Weapons were being fired in rapid succession and she inhaled deeply, drawing as much clean air into her lungs as she could before she ran. Moments later she was swallowed whole by the charcoal colored smoke.
In the common area she tripped over a body and went flying, a screech of pain ripped from her throat as she landed on her bad shoulder. The blood had already soaked through, leaving a large dark stain. If the Serpentis didn’t kill her she’d surely bleed out and die.
Lily jumped to her feet, feeling a fresh wash of anger run through her as she stared down into the lifeless eyes of Jani, Medic’s helper.
She paused for a second and then grabbed the laser weapon that the young woman still clutched, and after gently tugging it from her lifeless fingers, Lily took off running.
A hiss and moan crackled through the air and she swung around, her body full of adrenaline as a large Serpentis rushed toward her. Her hips shot out and she aimed her foot at the vulnerable part of its neck, feeling a wave of satisfaction as the bastard’s head snapped back and it began to fall.
She followed its body down with a barrage of fire and then leapt over the smoking remains as her legs pumped furiously.
Everything was outside. The darkness, the chaos, the battle, the shuttle…and Kerr.
She flew out into the open, weapon ready and was immediately under fire. Several Serpentis were advancing and she dove for cover as she continued to spray fire towards them.
She peeked over the smoldering hunk of metal she was behind and could see Karak and Medic rushing to the shuttle. Kerr was beyond them, already climbing aboard.
The engines were fired up and it was ready to go.
There was no time.
Lily screamed like a banshee as she flew from her hiding place. One of the enemy lay dead at her feet and she grabbed its weapon. She was high on adrenaline and the felt no pain as she hoisted the large laser gun, and cocked the other.
She opened fire, ducking rounds that flew at her as she tried to give them cover. If she could get close enough she might even be able to snag a ride. Once she talked to Kerr she’d make him understand.
She continued to hail a rain of fire over them as she slid behind a large rock a hundred yards from the shuttle. Medic and Karak were almost there when suddenly the large soldier was hit and he went down. Medic stopped and fell to the ground beside him.
Kerr was about to leap from the shuttle but had to pull back as the Serpentis continued to close in and fire.
A New Order Operative fell from shadow not more than five feet from Kerr, and Lily didn’t hesitate. She jumped from behind the rock and began to fire with quick deadly precision, both weapons erupting simultaneously.
She took the operative out as her laser gun emptied its last rounds into the air.
“Run,” she screamed at Medic. The massive shuttle began to lift off, hovering just above the ground. All around her the world was dark, chaotic, but inside Lily was calm.
She grabbed the older woman. Medic seemed a little shell shocked but Lily pushed her aggressively toward the shuttle. She continued to fire her weapon behind her, taking out targets as she followed Medic to the shuttle.
The sound was deafening and then Kerr was above her, his arm reaching for Medic, though his eyes were trained on hers.
The woman was crying and it took everything in her to help the woman jump towards the outstretched hands. It was hard because the shuttle was starting to take off, the massive machine’s engines blowing hot as it slowly rose into the air. She heard Kerr shouting, “All stop”. But it was no use and as Medic was pulled aboard, Lily fell back.
She had nothing left to give, not that there was time. She thought she heard Kerr yell above the noise and then the door slid shut as the engines fully engaged.
It was done. Kerr was safe. She’d accomplished her mission.
An overwhelming sense of sadness fell over her and she rolled onto h
er back, her hair snaking out into the night air as the shuttle moved overhead on it’s way to a new life, a new world.
The transport passed overhead and she looked up, the glow from the engine’s fire illuminating her as she caught sight of Kerr. His handsome face stood out in stark relief against the cargo bay window.
Her breath caught in the back of her throat as they connected. Really connected and the sense of loss that she felt was indescribable. He was a man she could picture a future with. And though he’d left her here, he’d had his reasons. He thought her a traitor. She’d not expect anything less from a leader.
She closed her eyes as tears sprang from the corners. In another lifetime he was the kind of man she’d have wanted to call her own. Strong. Noble. She smiled. Hot as hell.
The shuttle hovered for a few more seconds, rose quickly into the air, and then it was gone.
Silence fell over the area and for the first time Lily was aware of the cold. It was biting and would take whatever strength she had left if she didn’t find shelter soon.