For me, on the other hand, I'm hoping it turns into one hell of a ride,” Nadia said. “If I'm lucky.”

“If you're lucky.” Alicia replied softly as she knelt down to check the spokes of the wheel closest to her. Purposely, of course, placing her lips only inches from the thighs of Nadia's elegant body.

 

Nadia glanced back as the buggy began forward, looking solidly for several moments at the German airship that remained docked and under the protection of the soldiers who had escorted her team into Washington City.

Preacher and G sat on the wooden bench at the front of the stagecoach, horses pulling it to assist with the steam which flowed through several copper pipes beneath the frame of the transport. Meanwhile, Alicia, Calypso, Nadia and Certes remained inside, sitting in what greatly resembled the single compartment of a passenger train.

For the longest time, Alicia felt very uncomfortable being in such close proximity to an Ancient, but trusted Calypso with her life and was well aware of his abilities in battle. If somehow this was a trap, the Ancient would be hard pressed to make it out of the crew cabin alive.

She also felt a bit overwhelmed, sitting so closely to Nadia and being able to do nothing about it. A small part of her wondered what consequences would follow if she simply leaned in to kiss the German-born blonde? What if she just dropped the expectations of others and began making out with the woman who continued her stare onto Alicia? Eventually, Nadia paused from her stare to turn her attention out of the small window beside of her, Alicia studying her every figure closely closely.             

As another reminder of protection, a formation of F-14 Tomcats flew by, diving down close to the hard deck for a second to let the crew know they had a lot of air support. During the daytime at least. They had traveled several hundred yards outside of the safe zone, when Calypso leaned over to turn their long range radio on.

The battery powered unit fired up as the strongman began slowly spinning a large knob on its exterior, finally picking up a transmission.

“The invaders continue to try their luck at the Norfolk Naval Compound. Just as surely as this transmission is being broadcast to our surviving brothers and sisters abroad, the invaders continue to be turned away. Time and time again. Yesterday our birds executed a tactical strike near the Old Baltimore settlement, and sources on the ground are confirming massive Ancient casualties. Stay strong fellow Humans, and together we will drive the invaders away and rebuild our civilization.” a man's voice slowly said.

“Serves the bastards right.”  Calypso said proudly as the radio transmission began to loop. “Oh, sorry.” he added apologetically to Certes.

“Don't be,” the Ancient said, taking both Calypso and Alicia by surprise, hearing him speak for the first time. “It does serve them right. The murdering bastards,” he added in a deep and concentrated voice as he continued looking out of the buggy at the wastelands around them. “Not all of us believe as they do. We should not kill simply because we possess the ability to do so,” he added, turning back to look at the group. “Some of us wanted a peaceful return to Earth...not the murder and slavery that has taken place.”

“There's something that has always escaped me, if you don't mind?” Alica asked with seriousness.

“Ask. By all means.” Certes replied.

“From what I understand, the Ancients were here during the rise of the Egyptian empires,” Alicia said as she looked to the Resistance-sworn demon, the tint of his eyes enough to frighten most to their bones. “But then you left, and after all this time...you return?”

“We have been gone for quite some time according to your standards, that much is true,” Certes replied. “But according to ours, it has not been so long.”

“But why return now? Why at all?”

“Earth is only one of many planets which we harvest from, the force which arrived here only a fraction of our species.” Certes answered.

“Have you told the Germans this? Would it make any sense to even attempt a fight against the Ancient mothership if this is the case? Wouldn't your race just send more?” Alicia asked.

“No.” Certes replied.

“No?” she asked.

“My race, much like your very own, is divided in its beliefs,” Certes said. “Division breeds weakness,” he added before turning back to face the landscape outside of the window. “The very faction which slaughters innocent Humans in Germany has had many wars with the Ancients at your own doorstep.”

“And so your race is waiting. Figuring the strongest of the two factions has earned its right to control Earth?” Alicia asked.

“Exactly,” Certes replied. “The plan was to invade Earth and quickly control its inhabitants, at which point the real war was to begin.”

“And if Humanity was to somehow prevail?” Alicia asked.

“It was decided long ago by our governing body that should Humanity somehow defeat us, that they would be allowed to live in peace.”             

“Maybe I misjudged you. Maybe you can be trusted.” Alicia said jokingly to try and lighten the mood, thick tension running amok throughout the cabin area of the buggy.

“A lot more so than many of your own people.” Certes replied, immediately getting an icy stare from Nadia.

“What do you mean by that?” Alicia asked.

“We got company!” Preacher yelled back to the group as he pulled the horses back with the attached leather straps. Alicia, like the rest of the passengers, immediately broke away from the conversation to pull her weapons into play.

Two men on horseback approached, both wearing crimson red overcoats with gold sashes hanging from their waists. They each had a long barrel shotgun, but the weapons were holstered onto the sides of their horses.

“Nomads. Their sashes are a giveaway.” Alicia said in a soft voice.

“Should we be concerned?” Nadia asked.

“It depends on whether or not they are the aggressive type,” Alicia replied, turning to look at the woman of complete beauty. “If so, your concern should be for them.” she added with a smile as Calypso placed a hand onto the shotgun which remained holstered to his thigh.             

The buggy came to a complete stop, both of the horsemen barely visible in front of it as dust clouded around the group for a moment.

“Can we help you?” one of the horsemen yelled in a friendly but probing tone.

              “Just passing through the wastelands, trying to make our way to Old Mexico.