Page 45 of Lunar Bound
"Milano," Rowan answered. "They had him in some kind of energy containment. He broke free but used everything he had to get us here."
Lunar sensed Eclipse's essence dispersing even more, with waves of agony spreading through the twilight field. This was more than mere depletion. Milano had somehow destabilized Eclipse's energy patterns at a fundamental level.
"His cohesion is failing," Lunar stated, carefully regulating his own shadow energy to avoid overwhelming Eclipse's weakened state. "He requires energy replenishment."
They moved Eclipse to the cot while Poppy drew heavy curtains over the windows. She draped a purple rag over the single lamp, creating an artificial twilight that might help stabilize their friend.
Rowan knelt beside Eclipse's fluctuating form and tried to touch him, as if pushing his energy back into his body. "What are we going to do?
"After you left, Galaxy Brides contacted Lunar again." Poppy’s voice was tight, and he felt her tension. He hated it when she felt sad or scared. "They said they would pick us up for an emergency extraction. Soon."
Lunar detected a shift in Eclipse's failing energy as he attempted to speak. The diplomat's essence scattered with the effort, but Rowan seemed to understand the garbled words.
"He's trying to tell us something," she said. "Something about communications."
Lunar listened for what she heard, but only picked up faint sounds coming from Eclipse.
Through their connection, Rowan translated Eclipse's fragmented warning, "Milano intercepted Galaxy Brides' communications. They know about the extraction point."
Lunar's shadow essence grew darker as the implications became clearer. He absorbed more light from the room and tried to filter it to Eclipse. "That must be why Gary changed their original fourteen-day plan."
"We were supposed to have more time," Poppy said.
"When we were training for Earth on the ship, Galaxy Brides mentioned a possible emergency protocol if Earth threats discovered our location." Lunar shifted uncomfortably. "They deliberately kept details vague in case one of us was compromised."
Through their energy resonance, Lunar felt Eclipse struggling to convey more information. Rowan translated again, "Tonight? You're leaving tonight?"
The shortened timeline's harsh reality impacted Lunar on a physical level. Psychological pain rippled through him at the thought of leaving. "Milano's pursuit has forced Galaxy Brides to accelerate their timeline. They cannot risk waiting."
Helicopter rotors grew louder outside. Lunar extended his senses, analyzing the threat pattern. Three aircraft and a coordinated search grid. Milano was closing in.
"I count three helicopters circling the area," Poppy confirmed from the window.
Eclipse tried to rise, but his essence scattered further. Lunar moved to the cabin's center, extending his shadow field to reinforce the natural 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 stabilized in the artificial twilight and shared more fragments of intelligence through Rowan. Milano had encountered other aliens. They were preparing for what they called an inevitable expansion. They wanted to weaponize alien technology.
"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 said, though the tactical implications troubled him deeply.
"Is it paranoia if there really are hostile aliens?" Poppy pressed her face to the glass to look outside. He felt an emotional barrier forming between them and did not like it.
It could be argued that Earthlings were the hostile aliens in this scenario, but he refrained. Before Lunar could respond, Eclipse projected another urgent warning through Rowan. Milano knew the extraction coordinates. They were setting a trap.
Lunar's essence darkened further as options narrowed. "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."
Through the weakening twilight field, Eclipse tried to suggest an alternative extraction location, but it was tactically illogical. He wasn't making much sense. The diplomat's essence flickered as exhaustion claimed him.
Lunar frowned as Eclipse drifted into a recovery state. Rowan maintained physical contact as if she could anchor his dispersed essence through touch alone. Their bond’s effectiveness was unmistakable.
Time felt compressed as they planned in whispers. Eclipse slowly continued to recover. Poppy wore headphones as she tried to listen to a radio for human air traffic chatter. Rowan collapsed in pure exhaustion, falling asleep next to Eclipse. When the diplomat next achieved consciousness, hours had passed.
"You recover quickly for one so damaged." Lunar materialized from his vigil in the corner.
Eclipse glanced at Rowan but didn’t wake up. Lunar kept his voice low so as not to disturb the woman as she slept.
