Free Believing in Dreamland by Cheryl Dragon Page A

the planes once equipped. You can even be in the group that’ll help plan the attack. When you’re sure the planes are operating at their best, we’ll get together our pilots and you can pick the best ones to fly the mission with Sammie.”
    “Thank you,” she said.
    Hastings left the room. Tension and silence filled the air.
    “If something happens to you, we’re lost,” Jonah said.
    Sammie closed her eyes. “If the Keelons try to reclaim all their citizens, what happens to me? I could lose you, too. Anything could happen. Don’t use our new intimate relationship to manipulate me into doing what you want. I’m not some weak, scared civilian. I trained for this. Not this exactly but as much as any of you did.”
    “Now, I wish you were pregnant,” Mason said.
    “You think that’d stop me?” Sammie shot back.
    “I hope so! You’d risk a baby’s life to fly a mission that others could?” Dorian demanded.
    “You’re all being ridiculous! I’m not pregnant. I was in the medical lab making sure there’s nothing more or special I should do to avoid pregnancy with alien lovers. You three are just mad that you can’t fly the missions. I understand, and I’m sorry. I wish you could be out there with me. But it’s not practical.” Sammie stalked the room confidently. “The chemical weapon is supposedly torture to alien skin. If the detonation trigger is damaged or goes off at the wrong time, you’ll be in agony with no way to land or function. You’d fall into alien hands and be no good to anyone.”
    “They know you’re right. We’ve always been all or nothing. Together.” Jonah leaned back. “Let’s think out a plan first. The ships won’t be ready for a week or two.”
    “So you guys went to the hanger this morning?” she asked.
    Mason nodded. “We wanted to see what they’re doing. They’re modifying other planes as well as our four.”
    “Makes sense. They’ll need backups. Decoys. It’s not easy to plan for this.” Sammie rubbed her forehead. “What if the Keelons bring two ships? What if they attack Dreamland? They could improve their scanners to find a hybrid.”
    “Worried about Liz’s baby?” Jonah asked.
    “And the adult hybrid here. So far, the Keelons haven’t killed anyone we know of. Abductions are bad, but if we make the first move, it could be war. No one seems confident that we have a chance of winning,” Sammie said.
    “It’s a long trip from their world to ours. We’ll have to wait for a Keelon ship to appear in orbit then jump on the opportunity. They won’t have backup. If we do enough damage to the one ship, maybe they’ll decide earth is just too much trouble to bother with.” Dorian folded his arms.
    “I like the no backup idea. If we bring down their ship, will more come?” Sammie sighed.
    “Maybe. Maybe, they won’t waste more ships and lives on us. We can adapt. We can fight.” Mason braced for war.
    “Keelons do nothing but fight. Over that distance, however, we’re not a prime target. Hopefully, taking one out will discourage them enough to keep them away. We have to think positively.” Jonah moved to Sammie and hugged her tight.
    “I want to. As long as we all agree to nothing drastic, like trying to get me pregnant or injured so I can’t fly.” Sammie looked at Dorian and Mason.
    “Fine, as long as you stop being weird about the sex. That’s only going to make you miserable, as well,” Mason said.
    “Fair enough. Let’s go put out a call for pilots so we can meet them all. We need to learn their strengths and experience first.” Sammie nodded.
    “Sounds like a plan.” Dorian headed out of the conference room.

 
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    Dorian watched the ships fly in formation. It was a test run, and he’d elected to watch from the ground. Mason was up in one of the jets testing the aircraft. Not flying the mission would be hard, but it was the right call. Humans wouldn’t be compromised if they came into contact with