Drake laid on the cold desert ground. Days of walking with little food or sleep left him exhausted. Still half asleep, he could tell that the sun had risen by the light that filtered through his eyelids. For some reason the light dimmed a little and then became brighter again. When he opened his eyes, he found the hazy figure of a person hovering over him. When he came to his senses, he realized that someone had found Neo and him. Thinking he and his friend had been captured by the desert raiders, Drake sat up with a start and scurried backward on his hands and feet.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you,” said the man who stood over him.
The stranger was a large man with a full beard. Unlike the desert people, the man wore a loose shirt and a large-brimmed hat.
“Who are you?” Drake asked.
“My name’s Bo. What are you boys doing wandering out here in the desert?”
Drake glanced at Neo who was also awake. Another man stood over Neo. The man had a dark complexion, and he held a walking stick covered with detailed carvings along the length of the staff.
“We escaped from the desert people,” Neo explained. “They were holding us as prisoners at their compound there to the south. How did you find us?”
“You were going the wrong way. It’s a no-man’s-land to the west of here, nothing but endless desert. It’s a good thing we found you. Barish here is an expert tracker.” Bo motioned to his companion.
Barish pointed with his walking stick, “We came upon your footprints back there a ways. We followed your tracks until we found you here.”
“Do you have anything to drink?” asked Drake.
“Yes, of course.” Bo handed his canteen to Drake, and Barish did the same for Neo.
Both boys gulped down large amounts of water and followed it with dried fruit and nuts that they were given.
“Thank you,” said Drake. “Why are you out here in the desert?”
“We were on our way to a small town at the base of Skeleton Mountain,” Bo explained. “Barish and I have been missionaries in this land for many years. We travel about teaching the people about the one true God.”
“Aren’t you afraid of the desert people?” Drake took another sip of water.
“The desert people used to be friendly, but last year a new leader took over. He started making trouble by raiding anyone who wasn’t a member of his people. He doesn’t like us or our message. However, we are friends with several people on the government council, so he leaves us alone. I can explain more, but we need to get moving.”
“This way,” Barish motioned.
“Wait, where are we going?” Neo spoke up.
“To the town I spoke of. You can stay with us for now,” said Bo.
“No, we have to get to the forest where my people live,” Neo protested.
“That’s right.” Drake added. “We must get to the forest.”
Bo took Barish aside for a minute or two and then returned. “We know the way to the forest. We will take you there.”
Drake, Neo, and their two companions trekked through the desert the entire day. In the evening, they hiked up a mountain pass. Just as daylight was fading, they reached the summit. The lowlands below were covered by a thick forest.
“We made it,” Neo exclaimed with excitement.
“Hold on,” said Bo. “We haven’t reached your people yet”
Barish led the way into the forest. Drake wondered how he found his way since darkness had fallen. Only the light of the star cluster and a distant, dim moon lit the way. An hour later Barish halted the group. He listened for a moment, let out three sharp whistles, and then paused to listen. The group continued through the forest. By now Drake was exhausted, he figured it was past midnight when Barish paused and whistled again. This time Drake heard a faint whistle off in the distance.
“Is that someone from my people?” asked Neo.
“Shhh, be quiet,” said Barish.
The tracker repeated the signal and each time the responding whistle drew closer. Suddenly a figure appeared from the forest, followed by another. Drake looked around to find people in all directions. They were surrounded.
One of the forest people spoke in a language that Drake didn’t recognize.
Neo called back, “Uncle Chev, it’s me, Neo.”
Neo ran to his uncle and held him. No one, not even Drake, could see his tears of joy in the darkness.
“These are my friends,” Neo introduced his uncle to Drake, Bo, and Barish.
“Bo and Barish,” Uncle Chev greeted the men warmly. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You know each other?” Neo exclaimed.
“Yes, that’s how we were able to find you in the darkness.
Chev led the way through the forest. Daylight was breaking when they came to a tiny village. Neo, Drake and the others were served breakfast. They sat around a campfire while Chev told a story of how they escaped into the forest to hide from the desert raiders.
Early the next morning Drake and Neo found Bo, Barish and the other men seated around the campfire. They joined the group and listened to the discussion.
“I think we can capture one of the ships,” said Chev.
“We don’t know if the spaceships can fly. The desert people may have vandalized them,” Bo responded.
“It’s our only hope,” Chev shot back. “We must reach the Star Force. What do you think?”
Drake leaned over to Neo. “What are they talking about?”
“Our spaceships are docked at the edge of the forest,” Neo explained. “They are talking about capturing one from the desert people who are guarding them. You know that the Star Force is the star cluster’s miliary force. If we can reach them, maybe they will help free my family and the other prisoners from the desert people.”
“Why haven’t they tried that already?” asked Drake.
“All of our pilots were captured by the raiders,” said Neo.
“I see, Bo did mention he was a pilot years ago.”
The men continued until Chev ended the discussion. “It’s settled. We leave this afternoon. We will set up an ambush and take the ship after dark.”
When the time came, a group of twenty men gathered and said goodbye to loved ones. Carrying backpacks and weapons, they followed Chev into the forest.
“Come on boys,” Bo motioned to Drake and Neo. “Stay close to me.”
“Where’s your rifle?” Drake asked.
“Barish and I are men of God, not fighters.”
Hours later they reached the edge of the forest. Everyone stayed on the ground, and no one spoke but used hand signals instead. Drake could see the ships through the trees and a handful of armed guards around them.
Chev pointed to the spaceship on the right. On its side a mural of a bird was painted along with the name Lightening Hawk.
Drake lay on the soft forest floor, dozing until Neo shook him awake. Darkness had fallen and it was time to take the ship. At Chev’s signal the group of attackers rushed from the forest. Seconds later, gunfire erupted from all directions.