The Battle for Sanctuary: The Titan's Legacy: Vol: 2 (Volume 2) (45 page)

He heard
a shout and pulled his mind back. His eyes had been open but he had
been focused on the earth and hadn't noticed anything. But now as he
stood up, Justin saw a mass of ashes next to a house; little tendrils
of smoke rose out of them. Hadn't there been a flower bed there?

“
Sorry,
sorry. My fault,” Aaron was shouting to everyone. A servitor
had come running out of the house and was now standing staring at
Aaron and tapping its foot.

“
I'm
really sorry about that,” he said loudly, as if the servitor
was deaf. “I kind of lost control for a second.”

The
servitor shook its head and walked back into the house. Justin was
sure that he could hear it muttering under its breath.

“
Try
not to burn down the town, Aaron,” Mr. Fitzgerald called out.
Justin could see that Aaron was beet red. He took off the glove and
slipped it into the waist band of his pants, then walked back to
Justin with a sheepish look on his face.

“
Well,”
Aaron said. “The good news is that the glove actually does
amplify my power.”

“
Just
be careful where you aim that thing around me, okay bud?”
Justin asked. He had noticed a carrying strap wrapped around the
upper part of the shaft of the sickle. He slipped his arm through the
hoop and it hung from his shoulder, perfectly balanced. Aaron looked
crestfallen at Justin's comment until he realized that he was joking.

“
Yeah,
I'll keep that in mind,” he replied and stared guiltily at the
remains of the garden.

“
How's
Jason doing?” Justin asked and he looked across the square to
find out.

“
No
problem for him. I saw a few sparks but at least he didn't almost
burn down a house. I saw him wander off after I fried the plants. He
was probably afraid he'd be next.”

Justin
poked Aaron on the shoulder. “I doubt it, Aaron. And don't
exaggerate, bud. It was a little flower bed. I'm sure the servitor
will have it back and growing in no time.”

“
Yeah,
I guess,” Aaron said with a sigh.

The two
of them looked over at Maria and found themselves transfixed. She was
moving so quickly while wielding the staff that her figure was just a
blur. There was a sound that she made as she leaped, kicked and
parried. It was like the fluttering sound of a hummingbird. Justin
was in awe of her speed. She is scary good, he thought.

There
was a loud splash of water and the two friends jumped back as Serena
appeared several feet in front of them.

“
Whoa!”
Aaron exclaimed. Justin didn't say anything but he stared at her in
surprise. The young woman just looked at them for a long moment, then
turned and walked briskly over to Prometheus.

Mr.
Fitzgerald turned to Stabel as Serena began speaking with the Titan.

“
Tell
Borgen to tell the Destroyers that their scout has returned, would
you please?”

“
Of
course, sir,” the medic replied. He stood still for a moment.
Justin didn't hear him say anything but after a short pause he told
Fitzgerald that they were on their way.

“
Excellent.
Thank you.” The man turned and waved Justin and Aaron over.
Maria followed. “Things are about to begin moving quickly, I
imagine. One of you please find Jason, won't you? I think he went
around the corner, that way.” He nodded toward the far side of
the square.

“
No
problem, sir,” Aaron said as he started walking away quickly.
“I'll get him.”

It
seemed only moments later when the Destroyers could be seen
approaching, followed by Richard, Julia and Yolanda. Aaron and Jason
were already back. Jason had been practicing out of sight. Just in
case he ended up doing something embarrassing like Aaron, he confided
to Justin. Like Justin, his weapon hung across his back.

When
everyone was gathered together, Prometheus stood up.

“
Serena,
if you wouldn't mind giving everyone your report?” he asked.

“
Of
course, great one,” she replied with a bow. She moved over to
stand next to the fountain. She glanced at
Democritus
who nodded once, then she began to speak in a precise voice.

“
I
entered the top level via the Gate room closest to the Court. There
were no guards. The halls were empty of movement. The door to the
Court was open. Inside there were three of the renegades going about
their business. I listened to their conversation for a moment and got
the impression that their commander is using Fitzgerald's old
office.” She shifted her feet slightly. “I cannot confirm
this as the office is through the Court and there was not enough
cover to pass through undetected. I then moved on.”

“
In
the living area, I encountered two pairs of patrolling renegades. I
was not detected. Again I overheard them speaking.” Serena
stopped for a moment and glanced at Fitzgerald. “All non Titans
have been executed except for a few that have been retained to
perform menial tasks for their captors.”

Justin
felt a stab of shock and looked at Aaron, who stared back in
disbelief. “Mrs. Mallon?” he whispered. “
Mr.
Bellisle?”

“
We
can't assume they're dead, Aaron,” Justin whispered back, but
his words sounded hollow even to himself.

“
Continue
please, Serena,” Mr. Fitzgerald said evenly.

The
scout nodded and cleared her throat. “There were no servitors
to be found anywhere and they were not mentioned. I can make no
assumption as to their whereabouts or condition. In the main room,
the Courtyard, centered with the fountain, I located several more
renegades. There were two young Titans there being spoken to rather
sternly. I was not close enough to hear the conversation.”

This
time she looked at Prometheus as she spoke. “Neither of them
were wearing bracelets. As we had intelligence that they had been
trained in at least the rudiments of rune use, I can only assume the
bracelets were removed to neutralize a potential threat.”

“
Yes,”
Prometheus said sadly. “It would be the logical thing to do.”

“
Well,
at least they won't be tempted to use their powers during the coming
battle,” Mr. Fitzgerald said heavily. “That's for the
best, I think. Please continue, Serena.”

“
Sir,”
she said. “Along the wall of the main room, close to the
entrance to the living quarters, I discovered fifteen Sentinels. All
nonfunctional. They were in a state of decay that I have never seen
before: rusted joints, gaping holes in their outer shells and pools
of fluids around their feet. Obviously they are not salvageable at
this time. I managed to slip down the stairs to the second level,
through the main room. No movement or signs of inhabitants. The water
curtain that is used at a Gate is flowing and probably functional
now.”

Serena
paused, as if collecting her thoughts. Then she looked over at her
leader before continuing.

“
I
made my way back to the living quarters area. I hoped to get a count
of survivors before returning. I was fortunate. The captives were
being led to the central area. From their chatter, this was a daily
ritual to allow them to exercise for an hour each day.” She
gave Democritus a significant glance. He asked “It is confirmed
that the young ones are taken out to this area at the same time every
day?”

“
Confirmed,
sir,” Serena replied. He nodded and waved at her to continue.

“
My
count was nineteen in total; nine females, ten males. All seem to be
in good condition. They are understandably dejected and frightened
but from the muttered conversations I overheard, they are not without
spirit. The renegades are feared but also despised. This traitor,
Benson I believe, is spoken of in the most vile of terms.”

Jason
coughed loudly and everyone looked at him. He waved at them in
embarrassment.

“
Sorry,
sorry,” he said, gasping for breath. “Swallowed a hiccup
or something.”

Aaron
grinned at him and rolled his eyes. Jason glanced around, then
quickly stuck out his tongue.

“
Yes,
gentlemen,” Mr. Fitzgerald said in a deceptively mild voice.
“If you are quite finished?”

When
neither Aaron or Jason said anything, Serena continued.

“
One
o'clock to two o'clock, right after lunch, is the exercise period.
There were six renegades watching over the prisoners. Two by the
fountain, one by the stairs and three at the hallway leading to the
living quarters. That is my report, sir,” she ended and saluted
Democritus by thumping her fist to her chest.

“
Well
done, Serena. You have our gratitude,” the leader said to her.
He then looked at Prometheus and over to Fitzgerald.

“
I
believe that this exercise period presents our best chance of
rescuing the young Titans,” he said. “If we neutralize
the renegades, the teens can be taken to the curtain Gate below and
sent through to this location. Or the main fountain can be used as an
alternate exit. We can then send in reinforcements and attempt to
retake the level.”

Mr.
Fitzgerald nodded. “It is an opportunity that we cannot pass
up.”

“
I
agree,” Prometheus added. “However, I have a few
questions for Serena.”

The
scout bowed. “What do you wish to know, great one?” she
asked.

“
Firstly,”
Prometheus continued, “what is your best estimate of the
renegade's numbers? And where do you think the Guardians are being
held?” Here his voice became stern. “And what do you
think their chances of survival will be once we rescue the young
Titans?”

Serena's
eyes widened but her tone remained precise. “As to your last
question, great one, I cannot say. It is quite possible that the
Guardians who remain will be killed after our attack,”

Justin
and Aaron exchanged horrified looks.

“
However,”
Serena said, “it is just as likely that the renegades will use
them as hostages or shields if they anticipate a second attack. And
we would be unwise to believe that they would not expect us to
return. To answer your remaining questions; considering the number of
invaders that I saw during my mission, I would estimate no more than
thirty enemies, including their leader. Probably less, but it is
better to overestimate the strength of your foe.” She paused to
think for a moment. “And if I wanted to keep the Guardians in a
secure location on the top level, the room housing the large Arena
entertainment unit would be the best place to leave them. It has a
thick door that can be locked and there are no other exits from that
room.”

“
Thank
you, my dear,” Prometheus said thoughtfully. He sighed and
looked at Fitzgerald. “You are the tactician. Tell us your
thoughts.”

“
I'm
sure that Democritus already knows the best plan of attack. But
simply put, I would send two Destroyers up through the second level
to take the lone guard at the top of the stairs; surreptitiously if
possible. A second group of five or six should make their way from
the Gate pool to engage the three at the end of the hallway. If they
see an opportunity to take out the renegades in the Court, take it.
If not, attempt to pass them without drawing attention. The attack on
the three guards will, of course, attract the attention of the two
remaining guards at the fountain. That is when the remaining
Destroyers can Gate in through the fountain and take out these last
two guards.”

He
hesitated, then frowned as he looked quickly at Justin. “I
can't guarantee this, but I believe the Guardians will be safe
enough. I agree with Serena; the Arena room is the logical place to
keep them locked up. And they are too valuable as hostages to kill
out of hand. Our enemies are barbarians but they are not stupid.”

Democritus
tapped his lip as he stared at Fitzgerald. Then he nodded once. “A
workable plan. Certainly for our first objective; the freeing of the
prisoners. It will be when we return to oust the invaders that the
real battle will begin.”

He
turned to speak to the Destroyers. Justin listened while Democritus
gave his followers their assignments and suddenly realized that
neither he nor any of the other teens were a part of the attack plan.

“
Um,
Mr. Fitzgerald? What about us?” he asked.

The man
looked slightly puzzled. “What about you?” Fitzgerald
said in what Justin thought was an amused tone.

“
Well,
we want help too.” He looked at the other young Titans. “Don't
we?”

“
Of
course we do!” Aaron averred.

“
Yeah,
they're fellow Titans, aren't they?” Jason said scowling. “We
deserve the chance to lend a hand and get them out of danger.”

Maria
and the others also added their willingness to go along on the
attack.

Fitzgerald finally held up his hands to cut off
the babble. “I understand your eagerness to help. And I know
that Justin and Aaron are concerned for their friends. But your
chance will come, I assure you.” He indicated the Destroyers
who were talking quietly with Democritus and ignoring the arguments
from the teens. “They are trained fighters. They have access to
runes for all talents; fire, water, earth, air. You each have talents
that are stronger than theirs are, individually. But you are
untrained, especially in a smash and grab mission like this one.”
His expression reflected his understanding of the group's feelings.
“Don't you think that I want to go with them? I lost my
command. I lost Sanctuary to those...creatures. But I cannot go. I
would only be a burden to them. So I will wait. Impatiently,
anxiously, I will wait. And so must you.”