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  Grant laughed and told him Tayana had shown him where to go when she was giving him the tour. "The black pods are unisex restrooms. You squat on the stump and do your business."

  "Sweet, I need to go, thanks buddy! I'll just be a minute." Sam hurried over to the pod and Grant mumbled under his breath, "A minute, you'll be out of there in under forty five seconds, sucker!" Knowing what was about to take place he began to chuckle. Sam let out a yell making snot come out of Grant's nose. He knew Sam was trapped by his junk and there was nothing he could do to get free. Tears were rolling down his face and he could barely breathe when Sam emerged, yanking up his pants and stumbling as he looked backwards at the pod. The expression on his face was priceless. Grant's stomach ached from the laughter and he was dizzy from a lack of oxygen.

  "What a damn dirty trick. What the hell just happened?"

  Through tears and a lack of breath Grant got out, "It's the restroom. I'd be more concerned about where it's been. Better yet it should be concerned about where you've been." Grant couldn't control it any longer and laughed so loud anyone still sleeping was now fully awake.

  "Pay back's a bitch, Grant and oh you're gonna pay big time for this one."

  Grant was almost hyperventilating. He was taking gulps of air to try and stay conscious. "Oh my god Sam, I must have looked exactly like you did after my time, whew. Still a bit light headed here, uh ha."

  Sam was not amused at his delight. He pictured Grant running out of the pod tripping over his pants at his ankles and screaming, "What the hell was that, my anus was just invaded," and he began to laugh, too.

  Their laughter was beginning to draw a small crowd. "Time to go, Sam." They wiped tears from their faces before they entered the gathering hall for breakfast.

  Sam began to saunter off to his place with Kyera and Dyanta. "Where are you going? We are sitting with Tayana up front."

  "Nope, I guess I've been adopted. I've been sitting with these two and their family for the last few meals."

  "Suit yourself, I kind of like the head table. Elevated a little and makes me feel almost royal."

  "I'd rather be me than be royal."

  "Yes, you would, wouldn't you, dog!" Grant added the dog with a smile, Sam knew the meaning and wore it like badge of honor."

  Breakfast was once again a feast and no one went hungry. They always made just the right amount of food with little if any leftovers. As the morning wore on they relaxed and planned some more on the next day's adventure.

  Grant began to wonder where Tayana had gotten off to. She left unnoticed shortly after breakfast. "I wonder what Tayana is up to."

  "Most likely dealing with some political mishap or possibly someone stubbed a toe and she needed to tend to them."

  Sam's comment landed on deaf ears as Grant was envisioning his dream again. It was so real and she was so beautiful. But she was the leader of this village and she looked like a forest-dwelling badass. Was she really tough or did she just like dressing like she was. He didn't really want to find out, but really he sort of did.

  "Earth to Grant, hello spacer!"

  Grant was jerked out of his daydream by his annoying sidekick friend. "So you know, your timing sucks! What?"

  "Where were you? Your eyes glazed over and you were a million miles away, lost in the ether."

  "If you must know, I had a steamy dream about Tayana. There was this pool with black water by a small waterfall. She was there in a very thin gown and it clung to her as she walked deeper into the pool. I couldn't seem to help myself and headed in after her."

  "You're not going to believe this, but I know where that pool is, I can take you there if you'd like. I've experienced the dark water and the sensation you described. The sound of the water, the smell of the flowers all around it, the girls swimming naked and...well, I know where the pool is anyway." Sam jerked himself out of his daydream with a slight rosy glow on his cheeks.

  "Sam, is there something you want to tell me?" Grant had a feeling there was a lot more to this story. He didn't really want to hear the sordid details, but the scientist in him did want to know. Did Sam have sexual relations with an alien life form? What were the repercussions? What were the rules of engagement? Did Tayana know and what would happen if she did? Grant was concerned Sam may have broken the trust of the huntress. He may get to see her be a badass after all.

  "I plead the fifth! I'd really like a fifth right about now too."

  "Seriously, can you not keep your dick in your pants anywhere we go? Where is moral compass?"

  "Get in the pool, Grant, get in the pool!"

  "What the hell do you mean? Get in the pool."

  "You'll see, soon enough."

  Grant took it as a threat and scowled at Sam. He had a good idea what Sam meant, but wasn't in the mood to deal with it right now. He decided he needed to go lie down for a while and get some more rest. "I'm headed back to the med pod for a while. I think you're right, I wasn't ready to go drone hunting today. I'm not in top shape, yet."

  "I'm sorry Grant, I didn't mean to piss you off or upset you. I wanted you to know the joy and pleasure I've experienced. Sharing the love, buddy!"

  "I get it Sam, but I need some rest. Come get me if I'm not there for dinner." Grant slowly walked back to the med pod to lie down and hopefully dream some more. And dream he did, the same dream as the night before. It was exhilarating and exciting, but there was more to it. He could not put his finger on it. He fell into a troubled sleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  When morning came Grant was up and moving. He felt he had to get ahead of them for the healers give him clearance to leave the village and to get Sam off his back. He dressed and headed into the village for a morning stroll. The sun was only beginning to rise and its light was creating a dim glow across the many pools surrounding the pods whose bioluminescence added an amazing effect to the scene. The soft crush of the waterfall and the twinkles of light reflecting on its moving surface made Grant feel as if he was the one moving. He momentarily lost his balance. Under his breath he muttered, "Jesus, I hope no one saw that. They'd have me back in bed in a heartbeat." He continued his journey marveling at the setup of the village. The terraced landings where the pods rested, the waterfalls and streams flowing right through the middle of the village, and the way the community worked together. It was all a fairytale, simple and wholesome, but it was also real. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement and noticed several villagers out and about. He guessed they were the ones preparing the morning meal. He wandered to the dining hall and wondered why Sam hadn't woken him for dinner and why he was sitting with the women, well not really wondering, as they were both very beautiful.

  He was so lost in his thoughts he nearly bumped into a villager. "Whoa, my apologies friend! I was being absent minded and did not see you there." The villager looked at Grant in wonder; it was if he was being given a gift or something.

  He looked like a star struck teenager at their first concert and the star was walking past them down the red carpet.

  "No worries sir! I was moving too quickly for my own good."

  "What's your name? Can I assist you with your duties?" The young villager's mouth dropped open and he momentarily froze in place, to Grant's surprise. "Did I say something wrong? Is it not appropriate to help others do their duties?"

  "Sir, you sit at the head table, you are not allowed to be a servant, you are to be served. I am humbled by your generosity but respectfully, no, you may not assist me." He quickly turned and whispered, "My name is Tyoka." Then hurried off and began setting a table some distance away.

  Grant had not realized there was a hierarchy in the village and it was disrespectful to do anything other than what your station required. He hoped Tyoka was not offended by his offer. He decided to wander into the kitchen, the covered area outside of the dining hall, around back, out of view. As Grant rounded the corner Tayana was talking with the head cook. When she saw him, she indicated they would finish later, and walked towards him wi
th a slight smile and bright eyes gleaming.

  "Hello, welcome back to the living and walking. You have been missed at the meals."

  "I have missed being here to dine with you. You look lovely this morning." He gave her a slight smile back.

  "If I didn't know better I'd say you're flirting with me, sir."

  He looked only slightly surprised; he was caught and didn't deny it. "I'm glad you noticed Yes, I am flirting with you, and so early in the morning. I'm a cad, what can I say?"

  "You are charming and full of yourself; I like that in an alien." They laughed and began talking about where she was the previous day. She had not visited him and he missed her company. "I took a trip up to see the Digger’s camp. We were not seen or detected by the sensors. I have an idea that might fit in with your plans, if you're willing to hear me."

  "By all means What did you come up with?"

  "The sensors are triggered by motion. Under our cloak we cannot be detected and were able to get within the perimeter of the camp. We did not push too far, but far enough to see there may be one stationed in the bunker."

  "I thought it was completely automated."

  "We think not. We do not intend to destroy his life, only the bunker. We came up with a plan to lure him out and stun him. We can move him to safety before you execute your plan of destroying the bunker."

  "Good idea, we have no reason to take his life and he may be able to give us some valuable information."

  "We can cross that bridge when we are there. I must prepare for the morning announcements. We can talk more during our meal." Tayana headed off to prepare and Grant marveled at her nerve. She might be a badass after all.

  She could have been blown to bits, but still took the chance. "Mmm, my kind of woman!"

  "Grant!" Sam came bounding into the dining hall, startling him back to reality. "Good to see you out of bed. Did the healers give you the go ahead to wander about?"

  "Not yet, I'm not even sure they're up yet, still pretty early."

  "I'm sure they'll let you go. Got some drone ass to kick this morning, then a nice lunch when we're done. Then some actual work stuff with the bots, some dinner, and then some pool time." The look on Sam's face said it all. He was addicted to the pool.

  "First things first Sam, breakfast!"

  "Good call, I'm starving."

  After announcements and breakfast were complete the team gathered for their assault on the bunker. The healers cleared Grant, on his word he would return to them for a quick evaluation when they were done, and no blood or poison this time. Grant informed every one of the plan, what their role was, and what they needed to do, and when. "Let's get moving."

  Grant and Sam got into the rover and Tayana and her crew rounded up rides of their own. "Oh my god Grant, they are riding C-Rex's. I guess this really is a chicken fight." Sam couldn't control himself and began laughing.

  "Eyes on the road buddy. Don't want to die before we get there."

  "I hear ya, but ya gotta admit, that was funny!"

  "Just drive."

  "You really are taking this personal aren't you? I probably would too if I was 0 and 2."

  "Sam, you're an ass, and yes, this is personal. I got shot out of the sky and nearly blown to bits. It's time to get some payback."

  "Or go 0 and 3. That would really suck!"

  "Stop talking, and drive."

  Sam chuckled under his breath. "0 and 3, here we come"

  When they neared the mining compound Grant pointed for Sam to go East to the edge of the tree line. "Drop me off here with the rocket launcher and some ammo, then head west to the small incline past where we were last time. You need high ground and it is the best spot. From here I have a direct shot into the bunker when their bot comes out. As long as neither of us is detected before we can get our shots off, we should be good."

  Sam liked the plan and thought they had done a great job covering their bases. Tayana and some of her crew circled around the back side of the compound, while others cloaked the bot to keep it from being seen too soon. With the bot cloaked and everyone in their positions, Grant signaled for the assault to begin.

  Sam took aim. Again a perfect shot took out the sensor. "Sensor down, I'm on the move south, don't want this thing following my trail again. You're up Grant."

  As they guessed, the top of the bunker opened and out came the drone. "Uncloak the bot, now!" The cloak was turned off and the bot began making its way toward the bunker. The drone immediately fired a missile at the bot. It was a near miss. The bot from the bunker was programmed to replace a broken sensor and left the safety of the bunker to do its job. Once the bot moved out of Grant's line of sight he took aim at the hatch. The maintenance bot began firing at the drone. He wondered who had outfitted it with a weapon other than a magpopper, Sam.

  "Sam, what the hell did you do? It was not part of the plan."

  "Sorry Grant, I thought we needed a little more backup. It has to be able to defend itself so it can fire the magpopper at the right time."

  Before Grant could take aim again, several more drones exited the bunker and chaos ensued. There were drones zooming everywhere, missiles being fired at random targets, villagers slipping in and out of cloak, and he still had not gotten off his shot. Several of the villagers had thrown a net over one of the drones. It was veering all different directions and came very close to Grant's hiding spot. Ten seconds later the net-covered drone crashed into mining equipment causing a huge explosion. All its missiles blew up at the same time, leaving a bus-sized crater in the ground. Dirt, dust, and debris were pushed into the air clouding Grant's view of the bunker. All hell was breaking loose. He had to get off his shot, now!

  He took careful aim. While barely able to see, he fired a rocket into the bunker. "Rocket away, rocket away!" Seconds later the rocket entered the bunker through the hatch, and much to Grant's surprise and dismay, it did not explode right away. It did explode, just not where it should have.

  "Rocket exited the back of the bunker. Grant, use the SHTF."

  "The what?"

  "Use the damn SHTF and take cover."

  "Where is the SHTF?"

  "For the love of God, Grant, it looks like a large cluster of grapes. Fire the damn thing now or we're all toast." He yelled into the communicators, "Take cover behind something large, do it, do it, do it!"

  Grant loaded the SHTF, took aim, and once again, was fired upon by a drone. "Not this time bitch!"

  Grant got off the shot and dove behind a large boulder covering his face and ears. He wasn't sure if he was on target or not, but prayed he was so he wouldn't die in a fetal position under a large rock only to be discovered by archeologists thousands of years from now. It was the loudest explosion he ever heard. It shook the rocks he was hiding behind and the deep boom rattled his chest with a vengeance. Suddenly the trees around him were decimated by something unseen. "What the hell is happening? Oh God, save me." It wasn't his finest moment, but he didn't really care. He was terrified and had no idea what was happening. As quickly as it began, it ended. He lay there for some time waiting for the smoke to clear and to be sure it was safe to venture out of hiding.

  "Sam, you all right, Sam?"

  "I'm here, got a few scrapes but doing well."

  "Tayana, are you and your crew all right?"

  "We took cover in the nick of time. A little more forewarning would have been nice."

  "Tayana, I apologize, I should have given Grant more time to get his shot off, and all of you more time to take cover. Did anyone get hurt?"

  "A few cuts and bruises, but we are all here."

  Sam couldn't bear the thought of losing someone because he had not warned them quick enough. He almost lost his best friend in a very similar situation a couple weeks ago.

  "When the smoke clears we can assess the situation and damage. I don't hear any equipment or a drone, that's a good sign. Sam?"

  "I don't hear or see any drones, with the exception of one hanging in a tree by its one remaini
ng propeller."

  Grant poked his head out from around the rock. The devastation was far greater than he imagined it would be. He expected the bunker to look like Swiss cheese, and damage to nearby things, but this, was apocalyptic. There were holes in everything, the bunker, the mining equipment, drones, bots, the ground, and the trees were holey and stripped bare. What the hell was the SHTF anyway? Grant gave the okay to come out of hiding and began walking towards the bunker. Sam met him there. Tayana and crew were not far behind. "Sam, what the hell is the SHTF? Did it do all of this damage?"

  "It's one of my creations, and yes, it did all of this damage. The PSAD would never develop a weapon of this caliber, or knowingly allow it on one of their research vessels. I hid it in my bag before I boarded the Ebony Belle.

  "I must have missed it in armory training. What does SHTF stand for?"

  Sam looked at Grant in complete awe. "You really don't know what you just fired into the bunker or what SHTF stands for. We have to have a serious discussion."

  "Well, what does it stand for?"

  "It stands for Shit is Hitting The Fan! It was hitting the fan and to save us all I told you to fire it into the bunker. I knew what was going to happen and I knew it wasn't going to be pretty."

  "Good call. I think I'll take you up on the armory discussion, soon. I'm glad these boulders were here or we wouldn't be. Let's get our wounds tended to, and then we can explore the bunker and mining compound, agreed?"

  "I'm glad no one was seriously injured, bleeding, or poisoned."

  They laughed at Tayana's comment, but agreed.

  "You know you like taking care of me."

  "Yes, but I need you well, I want you whole."

  Grant raised an eyebrow, and then smiled, she smiled back.

  "Grant, the haze has stopped!"

  "Yes Sam, it has."

  Everyone cheered. In her excitement Tayana hugged Grant, close and almost inappropriately. She pressed her body tightly against his and lingered a moment longer than she should have. The look in her eyes was lustful. He did not mind one bit and hoped she would do it again soon. He could not get the look out of his mind; he had seen it before but now was not the time to think about it, even though he did.