Chapter 17: Making Plans

Eli stared at the cracks in the roof as more dirt and rocks fell.  Kane's voice got louder, and the drilling sound hurt his ears.

"We can't stay here," Marcus said, pulling Eli's arm.  "They'll trap us!"

Kael pointed to a small door at the back of the ship.  This way.  Emergency exit.

The three friends ran through the door just as a big chunk of ceiling crashed down where they had been standing.  They found themselves in a narrow tunnel that sloped downward.

"Where does this lead?" Eli asked, his heart pounding.

Away from Kane, Kael said.  That's all that matters right now.

They rushed through the dark tunnel, using Kael's glowing eyes as a guide.  Behind them, they could hear Kane's angry shouts getting fainter.

After what felt like hours, the tunnel opened into a small cave with a tiny stream of water running down one wall.

"We should be safe here for now," Marcus said, dropping to the ground, tired.  "They can't fit their drilling machines through that tunnel."

Eli sat against the wall, his mind spinning.  "I still can't believe it. I'm half-alien. A prince." He looked at his hands, wondering if the spark he had made earlier was just the beginning of his powers.

Kael sat beside him.  Your father was brave.  He must have hidden you to keep you safe from the Void.

"But why didn't the hologram finish?" Eli asked.  "There must be more to the message."

Marcus pulled off his backpack.  "Maybe we can go back later. Right now, we need a plan." He dug through the pack and pulled out a notebook and pen.  "Kane knows about the ship now. She'll have guards watching it."

Eli nodded.  "We need to get away from these mountains completely. To somewhere safe where Kael's people can find us when they arrive."

My emergency beacon is still working, Kael said.  My people will follow its signal.  We have until tomorrow night.

Marcus flipped open his notebook to a blank page.  "First things first. Let's figure out where we are." He started drawing a simple map of the mountains, marking the cabin, the ship, and their current cave.

"Kane's research facility is here," Eli said, pointing to a spot on the map.  "About five miles west of the cabin."

"And the nearest town?" Marcus asked.

"Pinewood. Maybe fifteen miles south," Eli answered.  "But Kane will have people watching it. That's where they caught me."

Kael moved closer to look at the map.  The guards follow a routine, he explained.  They change shifts every six hours.  The next change will be at noon.

"How do you know that?" Marcus asked, shocked.

I can sense their thoughts, Kael replied.  It's a Lumari power.  We can feel the thoughts of those close.

Eli looked at Kael with new interest.  "Can I do that too? Since I'm half-Lumari?"

Perhaps, with training, Kael said.  Your powers are just rising.

Marcus continued drawing on his map.  "OK, so we avoid the town and the research facility. What about here?" He pointed to an empty area on the map.  "Is there anything in this direction?"

Eli thought hard.  "There's an old ranger station about ten miles that way. It's probably empty this time of year."

"Perfect," Marcus said, marking it on the map.  "We'll head there and wait for Kael's people."

As they discussed their route, a strange feeling washed over Eli.  He froze, his skin suddenly cold.

"What's wrong?" Marcus asked.

"I don't know," Eli whispered.  "I just felt... something."

Kael's eyes widened.  The Void.  They're looking for us.

A shadow moved at the cave opening, darker than the darkness around it.  It wasn't a person—just a shifting patch of space that made Eli's eyes hurt when he tried to focus on it.

"Don't move," Eli whispered, barely breathing.

The shadow remained for a moment, then slipped away like smoke.

"What was that?" Marcus asked, his voice shaking.

"A scout," Eli said, somehow knowing it was true.  "The Void is looking for us, but it didn't see us."

We can't stay here, Kael said quickly.  Once one scout reports back, more will come.

They quickly gathered their things.  Marcus folded his map and tucked it into his pocket.

"Which way?" Eli asked.

Kael closed his eyes for a moment.  The mountain is filled with Void animals to the west.  We should go east, toward the ranger station.

They left the cave, moving carefully through the trees.  The day was bright, which seemed to help keep the shadow things away.  But Eli knew they couldn't count on daylight for long—the sun would set eventually.

As they hiked, Eli tried to make sense of everything he had learned.  "If I'm really a prince, why didn't I know? Why can't I remember anything about Lumari?"

You were very young when your father brought you to Earth, Kael explained.  And your human mother must have raised you as an Earth child to protect you.

"My mom never talked about my father," Eli said sadly.  "She just said he was gone before I was born."

They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.  Then suddenly, Marcus stopped.

"Listen," he whispered.

A low buzzing sound filled the air.  It was getting louder.

"Helicopter," Eli said, looking up through the trees.  "Kane's people."

They ducked under a large pine tree, hiding in its shade.  The helicopter passed overhead, its searchlight searching the forest.

"They're not giving up," Marcus said when the helicopter was gone.

"We need to keep moving," Eli answered.  "The ranger station is still hours away."

As they continued, the path got steeper and rockier.  Marcus fought to keep up, his breathing heavy.

"Wait," he called.  "I need a minute."

Eli and Kael stopped, waiting for Marcus to catch his breath.  While they rested, Kael taught Eli an easy mind exercise.

Focus on that rock, Kael directed.  Imagine it moving.

Eli focused, staring hard at a small stone.  For a second, it seemed to shake, but then nothing happened.

It takes work, Kael assured him.  Your Lumari skills are still developing.

They were about to continue when Marcus gasped.  "Guys, look!"

In the valley below, dozens of black cars were spreading out along the roads.  Armed guards roamed in groups, and more helicopters circled overhead.

"It's a full search operation," Eli said, his stomach dropping.  "Kane must have called in government help."

She'll tell them I'm dangerous, Kael said.  A threat to Earth.

"And what about me?" Eli wondered aloud.  "What will she tell them about a half-alien prince?"

Marcus checked his map again.  "We're still five miles from the ranger station, and we'll have to cross open ground to reach it."

"We'll wait until dark," Eli decided.  "The Void creatures will be stronger, but we'll be harder to spot from the helicopters."

As night fell, the temperature dropped.  They gathered together for warmth, speaking in whispers.

"Once we reach the ranger station, what then?" Marcus asked.  "We still have almost a full day before Kael's people arrive."

"We hide," Eli said simply.  "And hope Kane doesn't find us first."

Kael suddenly stiffened.  Someone's coming.  A single mind, moving quickly.

They stiffened, ready to run.  But then Kael relaxed slightly.

It's not a guard, he said.  It's...

A figure stumbled into their hidden spot.  It was a woman, her clothes torn and dirty.  When she looked up, Eli gasped in shock.

"Dr. Evans?" he said, recognizing Kane's aide.  "What are you doing here?"

"Running, like you," she said, catching her breath.  "Kane is insane. After you escaped, she... she started changing. Her skin—it's almost completely red now. And her eyes..." Dr. Evans shuddered.

"Why should we trust you?" Marcus asked suspiciously.

Dr. Evans pulled up her sleeve, showing a strange burn on her arm.  "Kane did this when I questioned her orders. She's not human anymore, not really."

She's telling the truth, Kael confirmed after reading her thoughts.

Dr. Evans looked at Kael with wonder.  "You can speak to our minds?"

"What does Kane want?" Eli asked, cutting to the point.

"She wants both of you," Dr. Evans said, pointing to Eli and Kael.  "She's discovered something in the ship's database. Something about a weapon that only Lumari royalty can activate." She turned to Eli.  "And she believes you're the key."

The Starlight Sword, Kael whispered in their heads.  An old Lumari weapon of unimaginable power.  If the Void gets it...

"What?" Eli asked, suddenly afraid.  "What happens if they get it?"

Kael's violet eyes glowed bright with fear.  They could tear a hole between worlds.  Let their masters into this world.

Dr. Evans nodded grimly.  "And Kane plans to help them do exactly that. Tonight."