CHAPTER NINETEEN
ALEXANDRA
When I heard that Ineq was the father of my child I was filled with such relief. He was the one that I wanted, and the commander was a big mistake. It was one I would live with forever. But just as the captain was starting to let me back in and not be so cold, there was a siren that changed everything. Hearing the sound made my heart drop to my stomach and panic fill me. I had never heard such a terrifying sound before, and I knew that it could not be good. And it wasn't. It meant that I had to say goodbye to the captain. I did not know if he would return to me or not. Now I was helping Lisa carry a basket of supplies through the thick jungle path.
“Do not worry, Alexandra. The emergency bunker is very large; it is like an airplane hangar. There is plenty of room.”
“Have you been down there many times? Is it always like this on this planet? Always under threat of an attack?” I asked.
“I have only been down there once when there was a battle here. The opposition invaded,” she said sadly. I knew I had stirred up a memory that she did not want to talk about. So I changed the subject.
“Thank you for showing me the ropes. You'll have to show me everything when we get in there and what to do with this basket of stuff. Thank you for everything, Lisa. I would not know anything about the village and the Draqua ways if it were not for you. It is good to have another human to talk to.”
“You are welcome, Alexandra. Come, let us go faster; we are almost there,” she said.
The jungle path emerged to a big clearing. At the edge of the clearing was an entrance, an arch with doors. There were many humans, children, and Draqua in the area. Lots of commotion and orderly chaos as everyone formed a line to enter the doors.
“We will wait here in line. When we get down into the bunker, I will show you where to drop the supplies. Once we are down there, there are plenty of beds and areas to just hang out. It is quite nice.”
“Good, I was picturing a hole in the ground, very dark and filled with despair,” I joked.
“No, it is basically the communal areas of the village but underground. There is plenty of space; you will see.”
We then went through the archway, and there was a massive spiral staircase on the other side just like the ones that were inside the massive trees that would let me get to the cottages in the trees. We took the stairs down what seemed to be four flights. Then at the bottom of the stairs, there was a long hallway. The hallway then grew into a very large cavernous dome room; it was like an airplane hangar, just as she had said. There were rows of bunk beds all along the massive room.
“This way to the supply area,” Lisa said. I followed her toward the back of the large room. We handed our baskets off to several Draqua that were working that area. There were large tables and shelves that were filled with supplies.
“I will show you around,” Lisa said. On the other side of the dome from the supply area were long tables. “This is where we have our meals. It will be done in groups. It is very orderly, and there's always enough food for everyone. Over here in this area is just a general area for sitting and socializing,” she said, pointing to a very large area with lots of benches and pillows on rugs. It was like camping. “In the very back is where you will find washrooms. That is about it. Whenever you want to sleep, we will find empty beds for us. For now, would you like to sit in the communal area?”
“Yes, that sounds good,” I said.
We sat down. We were quiet for a minute as I looked around at everyone pouring into the bunker and taking beds or places to sit. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and not panicked. I knew that we were only here as a precaution and there was no invasion so far, only the threat. But the warriors were being sent to squash it before it could ever leave Tiok. I hoped that the captain and the commander could find Camilla and that she was safe. I also hope they all returned safely; I needed the captain now more than ever.
“So, Captain Shun is the father of your child?” Lisa cut through my thoughts.
“What?”
“The captain?” she said.
“Oh, yes,” I smiled.
“I am very happy for you both. He will make a great father and husband, no doubt.”
“Yes, if he returns.”
“Don't think like that. He will return to you; you must have hope. Even though mine did not.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“My husband, Krillion, was in a great battle that took place here on the island. I was down here in the bunker waiting for him, but when the battle was over, I found out that he did not make it.”
“Oh my God, Lisa. I am so sorry.”
“Thank you; I think of him every day.”
“You were married to him? Did you have offspring?”
“No, we had only been married four months, and we knew there was a threat from the opposition, so we were going to wait until the threat was over and cleared. It seemed a good idea at the time. I did not want to be pregnant and have to run for the bunker,” she said.
“Yes, I understand that. If I were further along, this would be very difficult,” I said, putting my hand on my belly.
“Will you remarry?”
“Yes, I will, eventually. There is a grace period mandated by the king. If you are a widow, you can take as much time as you want before anyone can court you again. It is really up to me.”
“I understand,” I said.
“But my point is not to worry about the captain. Worrying won't make a difference, and it is not good for the offspring. Know that he is coming back to you and that is all there is to it.”
“Yes, you are right.”
I sat there suddenly feeling very tired. Having to worry about so many things was exhausting. I didn't know if the captain would return, and if he did, would he have Camilla with him? I would have to tell her everything; I would have to be honest with her. Then I would have to deal with her hating me. It was fine if she returned and hated me. I would just be glad that she had returned to me. I did not want her with Aeriwanas any longer than was necessary; it had already been too long. I hoped that she was strong enough to deal with whatever they were doing to her.
“I think I am going to go lay down. I did not get much sleep at all last night. And being with child has made me very sleepy all the time,” I said.
“Come, I will show you how to tell if a bunk has been cleaned or not,” Lisa said. I followed her to the maze of beds and found one in the corner. I laid down and instantly fell asleep. I hoped that when I woke up, all of this would be over.