Page 56 of Eclipse Bound
Eclipse managed to stabilize his form enough to project a clearer thought to Rowan.
"Heard Milano scientists... discussing intercepted transmission... about planetary alignment tonight... creating extraction window…"
"Tonight?" Rowan's voice cracked. "You’re leaving tonight?"
Lunar frowned, his shadow essence rippling with the motion. He stared at Eclipse as if he could also hear his friend's thoughts. "Milano's pursuit has forced Galaxy Brides to accelerate their timeline. They cannot risk waiting."
Eclipse felt Rowan's emotions surge through their connection. Shock turned to confusion, and a sharp pain as the realization that their time was ending far sooner than expected.
"But—" she began, then stopped as the distant sound of helicopter rotors grew louder.
Poppy moved to the window, carefully peering through a gap in the curtains. "I count three helicopters circling the area."
Eclipse attempted to rise and prepare for defense, but his essence scattered with the effort. Rowan placed her hand where his shoulder would be, somehow finding the right place despite his unstable form.
"Don't," she whispered. "Save your strength."
Lunar moved to the center of the cabin, his shadow essence extending to inspect the shielding. "The protection remains intact. Milano's scanners cannot penetrate the mineral composition of the roof. As long as we're careful, they won't find us."
Eclipse relaxed slightly, allowing his twilight energy to focus on regeneration rather than defense. The cabin's artificial twilight helped, providing an environment more conducive to his recovery than the harsh desert sun or complete darkness would have been.
As his essence gradually stabilized, memories of his captivity surfaced. He remembered the tests, the pain, Director Vega's cold assessment of his value as a research subject. But more disturbing were the fragments of information he'd gathered during moments of semi-consciousness.
"Must tell them... what I learned..."
Rowan sensed his intention. "You need to rest first. Recover some strength."
"No time... Milano knows... about Zorveya..."
This caught Lunar's attention. His shadow form consolidated near Eclipse's cot. "Explain."
With Rowan's help in translating his fragmented thoughts, Eclipse revealed what he'd overheard. Milano had encountered other alien species before, including Bevlonians. They had been developing technology based on these encounters, preparing for what Vega referred to as the inevitable expansion.
"They don't just want to study us," Rowan summarized. "They want to weaponize alien technology. Prepare Earth for some kind of interstellar conflict."
"Typical primitive species paranoia," Lunar commented, though his tone lacked its usual dismissiveness.
"Is it paranoia if there really are hostile aliens?" Poppy asked from her position by the window.
Eclipse struggled to organize his thoughts, to convey the most critical information.
"They know... extraction coordinates... tonight... trap..."
"Eclipse says Milano knows where the extraction is happening tonight," Rowan translated. "He thinks they’re setting a trap."
Lunar's shadow essence darkened further. "This complicates matters. Galaxy Brides cannot be notified. Any transmission might be intercepted."
"So what do we do?" Poppy asked. "We can't just walk into an ambush, but we can't miss the extraction either."
Eclipse felt a strange calm settling over him as the situation clarified. His diplomatic training had prepared him for moments like this.
"Alternative extraction point..."
The thought formed more coherently as his essence continued to stabilize. Rowan looked at him questioningly.
"You know another location?" she asked.
Eclipse focused, gathering his strength to communicate more directly.
