The Odds Are Not Good

*Kamila*

Diana and I are clear that there is a battle raging outside the castle, and I desperately want to get out of here, to try to reach my ET1s, so we can all be together again.

Well, most of us. I still don't know if they've found Eli, but I feel deep inside that they haven't. I can sense that the other three ET1s are nearby. He's part of our bond, I think. Maybe it's our children calling for their parents. But Eli seems to be missing, and my heart hurts.

We're back in the room I woke up in a while ago, standing near the window. "It's a good thing we're in the castle instead of out on the battlefield," Diana begins. —In fact, it's a good thing we're behind ET1 Kane's troops and not in front of them.

"Why do you say that?" I ask, confused. I see a wall of ET´s in front of the castle, but I still can't see what they're preparing for, and the glas... is so thick it's hard to hear anything.

"Because... ET1 Kane plays dirty," he says. —Do you see all those humans standing closer to the castle?

“Yes,” I say, my eyes focusing on them. -What is going on with them?

“Those are the snipers,” he says, shaking his head.

"Snipers?" I ask. A wave of fear washes over me, settling deep in my stomach, twisting into a knot. "You mean..." Before I can finish the question or wait for his response, I see exactly what he's talking about. The sun shines on the black steel.

Firearms.

The humans have not transformed into their ET forms because they are armed with firearms. “He always does that,” Diana says, looking grim. —He knows he can't win if he plays fair, so he cheats. He has gunmen ready to shoot the ET´s with silver bullets as they attack his forces.

My knees get weak just thinking about the damage a bullet through one of my ET1s could cause. I gripped the window sill, trying to stay upright.

Diana sees me struggling and walks over, taking my arm. —Are you okay? —She asks me.

I shake my head. -No. “I feel like I'm going to throw up,” I admit. —What if one of my ET1s dies? —Even the thought of his warriors being shot makes me sick.

-I know. “It's terrible,” says Diana. —But you can't communicate with them because ET1 Kane is interfering with your thoughts, right? He doesn't allow you to use the mental link.

-That's how it is-. I sink into a chair near the window, my hands rubbing my bulging belly. —There has to be some way to communicate with them, though.

Diana shrugs her shoulders. —Even if there is, do you think she would make any difference? I mean, they're ET1s, on their way to save you, right? There is already a battle raging on the other side of the castle with his advanced troops, and they are doing well there. You could tell them that ET1 Kane has called in snipers on him, but I doubt they'll slow him down to get here.

You may be right, but still, I have to try. "Why aren't you shooting at them?" I ask.

—You know that if you allow the shooters to fire before the ET1s arrive, they will hear the shots or be informed about the shooting from their advanced forces. So they will stop, and then you won't have a chance to take out the big dogs.

"My ET1s," I correct her, and she nods. —We have to do something!— I try to get up again, but I can't. I'm too weak, and the babies are thrashing around inside me, like they're playing Twister.

—I'm sorry, Kamila. I wish I could help you again, but I don't think she can this time. Diana looks at me with sympathy, and I think that she is actually trying to help, to be a friend to me.

I think for a moment about what to do. I try to communicate with the ET1s again, but it's clear that ET1 Kane is still doing that thing that prevents me from using my mental link. “Shit,” I mutter.

"ET1s have a lot of power when it comes to mental bonds," he says. —Especially when someone is in your pack, under your control.

“You can say that again,” I agree as some sound finally reaches me, and I hear howling in the distance. I wonder if I could open the window and yell at them. "Maybe you could sneak out and tell them!" I say, tugging on her arm.

"Uhm, no, I don't think that's a good idea," he says. —They won't know I'm there to help, and they'll run me over.

"You could tell them with the mental link that you're on their side before they get to you!" I suggest. —They are all ET1s. They will be able to hear you!

"Wait!" he says. -You're right. They are all ET1s. I don't need to go out to reach them! Assuming ET1 Kane hasn't realized I'm helping you yet, he's not interfering with my mental link. I can communicate with them!

I feel stupid for not having thought of that before. "Of course you can!" I smack my forehead. —His names are ET1 Tristan, ET1 Mark and ET1 Reece. See if you can contact them! Tell them I'm here and about the guns.

Diana nods, and I pray that she can communicate with them... and that I can trust her.

I can trust her, right?

A few moments later, Diana nods. "It's okay," she tells me. —I was able to communicate with the three and told them about the weapons and where you are.

—Thanks to the Goddess of the Moon!— I exclaim. —What are they going to do?

"I'm not sure," she says. —It wasn't easy for them to trust me when I told them that she was on your side. So... I'm sure they'll have to decide without me.

"Well, at least you know," I smile optimistically. I hope it's enough. -Thank you.

"You're welcome," he says. —But... when you leave here, you'll take me with you, right?

"Of course!" I as...ure him. —You should probably go pack your bags.

She laughs. "I don't have anything worth taking."

That saddens me, but I can empathize. I've been there too.

Outside the window, I hear more howling... and then... a burst of gunshots. He closed his eyes tightly, afraid Kamila to look.

What if everyone dies?