* They set off immediately as he’d told Norton. Ethan was leading his group east following their instructions and they marched fast to cover as much ground as possible. Kahim carried a scanner which enabled them to see even within a fifty miles radius farther. The device would show any sign of enemy movements like off-the-chart airplanes or stations. They knew the old posts of their enemies and their task was to check whether they didn't push their forces further south. The five best men in Ethan's team tore through the bush for three days making only short stops sweating to satisfy their chief. But if Ethan hoped that growing distance between him and Evie wo

* Evie and Sybil were both sipping their morning coffee in the canteen when Mike appeared at the door.‘Evie, Norton is calling you. Immediately!’ The man’s face was agitated and Evie sprang to her feet.‘What’s going on?’ She asked as she followed Mike out of the canteen.‘I only know that the Sirian patrol has return

With every passing hour of the journey Evie felt more and more alienated and frustrated. She couldn’t understand Ethan’s moods. One moment he seemed friendly and helpful, the next he became withdrawn and almost hostile and he ignored her as if she didn’t exist. She felt lost and tired with this emotional roller-coaster. If not for Olve she’d feel completely excluded from their company. It was Ethan’s friend that offered her the plate the next time they stopped to eat and he sat near her with his own piece of meat while Ethan pretended to be occupied with the scanner.‘How are you getting on?’ Olve asked looking at Evie with a friendly smile. He didn't bat an eye seeing Ethan's t-shirt on her.‘

The next day they reached the foot of the mountain range. As they started to climb up vegetation became more and more sparse trees giving to lower bushes. The range was not very steep, it rose gently above the level of the bush but when Evie looked back one moment it turned out the tops of the tall trees were way below them. For some time they were surrounded with low shrubs covered in thick half leaves- half needles giving out a sharp fresh smell, then it was just grass and moss and rocks. The air here was evidently cooler and it became crystal clear due to the lack of humidity. It was easier to breathe and Evie found it easier to walk despite the climb. On the other hand, the air was dry up here and she felt more thirsty so she took another bassa fruit from Ethan and was chewing it slowly on the way. They stopped for the night quite late as the sun was visible for longer up here without the bush obscuri

* Days stretched into the second week of their journey. Evie got used to its routine and she felt a part of the team now. Most of the boys have ventured to talk to her by now and she got to know some of them by name. However, each passing day made her realize that the journey was getting closer to the end. She felt growing frustration thinking that when they get to Fort Lourdes there would be nothing beyond it for her. It suddenly freaked her out. She usually welcomed challenges, she liked change, going to new places, and meeting new people but all of a sudden she felt as if there was some black void before her which she didn’t wish to know. She didn't want to just settle in another base and build her life anew with new and yet the same kind of people