onto Padgett Road. This road was home; the trees, smells, and sounds were familiar, and at the end was Dawes Hill. Michael knew that he would have problems to deal with immediately, specifically and most notably, Kinthragor.
The large nightmare of an alien had been an unexpected ally to start the journey, and by the end of the journey, Michael believed that he had a tenuous friendship brewing. Kinthragor was strange, physically and culturally. Michael knew that introducing his friend to the community of bedraggled humans he called family would take some explaining and require patience on their part. That was okay. Kinny had proven himself to be loyal; he had proven that he could see past the vendetta and lust for revenge that brought him to Earth in the first place.
"We're almost there, Kinny, you getting nervous?" Michael asked.
"Nervous? One tiny human does not concern me; why would many?" Kinthragor replied, "I have come to appreciate the passion of your people, Michael. I understand that I may cause humans to fear, and the initial reactions will reflect this, but no, I am not nervous."
"Good. I want you to meet my family, my wife, and my kids. I want them to meet the person responsible for bringing their husband and dad back in one piece. I know this isn't your home, Kinny, but once we get some rest and resupply, I swear you will have my help to find a way to get you back to yours."
" The help will be welcomed, Michael. I long to see my planet again. I will tell my family of your honor, and I will not let them shame me for failing to exterminate the family of Andrew Dawes."
The UTV continued down the brown gravel road at a slow pace, rocks clicking and popping under the tires. The batteries were almost completely dead, the suspension was gone, and the paneling was falling off, but it had done its job. Once back on the hill, the UTV would be parked and stripped for parts. The idea of the trusty UTV being destroyed pained Michael, but he understood the necessity. Having a functioning Lacertine UTV would just paint a target on whatever settlement had it, and that kind of trouble wasn't something anyone wanted.
As the UTV approached the central settlement of Dawes Hill, Michael could see commotion. People were out in the pathways and small trails that littered the community. He saw his father standing in the center of the village, raising his hands and trying to calm the gathered crowd.
"I know everyone is concerned, but what are our next steps? They didn't return after the raid, and their ship's AI indicates they're no longer on the planet. I share your concerns about a potential counter-attack from the lizards. However, worrying and complaining here won't protect us. I need all able-bodied individuals to begin constructing perimeter defenses. We need to place pikes around the walls and prepare in case the Lacertines come looking for revenge." Michael Sr. said.
"What the hell are pikes gonna do against plasma rifles?!" an angry man yelled from the crowd.
"Do you have a better idea, Dale? We have weapons, we have fighters, and we defended this settlement long before my son and his crew came back. Now, we have to get back to the business of fighting. Everyone needs to get to work; standing around here talking ain't gonna help us get ready. Get your orders from a council member and get to it."
A woman turned to see the UTV entering the village as the crowd gathered, "It's the Lizards! They came to get us!"
The crowd erupted in fear. Michael Sr. began shouting orders for the militia to muster as weapons were being handed out to all fighting-age citizens. Men and women alike were armed and sent to defensible positions.
"Wha...what the hell is going on here?" Michael said as the UTV came to a halt.
"It seems we are not welcome, Michael," Kinthragor responded.
"Michael? Is that you?" a woman's voice said from the wall of the settlement.
"Yes! Now stop shooting!" Michael replied, "That's my wife, Natalie; I missed that voice," Michael said to Kinthragor with a smile.
"It is a pleasant voice; I am happy you are being reunited. That is assuming we aren't shot before we can enter the settlement," Kinthragor replied.
"I'm gonna need you to hunker down for a minute while I get this sorted out, buddy," Michael said as Kinthragor complied and ducked down in the UTV.
A group of three men walked down the pathway out of the settlement. Michael recognized them and exited the UTV to greet them before they were surprised by Kinthragor. "Dad, Jon, Tommy, long time no see,"
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"Son? Hell, I thought they killed you!" Michael Sr. said, walking up and shaking Michael's hand before pulling him into a bear hug. " Where have you been? What happened?" he asked as Michael shook hands with his brother Jon and brother-in-law Tommy.
"It is a very long story, Dad. Needless to say, I was captured and transferred halfway across the country. I escaped with the help of my friend. Now, hold on," Michael said, holding his hands out to stop the three men from seeing who else was in the UTV. This friend isn't from here. I don't want you all to overreact, okay?"
"Son," Michael Sr. said, "You have a lot of catching up to do. I think we are okay to meet your friend, it would take a lot to surprise us after the last few weeks with your brother."
"What brother?" Michael asked in surprise.
"Andrew came back, son. He is gone again, but he brought some friends, and they weren't exactly from around here either. Now let's meet the man who helped my boy," Michael Sr. said as he pushed around Michael.
"Wait, what do you mean Andrew is back? He is dead, how is he back?" Michael looked confused as he turned to follow his father.
"Well, I'm guessing the same way you are back, son. My boys are fighters," Michael Sr. shrugged and walked over to the UTV. "Jesus, you are an interesting-looking fella, aren't you?" he said as Kinthragor unfolded out of the UTV to tower over him.
"It is an honor to meet you, Michael Dawes. My name is Kinthragor, and I owe my life to your son. I apologize for any inconvenience my presence may cause," Kinthragor said with a bow.
Michael Sr. reached out, grabbing Kinthragor by the arm and pulling him in for a hug. "Anyone who helped my boy make it home is as good as family. Anything we can do to help you, just let us know. We are just glad you aren't the damn lizards. Now, get this UTV into one of the barns and out of sight. We have a lot of catching up to do."
"Everything good, Mr. Dawes?" C.J. said as he ran up in his combat armor.
"What the hell is that?" Michael said, pointing.
C.J. recalled his helmet and stuck his hand out, "I'm C.J., nice to meet you."
"C.J., who? When did you get to Dawes Hill?" Michael asked.
"I came with your brother. I'm part of the crew of his ship, the Bloodhound. Oh, I'm his best friend too," C.J. turned to face Michael Sr. "Since everything seems to be under control, I need to talk to you, Mr. Dawes."
"Can it wait, C.J.?" Michael Sr. asked.
"Not really. Natasha got a line on Andrew and the crew. They are off-planet, way off-planet. She wants to take the Bloodhound and go find them, and I need to go with. I just wanted to let you know, that's all." C.J. said.
Kinthragor perked up at the mention of a ship, "You have a ship, human?"
"I do, but I don't know you, and the last one of your kind I met tried to kill everyone in our crew, so what's it to you?"
"I need passage off of this planet," Kinthragor replied.
"I need a carton of cigarettes and an updated pornhub subscription; seems like we're both out of luck," C.J. replied with a scoff.
Michael looked over at Kinthragor and shook his head. "Look, C.J., is it?"
"Yeah, C.J. works."
"I promised Kinny here I would help get him home. Now I know I don't have any authority, but I am useful in a fight, and it sounds like you are headed for one. I can vouch for Kinny and would be willing to tag along if that eases your mind. Any chance you can help us?"
C.J. looked them both up and down for a few seconds, "Mr Dawes, it's your call," he said.
"You will need the help, C.J., Andrew will likely have gotten himself into another mess. You can trust Michael."
C.J. crossed his arms," I'll run it up the chain. If Natasha approves, you can come. I will give you the night to spend with your family, but we are wheels up at first light. I'll give you the final answer then. I do need to be clear: if either of you gets in the way, I will not hesitate to have Natasha jettison you out of an airlock. Understand?"
"Fair enough," Michael replied, holding a hand out for C.J. to shake. C.J. shook the hand before turning and heading back into the settlement.
After C.J. returned to the settlement, Michael turned to face the tree line with closed eyes and took a deep breath, "Home sweet home." He was shaken from his moment of peace by Kinthragor, who was standing beside him, heaving in air with ragged mooing sounds, "Ugh, what exactly are you doing there, Kinny?"
"I assumed you were using your olfactory senses to taste the air since, as you said, it is sweet. I unfortunately fail to register anything sweet, though, Michael."
Michael slid his hand down his face and shook his head, "This is going to be a long, long trip."