Free Escape to Earth 3: Defending Holy Ground by Saxon Andrew Page A

them.”
    “We’ve had the converters working overtime at the Magnetar but they’ll have to come back home to replenish their supplies. The invaders will arrive at the edge of the galaxy before they could rearm and go back out.”
    “So what are you going to do?”
    “I’m skipping the converters out to Andromeda to start collecting there. We’ve pretty much done all we can here.”
    “What about the Fellowship?”
    Lukas leaned back, “I’ve sent diagrams of our technology to the Welken Royal. I don’t think the Invaders will waste time attempting to conquer them. They’ll be scanning for Pat and won’t have the provisions to really go to war. Most of them are sending colony ships to another galaxy.”
    “Are they going to Andromeda?”
    “No Salud, I sent them the videos of the trouble we had there and they’re moving toward galaxies further away from the Virgo Cluster. Andromeda is too close.”
    “Why did we go there if that’s the case?”
    “Because it is our intent to continue the fight. We needed to be relatively close to make that happen. I’m still not sure we’ll be able to build the necessary forces to fight them.”
    “But we’ve destroyed so many of their ships.”
    “You’re forgetting the other civilization in M-87. I suspect that if the Orange Ships fail, they will be called in by the ones leading the attacks.”
    “You can’t be serious!”
    “Why do you think they’ve divided that galaxy without going to war? Their version of the Sentinels have probably prohibited it. That means they control both forces. Have you looked at Loree’s latest reports?”
    “No. Have I missed something?”
    “If you remember, when she left M-87 after the destruction of the conduit, she deliberately flew toward M-84.”
    “I remember.”
    “Our probes have shown a huge fleet of green ships leaving M-87 and headed toward M-84. I suspect they’re being sent to check out if there is a civilization that could represent a threat to them there. I believe they would have sent the Orange Ships if they weren’t tied down invading us. That has to mean their Sentinels can direct both of them.”
    “So we haven’t even put a dent in the total number of ships they have to use?”
    “It does appear that way. Remember, M-87 is three times larger than Andromeda and the Milky Way combined. This is not a war that can be won or lost quickly.” Lukas paused and took Salud’s hands, “I was wondering if you would go back to Boston with me before we’re forced to leave for Andromeda?”
    “Why do you want to go there?”
    “I was hoping you would agree to marry me there.”
    Salud’s eyes went wide and she wrapped her arms around Lukas’ neck. She started crying and Lukas said, “If you don’t want to, I understand.”
    “No, I mean yes. I’ll marry you, Lukas. I’ve been hoping you would ask for so long.”
    “I was afraid you would say no; I am, or was, an alien.”
    “You’re not any more. You’re more human than any of us. Let’s go now! I’ll contact Dad and he can meet us there.”
    Lukas leaned back and looked into her eyes, “Are you sure about this?”
    “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. We’re wasting time.”
    Lukas smiled and said, “Willow, will you take us to Boston?”
    “I’m waiting in the silo. I do trust you’re going to allow me to attend?”
    Salud wiped her tears and said, “You’re going to be the maid of honor.”
    Lukas said, “Contact Joey and see if he’s available to be the Best Man.”
    There was a moment of silence and then Willow said, “He’s on the way to Boston. He’s honored you would ask.”
    Salud said, “Contact Jack and see if we can do the ceremony at the restaurant.”
    Lukas smiled and nodded.
    “I hope you don’t mind but I also contacted Trevor and he’s on his way from Andromeda with Amanda. Jinks is also coming in with Stoney and Kathy.”
    Lukas started shaking his head, “I thought we’d keep it small.