The fighters close in, firing their lasers. We had no way to hit them with our weapons, at least from not the angle they were at. Our engines were reversed at the fighters were now in front of us. Before they had a chance to get behind us, we fired our lasers and the fighters were destroyed.
"We have to go back!" I ordered. "I made a vow to protect, I can't run from my adversaries. I know it seems impossible, but we have no choice. We have to fight for the protection of your home."
The ship turned around and returned to Io. Even though there was a dozen of them and only one of us, we tried our best to eliminate the human pests. The ships seemed determined to destroy all that was built but ignored us. The human pests were shortly defeated by not only their ingonrance but by our firepower.
It was hard to believe the damage that was done to their home. I felt horrible. I couldn't believe that they were doing this to a race that they created many years ago. I went to join my friends in the dining hall. I sat near the two that were rescued from the collasping building. I got the name of the panther, Brad Bold. His friend didn't tell me his name nor did Brad. I gave him the nickname Mysterio.
By just looking at him, Brad had used the McBain Project. He told Strike that the only way to keep the strength granted by the McBain Project is to take up weightlifting. Ryan overheard this and wanted to join up in the program. I told them that the ship has a gym for use at any time they wish to use it.
Mysterio, on the otherhand, kept to himself. He seldomly spoke to anyone during lunch. It was hard for me to keep from watching him; something was bothering me. Why was he wearing a mask? What is he hiding from? What is so important about hiding under a mask?
"You should take a picture; it'll last longer." Mysterio joked. "By the way you've been staring, you want to know whose hiding under the mask. You will learn in good time."
Back on the bridge, the reports of damages were coming up. The damage was estimated in over three million dollars; I've never seen an estimate that high in one small area.
Out of the rubble, a few survivors emerged; they had very cuts and bruises. The team split into three groups in order to help the most people possible. Ty, Jagger, Mysterio, and Brad was in one group; Strike , Panthera, and myself in another; Ryan, General Leo, Speed, and Tim in another. Starting was hard, but once we got the hang of it, we quickly pulled out survivors. The local hospital and several air units pitched in and transported the survivors in need of treatment to the hospital. Others - including some survivors - helped in the search and rescue.
In a couple of days, the rubble was cleared of all survivors. We couldn't have done it without the help of local citizens, survivors, the hospital and the air units that wouldn't quit before the job was done. The only other thing we needed to do before leaving was clearing the rubble. It wasn't pretty, but someone had to do it.
Like before, we got help from the people. This time, however, we had no need for air units or hospitals. This didn't discourage them from assisting us. Most of the debris had to be moved by ten or more people. It was rough but in the end it was all worth it.
Two months after the attack, the city was being rebuilt; we didn't need to help them get started. Shortly, they would go on and eventually forget the events of the last several months.
This whole time I was human, but no one cared by how I looked; at least I was on their side. I had found a place in which I could live without fear!
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