The elevator came to a rough stop. A sudden jolt made everyone on the platform bounce against the walls. A panel opened in front of them, letting it a bright beam of light that made the group turn their eyes away.

"Is this the bottom of the elevator?" Janus asked as he opened his eyes to a squint.

"Yes. I can smell the desert air from here," Sheila said after taking a whiff of the air.

"Let's get going. We don't have time to celebrate now!" Itzel pushed Janus forward, making him lead the procession through the long corridor. "If we're lucky, that Dallas guy might be waiting for us outside."

"Hold up, Itzel!" Enidri stretched out her hand and stopped the fighter from advancing further.

"What is it?" Itzel moaned.

"I know you want to help Gurk out, but we gotta be careful." The swordswoman angled her head towards Sheila. "Let her lead. In case there's any traps waiting for us once we step outside."

"Good point." Itzel grabbed Sheila by the arm and pulled her to the front of the group. "You. Walk ahead. But stay close."

"I'm sure Father would never put up a trap in an escape route that he told me to use!" the young hunter said, offended.

"We've made it this far. We're not taking any chances." Itzel stomped one foot and pointed to the bright orange sands outside of the corridor. "Now go."

Sheila started the walk. Janus stayed close behind while Itzel and Enidri remained only a few steps away. Their eyes soon familiarized with the blinding light, with everyone able to hold their heads up as they approached the exit.

"See? Told you there was nothing to worry about!" the young hunter said with a hint of scorn as she stepped into the sunlight. She spread her arms and kicked up a bit of sand. "Perfectly safe!"

Janus followed suit, reaching the outside unharmed. Seeing that Janus was safe, Enidri and Itzel darted out right after. "Well, what do you know? Mag wasn't lying." Enidri said as she squinted her eye and looked towards the sky. "Damn. Only been out for a few seconds and I'm already missing the climate control of the Eco-Dome."

"Don't worry. If the backup that Ringa called us ever arrives, you'll be back in the Eco-Dome in no time," Itzel said as she covered her head with one hand.

Eva started to squawk loudly as she squirmed in Enidri's arms. The duckling tilted her head back and started to wail. "This heat's getting to her," Enidri said as she tried to calm the child with a few gentle pats on the back.

"You can always stay in the shade of the tunnel," Sheila said. "We can have someone stay out here and alert the Enforcer if they come by."

"All right. Don't mind me and Eva. Let us know once something changes." Enidri took Eva and disappeared into the shadows of the escape tunnel. The others stayed outside, all looking up at the sky as they scoured the horizon for any incoming objects.

"You know, Sheila. There is something I need to ask you," Janus said as he took a break from scanning the azure sky.

"Yes, Janus? What is it?"

"There's another woman in your estate. An older lady."

Sheila looked at Janus with a defeated face. "Oh. Zuwya."

"Yes, that's her."

"What did you want to know?"

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Everything you can tell me. But especially why she's been making Neo-Sapia for your family to hunt."

The young hunter shook her head. "I don't. All I know is that my father hired her for this very reason."

"Hired?" Itzel said. "She didn't seem too fond of working here from the little we talked. So, I'd use the word 'hired' loosely."

"If I knew more about her employment here, I'd be willing to divulge all information. But since we're out of the Eco-Dome, you can just ask her yourself." Sheila waved her right hand and created a projection. She tapped on a few buttons and Zuwya's face emerged on a fuzzy screen.

"Sheila!" the old woman said startled. "Not often do I get a call from you!"

"Hello, Miss Zuwya. I have some people here that would like to talk to you." She squinted at the screen, looking past the woman's head and towards the background. "Are you in my research room?"

"Yes, yes I am."

"What are you doing in there?"

The scientist sighed. She lifted the jar holding Sheila's embryo. "Hey! That's my university project!"

"I don't think you'll have to worry about university once all of this is said and done," Itzel said as she rested her elbow against Sheila's shoulder.

"This is more than just a school project, Sheila!" Zuwya barked. "This is the future of my family! Not something... someone... for you to use to get notoriety! And certainly not another target for you father to hunt! Your family has already taken so much from me! Now that your father's pastime has been compromised, I'm going to use this opportunity to salvage the basis of my and destroy the rest! That way no one will be able to participate in such a sinister hobby!"

The scientist's voice became shaky. She clutched the embryo closer and turned her head to the side. "I assume Gurk is dead. Along with the mallard family." A single tear slipped underneath her glasses. "Now I'm taking this sole survivor with me!"

"Gurk's alive!" Itzel exclaimed over Sheila's shoulder. "And so is the baby duck!"

"Really?" Zuwya's sorrowed expression immediately inverted. "And what of the mother?"

"She didn't make it unfortunately," Janus remarked.

"Well. Can I... at least talk to the survivors?"

"That's why we're here! The baby duck is here, but Gurk's still inside the Eco-Dome! We're trying to get back inside to rescue him. We had a few of our friends back in Labrisson call in for help so we can get him out before Mag kills him or the collapsing Eco-Dome ends him!" Itzel turned to the escape tunnel and waved at the swordswoman. "Hey! That scientist wants to see Eva!"

Enidri emerged from the shadows and stood in front of Sheila's screen. She turned the duckling around so she faced the scientist.

"Hello!" Zuwya said with a gentle smile. "How are you!" She wiggled her fingers and Eva did the same with her feathers.

Itzel put herself in front of the projection. "So, is there anything you need us to do?"

The old woman wiped away the tear on her cheek with a single finger. "I honestly didn't expect you to get this far. I hate to be such a pessimist, but when you're a person of science, facts and reality often clash with what we'd like to be true."

"Tell me about it," Janus said.

"But since there is still a reasonable chance for Gurk to survive, I would love to see him. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a fighter. I would most likely hinder you in your rescue efforts if I were to accompany your party."

"We need someone to protect Eva while we go in!" Enidri said. "If you want to come down here and keep an eye on her and the birthday girl here, the three of us could go in to rescue Gurk."

"That... could work. What's your location?"

Sheila took a step back to get a clear view of the estate. "Just head out the front door. And take a left and go down the cliff."

"All right. I will be there soon." Zuwya ended the transmission.

"I don't need someone to watch me," Sheila said as she gave Enidri a side glare. "Was that payment not enough for you to trust me that I'm on your side."

"If there's one lesson that you need to learn in life, it's that money can't buy you everything," Enidri replied. "Consider that bit of wisdom my birthday gift to you."

Sheila shook her head and made her way towards the tunnel. "I'll just stay underneath the shade if that's fine with you. No point in frying up in the desert heat if I don't have to."

"Make sure she doesn't go anywhere," Itzel said as she nudged her head in Sheila's direction. Enidri stood beside the hunter while making sure the hunter didn't move from her spot.

"Hey Itzel." Janus tapped the fighter on the arm and grabbed her attention. "Does that look like a carrier to you?"

Both looked into the horizon. A single black speck broke up the clear sky. They stared at it for a few seconds and with each passing moment it grew.

"That's it!" Itzel exclaimed with glee. "It has to be!" She jumped up and down, waving both hands in the air. "Don't let them fly away Janus! Help me grab their attention!"

Janus jumped and down as well with both arms flailing wildly. Within seconds, the finer details of the vehicle were visible. It shared the same shape and color scheme as Ringa and Brielle's vehicle. Its flashing lights were rendered dim by the midday sun. It hovered closer before stopping directly above exit.

"We're here!" Itzel shouted to the vehicle. "Just come down!"