Rise of the Death Walkers (The Circle of Heritage Saga) (42 page)

“Fine,” Ricky said “But what do we do about losing over here? If it’s going to happen the way you say we don’t stand a chance in surviving.”

“Oh you will survive. When this happens over here you will be working with Katie’s father, who will be head of the underground rebels we will be forming. Eventually Ricky you will be joining Jason in Europe, where he will end up eventually. Jenna will be strong enough by then to work with Sue and other members of the tribe to keep the movement here alive until Jason can turn his attention to this area.” I looked from one grandchild to another and gave them time to think before asking. “Are you both with the program?”

“Before I say yes or no,” Jenna began, “you stated that Jason would be made to think that Katie is dead. This means she will be alive and working with us?”

“Yes she will be filled in at the appropriate time and will understand her part in everything. Children, the war is not looking good for us right now. With the emergence of these new enemies, we call them Death Walkers, we are losing ground on so many fronts. Even the home world of Barmin is being assaulted as we speak. We need things to go the way we have planned or we will surly cease to exist as a race, both Humanity and the Barmins are counting on us to succeed.

“Count me in Grandfather.” Ricky said boldly.

I felt my heart breaking committing a twelve year old, who should be playing games with other children, to the cause of war. I turned to Jenna. “Jenna?”

“I still have my own demons to fight with so to speak, but for my family and for the human race I am in the program.” She had a fierce spark in her eyes and I could feel the power emanating from her as she made this bold commitment. The light fixture above us burst into thousands of pieces and showered down on us. “That is, if I don’t end up killing us before then.”

Ricky and I looked at each other before we both burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny about that?” Jenna asked folding her arms over her chest and glaring at us.

I was laughing so hard at the memory, I had tears streaming from my eyes. I wiped the tears away and said. “Well as you know I have been the one responsible for guiding Jason in his training. We went to your uncle Terry’s farm one day to help harvest the corn. Jason was sitting on the side of the south cornfield taking a break, when he decided there was a better way to do all the work without all the manual labor we put in. So he concentrated hard and lifted the entire south cornfield into the air and was going to place it on the wagon before he realized something was going wrong. The energy required to life the whole field at once was enormous and the heat generated by his actions dried up the corn and overheated it. Terry was hopping up and down mad as a hornet when it started snowing popcorn.”

Jenna had to chuckle at the mental image of this. “Ok, ok so I don’t have control over my abilities right now. With time I hope to change that.”

“I am absolutely sure you will at that Jenna.” We all turned to face where the voice was coming from.

Amanda walked back into the room and said. “I have spoken with the council and we have found the training we need to be able to work with Jenna and her abilities.”

“What training?” Jenna asked.

“Well we are not much good to you if you begin singing and everyone in range of your voice is frozen, so to speak.” Amanda stated. “We have to be able to resist your call and be ready to do our jobs when you are luring the enemy. I just wish we had a more reliable source for mind healing than myself.”

“Enough of that Amanda. Just because you have a minimum of success with the five children does not mean you are not capable of doing what is needed. You heard Moevin yourself, last time she called, The even she would eventually have difficulty doing much with the children because they are a jump forward in the process that they never foresaw.”

“What do you mean by this Mimi?” Jenna asked.

“Well, child, I was not able to help you was I?” Mimi asked.

“Even Jason had a hard time drawing me out of where I had bunkered myself in my mind, Mimi.” Jenna returned.

“Mimi,” Ricky began, “You have helped us all you could help us and for that we are thankful. I remember the day momma died.” Tears welled up in his eyes at this memory. He wiped them away and continued. “You were there for all of us and helped us through that terrible experience. And Aunt Sue and Uncle Terry took as into their house, knowing what freaks we are.”

Mimi reached out and slapped Ricky. “Don’t ever refer to yourselves as freaks in my presence again.” Mimi ordered sternly. “You have at no time been and never will be, freaks to anyone in our family. Is this understood?” She looked from one to the other until she received a nod of affirmation from each.

“Mimi, throws a mean right hook.” Ricky said rubbing his cheek.

Everyone in the room burst out laughing. I tried to speak but was laughing so hard I found it hard to articulate anything. I finally got myself under control and said. “Ok we have the plan laid out. Remember not a word to your older brother. Right now he cannot figure out he is being manipulated in any way. Can I count on you two?”

“Yes.” They both replied in unison.

I knew they had to know what was going on with the plan before we implemented it. But I wondered if they knew just how hard it would be for them remaining behind as the protectors of the human race.