Chapter Seventeen

“Enough talk.” Lex announced suddenly, interrupting Hawk in the middle of his sentence. “We can talk until we’re blue in the face, but we’re not getting any closer to the city or to the mall just by sitting here talking.”

Amber let out a long heavy sigh and glanced around the table. She knew Lex was right, as did the rest of the Gaians who were sitting in on the council. Everyone was present save Robin, Moose, Manatee and Panther. Robin and Moose were watching the injured, specifically Bray, making sure he did not leave this time, and Panther had gone back to the city, promising to come back if she had heard any news of the Chosen’s activities.

“I agree, Lex.” Amber nodded after a long moment. “We need to act. The Guardian will not be unaware of our presence for forever. We must act while surprise is still on our side.”

“When are you suggesting, Amber?” Ebony asked. “And what? We’ve discussed a great many things. Kidnapping Brady, an assassination attempt on the Guardian, blowing up their fuel lines…”

“Going to the mall is still too risky.” Amber frowned. “Though the thought of bringing some of the Mall Rats back to the hideout does sound like a good idea. However, my vote is to destroy their supply lines, specifically their petrol dump.”

“But before we can do that, we must move our headquarters.” Hawk insisted. “Especially if we plan on coming back here after the war is done.”

The other Gaians murmured their agreement. “We really are too far from the city to do much good.” Ocelot put in. “Even now we have to wait hours for Panther to get back, and she knows all the short cuts.”

“I know.” Amber pursed her lips, recalling how they had discussed the racetrack as being the best location for a new Rebel headquarters. It would only take an hour for a scout to reach the mall, so any news they brought back might actually do them some good.

“We will need to wait for Panther’s return, however.” Pride stated. “When is she expected back?”

“An hour. Maybe two.” Ocelot informed them, touching her slowly growing golden blonde stubble self-consciously. Amber had not been aware of when exactly Ocelot decided to re-grow her hair, but she was glad. It was a sign that the beautiful young woman was finally moving on.

“But what of the rest of the Gaians with Great White in the Southern Province?” Ebony put in with a frown. “How will they find us?”

“Crow is with Great White.” Pride stated simply.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Lex scowled.

“Crow is by far the best tracker in the Gaians. His skills surpass even Panther’s.” Amber explained to the impatient Mall Rat. “I trust him to lead the rest of the Gaians to our new headquarters when they arrive back.”

“Agreed.” Pride offered Amber a small smile, a smile that sent a strange surge through her. “We should spend this time until Panther arrives back packing up a few belongings. I have spoken with Robin and she thinks that Manatee can move with no problem.”

“What about Bray?” Ebony asked, her voice soft.

“He’ll be fine.” Ocelot stated. “His leg is healing nicely and the smoke inhalation was not bad.”

“Then it is settled.” Amber voiced, her tone full of authority. “We will leave the village as soon as Panther returns. It has been awhile since I’ve been to the race track, but if I recall correctly there is housing there that was set up for some of the trainers so we will have beds. Now, everyone, I suggest you go to your own lodges and gather a few of your belongings. Do not take much, though. A lighter load means a faster trip.”

~*~*~

“Hurry!” Panther pulled the young Mall Rat, urging her to pick up the pace. “Your captors are not far behind us and if we are not careful they with catch up.”

“Where are you taking me?” The younger girl demanded, her dark eyes defiant.

“Does it really matter?” Panther snapped. “Where I’m taking you is not the Chosen mines and for that you should be grateful. What did you do to be sent there anyway?”

The girl chose not to reply, instead, putting her own question to Panther. “You’re a Gaian, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Panther stated in a clipped tone. “How did you know?”

“The upside-down V on your cheek.” The girl replied. “Amber and the others had them as well.”

“You must be either Cloe or Tai-San, and since Tai-San is married to that lug Lex, I am assuming you are Cloe.” Panther deducted. Eagle had told her that there were two other Mall Rats who knew she was alive, and Panther was grateful she had rescued one of them. It would make it far easier to introduce her into the Gaian village. No long explanations of Eagle’s ‘death’ needing to be made.

“How did you know?” Cloe challenged.

“Logic.” Panther said. “Eagle told me about you. So, what did you do that earned you a place in the mines?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Cloe’s voice sounded weak and defeated for the first time since Panther had rescued her from the two guards who were dragging her out of the mall. “I was doing my duties as I was asked one minute and then the next Luke was coming down on me saying I was a traitor to Zoot.”

“And are you?”

“Of course I am!” Cloe spat, her dark eyes flashing dangerously. “This whole Zoot cult is run by a bunch of blue-haired loonies! Zoot was just some kid who died in the mall. Why The Guardian worships him, I don’t know. But it’s stupid and pathetic.”

“I see.” Panther concealed a small smile. Eagle had told her Cloe had spirit. Somehow she reminded Panther of a younger version of herself. “It sounds like you were ratted out to me.”

“Ratted out?”

“Someone betrayed you, Cloe.” Panther stated simply. “Do you have any idea of who it might be?”

She could tell Cloe was hesitating, not wanting to say a name for fear of exposing one of her friends, but at long last the shorter girl let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “It could be one of several people. Maybe Trudy or May. Or maybe even Salene. Or Patsy…”

“Patsy. She was your best friend, right?” Panther recalled what Eagle had told her of the Mall Rats.

“Yeah.” Cloe nodded, her shoulders shaking. “That was until Trudy tricked her and she started acting all strange. But even after that she and I were okay. But if she betrayed me again, I…”

Cloe never had a chance to finish her thought, being interrupted by a tall beautiful blonde suddenly dropping directly into their path, her green-catlike eyes narrowing as she met Panther’s gaze.

“Lioness.” Panther pulled Cloe a little closer to her. Lioness had suddenly vanished the day of the Chosen attack on the city, no one had heard word of her since. Panther had her suspicions, but she never dared voice them. But now it seemed she was right.

“Panther.” Lioness eyed her from her position directly between Panther and Cloe and their path to freedom. “It’s been awhile. How are you?”

“Good. And you?” Panther forced herself to remain calm.

“Quite well.” Lioness purred. “Where are you taking the little girl?”

“I’m not a little girl.” Cloe grumbled, but was wise enough not to let her voice be heard by the other Gaian.

“That’s none of your concern, Lioness.” Panther stated. “Where have you been? Where were you when Manatee was attacked?”

“He survived?” Lioness arched an uncaring eyebrow. “I would have thought he would have died hanging in that tree. Or at least from the injuries he sustained.”

“He’s alive.” Panther’s eyes narrowed. She could feel a blind rage building up inside her, deep in the pit of her stomach. If Lioness did not step aside soon, the blonde might just learn why she had chosen the name of the most dangerous and unpredictable of wild cats.

“Mores the pity.” Lioness shook her long yellow mane. “I don’t suppose he’s voiced who his attacker is, has he?”

Panther pursed her lips. The truth was, Manatee had not. His jaw had been broken and sometimes Panther wondered if he would ever speak again. “It was you, Lioness.”

Lioness didn’t seem surprised that Panther knew. “The cat’s out of the bag, isn’t it?” Lioness threw back her head and laughed. “I must tell you. It was not very difficult to fool all you pathetic Gaians. So trusting, so willing to believe whatever lies someone tells you. It was not hard at all.”

“You b!tch!” Panther lashed out, her fingers flying, scratching long red lines across Lioness’ face. “How long have you been with these loonies? Huh?”

“Long enough.” Lioness jumped back, clear of Panther’s claws.

“Since the very beginning, wasn’t it?” Panther advanced on the slowly retreating blonde. “I knew better than to trust a Loco.”

“Yes, you did, didn’t you?” Lioness mocked her. “You always were the only one who stood against me joining. Too bad you couldn’t convince the others. If you had, then maybe two hundred Chosen guards would not be marching towards your precious village as we speak.”

Panther’s eyes widened with horror. She had to get back. She had to warn them. “No!” She gasped.

“Oh yes.” Lioness preened, flipping her long blue streaked blonde locks of her slim shoulders. “They should be there within the hour. Too bad you’ll never get there to warn them.”

“Oh yes she will!” Panther had almost forgotten about the little Mall Rat and so had Lioness it seemed. Cloe had crept around Lioness somehow and now brought down a heavy stick twice the size of Cloe’s arm against Lioness’ face. Blood spurted everywhere and Lioness was instantly felled.

“Come on, Panther.” Cloe grabbed her hand. “Let’s get the village, quick!”

~*~*~

“Where are we going?” Bray demanded of the young Gaian who’s name eluded him at that moment in time.

“It’s none of your concern.” The little boy stated in his snottiest tone. “Eagle just said to make sure you were ready for travel.”

“Eagle. I want to speak to her.” Bray raised his voice, his anger boiling up inside him. “I demand to speak with her now.”

“You’re in no position to be making demands, Bray.” Ebony had entered the room, a mocking smile lighting up her face. “Moose,” She turned to the young Gaian, “You can go help Robin with Manatee. I’ll take care of Bray.” Moose seemed relieved and quickly hurried out of the lodge, not once looking back.

“What do you want?” Bray scowled at Ebony darkly.

“I don’t want anything from you, Bray.” Ebony told him coldly. “I told Amber I’d make sure you were ready for travel. We’re leaving in less than half an hour with or without Panther.”

“Why?” Bray frowned, a bit of worry creeping into his voice. “Has something happened?”

Ebony shook her head, but her worried expression was not alleviated. “No. Nothing has happened. Not yet, but Amber has a bad feeling. Like something’s going to happen.”

“Amber is not Tai-San.” Bray let out a sigh of relief. “She could never sense when something bad was going to happen.”

“Oh get your head out of your butt, Bray!” Ebony shouted at him, annoyance clearly written all across her face. “We’re at war, in case you hadn’t noticed. Something bad is happening every fifteen minutes. You don’t have to be a great psychic to sense that. But Amber’s not the only one who has a bad feeling. We’re getting out of here, while we still can.”

Bray found he has lost all will to argue with Ebony after her heated words. She was right, as much as he hated to admit it. “Alright,” He let out a long sigh. “I’ll be ready to go in ten minutes.”

“Make that five, Bray.” Ebony instructed him. “And meet us out in the common area.”

Bray nodded. “I’ll be there.”

~*~*~

“I don’t understand, Amber.” Dal was frowning at her, clearly confused by the strange sudden feeling of deep dread that had swept over her. “If Manatee isn’t really in any condition to be up and about, why are you risking his life by moving him?”

“We have no choice, Dal.” Amber told him quietly. She hadn’t expected her oldest and dearest friend to fully understand the urgency of the situation. He had always had his head too far into the clouds to really be brought down to earth. Not that she wanted to anyway. “If we don’t leave now, we may not escape ever.”

“You think the Chosen are coming here?” Fear flitted through Dal’s dark brown eyes.

Amber pursed her lips, closing her eyes. How she wished it were not so. “I honestly can’t say, Dal. I really hope not, but…”

“But always be prepared for the worst.” Dal nodded, well remembering the phrase Amber always said. “Well, don’t worry about me. I don’t have much. I can be packed up in less than five minutes.”

Amber smiled down at him, ruffling his dark curls. “I knew I could count on you. Meet the rest of us in the common area as soon as you’re ready. Wear your jacket. It’s bound to get cold tonight and we’re not going to stop until we reach the race track.”

Dal nodded in understanding. “I won’t let you down, Amber.”

“I know you won’t.” Amber smiled at him, then began to move in the direction of the doorway.

“Amber?” Dal called her back.

“Hum?”

“It’s good to have you back.” He smiled at her.

“It’s good to be back.” She smiled the same smile back at him.

~*~*~

Pride frowned as he watched Panther tear through the woods, someone running alongside her. They were both making enough noise to wake the dead, but Panther did not seem to be concerned. She only seemed to be focusing on running as fast as she possibly could. And that told Pride only one thing.

“Panther!” He called from his lofty position high in a tree. He had packed all his belongings in only a matter of minuets and volunteered to be on watch.

Panther skidded in her tracks, her eyes wild as she searched the woods around her. “Who’s there? Show yourself now!”

“Relax, Panther.” Pride leaped down, landing just a few feet from her. “It’s just me. What’s wrong? Are you being followed?”

“No.” Panther shook her head, her wild braids flying every direction. “But the Chosen, they’re on their way here! We have to get out immediately!”

Pride nodded, realizing that Eagle’s feeling of dread had been correct. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Eagle sensed something was amiss. Everyone has been gathering their things and we were going to leave in less than ten minutes with or without you.”

“That’s good to hear.” Panther sighed. “But we must hurry. And be careful not to leave any tracks. The Chosen, they have Lioness with them.”

“Lioness?” Pride’s eyes widened, well remembering the stunning blonde who had been a part of their tribe for nearly as long as most of the members. “Is she their captive?”

“No.” The girl by Panther’s side spoke up. “She betrayed you.”

Pride winced. Why hadn’t he seen that coming? He could tell by the expression on Panther’s face that she had. “Who is this?” He asked, trying to distract himself.

“Cloe.” Panther informed him. “She’s from Eagle’s tribe.”

“Great.” Pride muttered, rolling his eyes. There were nearly as many Mall Rats in his tribe as their were Gaians. With Cloe it made four, if he didn’t count Eagle. He really didn’t know where her loyalties lay any longer.

“Let’s hurry.” Panther urged him. “Time is of the essence.”

~*~*~

“You did well, Patsy.” Luke complimented her, his eyes studying her with a look that made Patsy very uncomfortable. “Cloe has been taken to the mines and your brother has been spared until another time.”

“Another time?” Patsy knew her voice was wobbling, but there was no way she could control it. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“Well, Patsy, you didn’t think that by turning over just one of the members of the Resistance you could keep your precious Paul safe forever, did you?”

He was mocking her, Patsy knew. But she could do nothing about it. As long as Paul was held prisoner by the Chosen, she was putty in their hands. She would turn over anyone if she thought it might save Paul. She owed him at least that much.

“What do you want me to do, Luke?” Patsy dropped her gaze, studying the tile of the mall’s floor intently.

“Why, nothing, Patsy. Nothing at all. At least for right now.” Luke smiled that all too familiar smirk of his. “Just continue to be the good little Mall Rat that you are. Earn their confidence and once they start to trust you with their secrets you will tell them to me.”

“And I won’t have to give you their names?” Patsy knew it was pretty hopeless, but she couldn’t help but ask.

“We’ll see about that, Patsy. We’ll see.”