The Rain: The End by Marietta Standlee (good summer reads TXT) 📕

us." The Professor explains. "And your brother, Blake, is generously sending some soldiers, volunteers of course."

"Of course." Colin echoes dryly, hiding his annoyance with his brother for not including him in the plans.

The explorer holds hundreds of cabins, and will sustain up to a thousand passengers, Sven explains proudly. Although, he admits, they're not even close to that number. Everything onboard the explorer reminds me of the space station, from the vibrating, lit walls, to the doors embedded inside. The bridge is huge and humming with activity for pre-launch preparations.

We visit a mess hall, and Sven explains it is only one of ten, also functioning as break rooms. When we reach fully equipped labs, the Professor can't contain himself any longer and gushes wildly about all the advancements the aliens have and all the tests he'll be able to run. Duly impressed, we leave the explorer to bid our friends goodbye.

"I don't think we'll see you again during your lifetime," Sven says dramatically.

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.

"Einstein," Sven states as if that would explain everything.

"So, you think that while we age and die, you'll fly around up there and not age at all?" Colin laughs, impressing me with his knowledge.

"We'll find out," Dunn says earnestly.

"At least we will." Sven snickers.

"Well, in this case, say hello to my grandchildren for me when you return." I laugh and hug Astrid.

Part of me doesn't believe I'll never see them again, but the group is so excited I don't want to rain on their parade. So, I humor them and hug each one, pretending this really is the last time we'll ever be together again. Another part of me wonders though, I don't know much about science or spaceflight or anything; there is a chance they're right, they are the scientists after all.

And then there is a third part of me, taking in Astrid's gleaming eyes, the Professor's barely contained excitement, and Sven's open exuberance. And that part almost yearns to join them on their adventure.

It sounds like Star Trek, and I can only imagine the journey they'll have ahead of them. But deep down I know my place is here, this is where fate wanted me to be; Astrid and her family just have to take a different route; this is where their fate wants them to be.

We exchange a few more hugs and goodbyes, before watching the over excited group walk up the ramp back into their ship.

Colin has his arm loosely slung around me. "Sad?"

"Honestly? More envious, I think. They'll have a great adventure."

He laughs quietly. "I rather fight my battles on Earth."

"Yeah, me too." I admit, after giving it some thought.

Suddenly serious, Colin turns me so he can look me in the eyes. "Seriously, if you want to go with them, just say the word."

I know how much he wants to stay here and fight for what is ours, and his words show me how much he loves me. How much he's willing to give up for me, because I can see in the set of his jaw, that he would give it all up for me, to make me happy.

"We wouldn't have to fight, we'd be safe. We'd get to explore so much we never even thought of." He adds.

His words open a tantalizing new world, a way out. Something I've never even considered before. And I'd be lying, if I said, I didn't think about it. It's alluring in a whole new, different way. But just like my previous thoughts concluded, my fight, our fight, is here. On Earth. This is where we belong.

"And not have the opportunity to kick some Gorongiath ass?" I say snidely, pushing all thoughts of space adventures aside.

"Yeah, there's that." Colin says, pretending to think it over.

I box his arm playfully. "Come on, you'd never be happy on that ship."

"I would, if it meant being with you." He tells me seriously.

"Ditto," I kiss him.

And after a moment of silence, Colin changes the topic. "So, grandkids. Is there something you want to tell me?"

Amused I take in his questioning expression, I retort. "No, just thought it was the right thing to say."

"Pretty dramatic." He concludes.

"Yeah, the situation kind of called for it." I admit grinning.

Chapter 6

With barely enough daylight left, we manage to make an appearance with our troops as they clean out the next town. As always, I have mixed feelings as I see the bodies of the maniacs carried out and piled up high into dumpsters, to be taken away to mass graves.

"Isn't there something else we can do?" I ask with a sour taste in my stomach.

"You mean, like catch them?" Colin looks at me, exasperated. "You know how long that would take."

"You know how many resources we're killing?" I throwback angered.

He moves his hand through his hair, which has grown longer from the buzz-cut he had when I first met him. "I understand Viv, I really do. We just don't have the time for it or the supplies; we're running out of room and food as it is, which is why we're on this mission in the first place."

"If we could get our hands on a few of the alien's wands, we could heal them." I insist.

"Go ahead and ask Ka for them." He dares me.

He's got me there and he knows it. Without the wands, it'll be nearly impossible to heal the maniacs and asking Ka for them is out of the question. I hate killing the maniacs without good reason, whereas Colin will argue that cleaning out the town is a good cause, but that's just not good enough for me. Knowing, we're at an impasse, I take a deep breath. I'll just have to suck it up tomorrow and help kill the maniacs, even if it goes against my conscience. This needs to be done and deep down I understand it.

"Look, even if we caught some and healed them, you remember what Ben went through, is still going through. Do you really want