1899- Journey to Mars

“Thanks,” Koothrappally said, doing his best to smile. “I always tried to watch my weight.”

Another cannon shot struck one of the three mirrors and shattered it into bits. Shards of it rained down and Billy felt thin slivers of it on his back, stinging him like a phalanx of wasps. He managed to protect Koothrappally, however.

“Let’s get out of here!” Billy called when he had Koothrappally in the flyer’s saddle. He mounted it just behind him.

“Aye aye, Captain,” Avi shouted. The flyer lifted an inch or two and then scooted toward the edge of the tower. Once clear of the roof, the flyer began to plummet.

“Crap!” Billy shouted.

“Oh my goodness!” Koothrappally exclaimed as the world began to blur around them.

[ 99 ]

The Argent came swooping in to hover over the rock above the well. Below the ship, ringing the rock and the well, the forces of Dejah Thoris stood their ground amid the slaughter. From twenty feet up, Pat Garret began raking the enemy with fire. When the bullets stuttered to a halt, the laser cannon came into play and cut a swath a hundred yards wide around the beleaguered defenders.

“To me, Barsoomians!” Dejah called. One of her guards had strayed too far away from the ring and before the horrified eyes of his company was carved to ribbons by the knife-wielding clones of Conklin. So too any horse that ventured beyond the ring. Thus far the remainder of the horses had been backed down the rampway into the well.

Dakota Gostman emerged from among the horses. In his hands was a pulsing blue orb, perhaps four inches in diameter.

Amid the rain of scorching laser fire from above, the strange blue light played upon the backs of the defenders, and those few who detected it from the corners of their eyes turned to see the spectacle.

John Carter, Ian and Dejah Thoris, covered from head to foot with the gore of slain morts, turned to see Dakota step among them. Tears streaked down the boy’s face.

“What have you got there, Dakota?” Ian asked.

“This is Guthrie. It is his heart. He is dead.”

“I am sorry, brave young man,” Dejah said. “However, it appears that his heart still lives. The light of it brightens the world around us even as the sun retreats from the sky.”

Dakota looked at her uncertainly.

“Listen to her, Dakota,” John Carter said. “And yourself take heart. No doubt your mother is above us. She will help you to know what to do.”

At that moment the Argent began to sink to the ground. The ring of defenders moved to make room for them. The nearest knot of enemies was seventy-five yards away, and seemingly wary of crossing the terrible wasteland of charred mort bodies to reach the defenders at the well. As the wide forefoot of the ship touched Martian soil, the aft ramp came down and Ekka and Bixie leapt out.

“Dakota!” Ekka called and ran to her son.

She grabbed him and lifted him into the air. “You’re safe!” she cried and tears streamed down her face.

“Mom,” Dakota said. “I’m sorry.”

“What? What is it?” She put him down. “What has happened?”

Dakota showed her the glowing orb.

“And what is this?” she asked.

Bixie placed her hand on Ekka’s shoulder. “Bad news,” she said.

“This is Guthrie,” Dakota said. “His heart. He died saving me.”

“Oh my child,” Ekka said, and the tears in her eyes continued to flow. “Don’t you know that you were Guthrie’s mission. Don’t be so sad for him. He was the winner. He completed his mission.”

“The Princess says,” Dakota said, “that Guthrie is not dead because his heart continues to glow. Do you think it’s true?”

Ekka looked up briefly at Dejah Thoris, who nodded.

“I believe,” Ekka said, “that Princesses and Kings and Queens must be wise, if they are to help their people. We tend to think of them as the masters, but the good ones are servants. I would listen to this Princess, son. Let’s get you aboard the Argent. We have to go home now.”