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As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon, James stretched his arms and cleared his throat. Then, he rubbed his eyes and stood up, thereby waking Sasha, Josh and Astar, as well as their dragon hatchling, and especially Snow. He took a step back and took a head count. Astar, Sasha, Josh, the hatchling and Snow. Everyone was accounted for. " Let's get going, before something else comes after us."

" Agreed!" replied Snow.

James had to herd Sasha and Josh along to get them going. " Keep your eyes open, folks."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. He caught up with Snow and said, " You get the feeling you're being watched?"

" Yeah."

He unsheathed his sword, and Astar jogged to catch up with him and asked, " What is it?"

" It feels like we're being watched."

Suddenly, a white figure and a canine jumped out in front of them. James raised his blade with one hand and put the other in front of the kids while Snow raised a rifle. " What have you done to my father," barked the figure. " Who was he," replied James.

" A white goat. Lived out of a home east of here."

James recognized that description and direction. " He ran out of filters, and scavengers mauled him."

" He had us run. We're trying to get to a fort."

" Lewis. Dad told me. Lower the gun, or I'll sic Zara on you."

Snow deactivated safety on her rifle and shouted, "Duck!"

Before she could open fire, James blocked the barrel with his sword. " Zara!" shouted the goat. " Run!"

James waved his free hand to the side while Snow was cursing in three languages under her breath. The goat urged the wolf to go away and poked James with his rifle. He dropped his sword and threw his arms up. Then, the goat lowered his gun, turned and walked away. When they were gone, he knelt down to grab his sword.

He saw a spark come up from the blade and threw himself backwards. He looked to his left and saw Snow running. He saw her collapse and the wolf size her up. He bolted towards them and barked at Zara the wolf. He stretched his arms out to his sides and went between the two.

He looked at Zara and gazed into the wolf's eyes. Then, he could hear the goat calling, " Zara, come!"

The wolf saw where the kid was and trotted towards him. He looked at James and called, " trying to kill me still?"

James darted his head between the goat and Zara and Snow. " Well, fine way to start off."

" I should shoot you again for hurting Zara."

Snow grunted, sat up and said, " Tell the dog to stay away, I thought he was an attacker!"

" Yeah, and I though you were the dragon's mistress!"

" Er, half dragon."

" I barely know him, I just tag along for the ride."

" Sure."

James took a step away from Snow and asked, " Do you know where we are?"

" Eastern Washington."

" You're joking."

" do I look like I'm joking?"

" Well, not exactly. Any shuttles still in operation around here?"

" Airbase is still somewhat operable."

" Cool."

" Beware. Bandits took it over."

" Oh, great. Just what we needed."

* * * * *

James, Sasha, Astar, Josh and their hatchling dragon stood on a cliff overlooking the remains of the old fort. With them was Snow and the goat. " There's more." " We can go about this three ways: stay here and pick them off, go in guns blazing, or stealth it."

" Wait, looks like someone's coming." Sure enough, there was a small team of trucks heading towards the fort. The one in back sported what looked like a devolved American flag, with only one star and a few stripes. " Ulysses." " Who?"

" You'll see." " Well, what do you say? Guns blazing?"

" No. Ulysses will kill us all." " How do you know?" " I've seen him in action." " Then, we'll sneak in." " Good plan." " Sneak in and steal a shuttle." He stood up, turned around and walked down the hill. As the Scales, Snow and the goat walked down the hill, gunshots and screaming could be heard mixed with explosions. " Well, looks like we might not have to worry about bandits." " Stay close." " Really?" " Shh!" Already, they found uniforms of fallen bandits and soldiers. " Let' use these to get in." As they reached for them, they heard someone close say, " Well well well, visitors." Upon hearing the voice, James yanked his sword from its scabbard throwing it over his shoulder. The man, known as Ulysses, sidesteps, holding an AMR, and an old world flag pole capped with a golden eagle. He wore a duster with the flag etched in it, and a rebreather. James breathed fire on the sand. Then came Astar. Ulysses kicked him between his legs and then kicked him backwards. Upon seeing his son kicked in the crotch, seeing him scream in agony, James swung his sword at Ulysses making a miss. " Everyone get to the shuttle!" Then, the man kicked Astar in the face and elbowed James. " Snow, do something, god damn it!" Then, the wolf, Zara, pounced on Ulysses going for the throat.His armor cracked Zara's teeth. Ulysses stabbed Zara with a combat knife and firing a .50 cal round at Snow. " No!" cried the goat as James ran and got on top of Astar. " What the hell are you?!" " Ulysses: I'm human."

While he was distracted, James went for the neck. He grabbed James by the wrist and jammed a grenade in Snow's jaws. James swatted the grenade before it detonated, weaseled out of his grip and gasped, " Snow, get Astar to the shuttle!" Snow grabbed Aster and ran him to the shuttle. As Astar was carried to the shuttle, James got up and hurdled after. The goat had already gotten inside. " Zara..." " Looks like there's only room for four," stated James. " Sasha, Josh, take the hatchling! Josh, there's someone out there I think you might have relation to, an old friend." " Understood." " Go! Before something happens!" " No, stay with your family. I'll find my own way." " I can handle myself," stated Josh. Josh and Sasha ran, and James watched them run through the window eager to see if they make it. A gunshot rings out, and they could see Sasha struggle. Josh swept her off her feet and ran through the gate. The shuttle's engine could be heard as Josh hid himself and Sasha behind some rocks.

He picked the bullet out of her leg, tore a piece of his shirt off and used that to bandage the wound. " Ulysses is human," stated the goat, " and he's dangerous. " You know what they say about being human." A moment later, the shuttle lifted off. James could see Josh walking out from behind the rocks to watch the shuttle. His eyes could have fooled him, but he thought he could see Josh waving. The hatchling nudged Josh on the leg, and he knelt down and scooped him up. Sasha limped towards him and braced herself on his shoulder as they turned and walked away from the fort.