The Flame

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The transport landed minutes after arriving at the house. It was the big one, the kind they used in operations. All the squad entered the gigantic transport cage normally. They were all veterans. They were not anxious or nervous, they went on irritably, as if the summons was no more than an inconvenience.

She noticed something different about them. Isha's murderous look was even more pronounced. Everyone else was serious, even Tothzi. Two soldiers opened the transport cell. They advanced through the third sphere without stopping to hear the humans. Spark followed them closely. She knew that way, they were going to the war room. The retractable doors opened, revealing the oval room with projection table in the center. Behind it, three figures waited. Standing, between the other two, the general. Sitting next him, his strategist and the mayor of the city.
"We will not use the Tothzi," said the leader resolutely.
"This decision is not yours, accursed," said the General. With his voice cold as steel. "Lieutenant, proceed with the briefing"
The hologram table has been activated. Red dots appeared on the map as the relief was rendered. For the first time in months she paid attention to the meeting. Hordes of calamities type 0 and 1, four type 4 and one type 7.
"Reports show that the final 040 is very efficient against types 7"
"They are my specialty." Spark admitted grudgingly.

"We can handle that. We don't need her," said Isha.
"And how exactly will you do that?" asked the general.
"Air strikes against Type 4, then we proceeded with the elimination of the hordes. Finally, we take care of Type 7." answered Gura
"You won't make it in time."
"We always made it"
"This time you are lacking. You have lost the capacity for massive extermination and containment. Half the force of this squad is gone with final 12. "
"It's still more than enough." said Gura confidently.
"You'll have two hours, counted when the first calamity comes in range. If you don't get it in time or a Type 4 or 7 penetrates the yellow perimeter, I'll use the 040 final."

"Understood."

Closing the house's door, Garuda sighs with relief. Tension and grim expressions melted away in moments. They smiled again. They sat on the couch. Orpheus poured juices, the first glass to Gura, who looked pleased.
"I didn't think it was going to be that easy" commented Isha
"The general doesn't want to lose Tothzi either, he knows how valuable he is." Tak said.
"But human greed has no limits. They can spare him today to sacrifice him for a more lucrative operation," countered grimly Orpheus.
"Don't be spoilsport, partner. For now, we celebrate today.
"Can you really handle so many calamities in just two hours?" asked Spark.
"We have a good chance"
"I will wholeheartedly hope you can do it"

"But if the situation gets tight, I won't hesitate to help." said Tothzi. "So, do not need me"

It was a night of games and some fun. Human games, and human devices. As little as she knew of them, she could guess the origin of the devices. She was the worst in all, but had a great time.

Next day, she and Tothzi did not go to the temple. It affected her deeply. She felt betrayed and surprised by the feeling. As if something that she didn't had was taken from her. She didn't know what to do, she felt like an invader again, in a house full of strangers. She ate nothing, prepared to return to the quest room when Orpheus descended the stairs.

"Spark, how convenient! Would you mind giving me a little help?"
She followed him to another deviant part of that cage: a plantation where it was supposed to be just bush. She carried a basket and helped Orpheus to pick the vegetables and fruits.
"Strange day?"
"Yes"
"Good. It's a sign that it means something to you."
"What?"
"I don't know, but you must know."
"I think I know"
"Good," he smiled as he put cassava in the basket. "Spark, do you have any dreams?"
"Yes, but it's a stupid one"

"Don't say that. Dreaming gives us strength, even when it's an illogical or impossible dream."
"I know how it is. There were days I survived just of that."
"And now you are here." He got up. "Come on, we've reaped enough"
"Do you have any dreams?"
"Some. One impossible, one likely, one accomplished and one still far away."
They arrive at the house. She helps to unload. After wash the fruits and vegetables, they put the fruits in a tray and store the rest. She had never used a knife before that day, and after nearly cutting herself three times trying to peel the same orange, Orpheus took the knife from her inept hands.

"Let's try to avoid accidents"
"A week ago you said you were going to kill me."
"I still go, if Zi dies."
"I will deserve revenge"
"It won't be for revenge, but to save everyone else who would be your victims," he said peeling a pineapple. "Unless Isha arrives first. In that case it will be a cruel and brutal revenge." he propped it on the counter and sliced it into small slices. "But it won't happen."

The others came and ate without sitting down to eat together. She stole some sliced fruit and went up to the bedroom. He finished reading the book he had brought. He sighed. With no way to kill time, she was forced down to look for one. He picked up a book with a different cover and went to another of his hiding places, where he stayed until nightfall, as on many other days in other houses.
The next day, she sought out Tothzi as soon as she woke up. She found him in the basement of the house. A modified basement that looked like a mixed of workshop, laundry room and warehouse, which was usually the two functions relegated to the room. She approached in silence, watching him work on a piece of wood, bringing life and reliefs to the flowers and plants of the panel. She watched him work. He was focused, cautious as she had never seen. He paused as he finished a plant.
"This is very beautiful"

"I know. It is also make me lose my patience while I'm working on it. Every time I start I think about how I can spoil it."
"You've done very well so far, I don't think it's going to spoil."
"I'm not up to it"
"But you did it," he shook his head.
"Aine did it. I'm just finishing her work, trying to make it up to the creator."
"There is little left to finish."
"Missing more than it looks. Next week it will be finished"
Their eyes met. Unspoken words, an implicit conversation. A statement, a promise that he would survive. The brutality of those who knew their own tragedy, an express negative. She cried.

"I don't want to burn you. I don't want you to die."
"I don't want to die" he walked toward her. "And I won't"
"We will need to bond. I know the others are good, but it's impossible for two pairs to exterminate so many calamities. "
"I know, I think they also know that they can't do it in that time." one more step he smiled "But I'll survive"
"No one has ever survived."
He hugged her. It was so hot, so comforting. It was the second time she'd been hugged in her life. It was as good and as agonizing as the first time, she felt she wasn't alone and she will be again. She hugged him tightly and during that mean time forgot her fears.
Then they parted.
"I'm afraid too, but ..."
The alarm went off.
"Trust me."