They ran and they ran fast, getting back in the vehicles and taking off for the base. The drivers weren’t part of their escort group and had stayed on the vehicles and took off as soon as the bloody remains of the group came running. Behind them were several dozen of the lizard people riding what looked like two footed, scale and fur covered beasts. Laz didn’t have a lot of time to observe them since they would be back shortly and the base needed to be ready.

Laz arrived back in the main hall and took off for the command room where the urgent messages were already coming in.

"Disaster..."

"Dead..."

"Being pursued..."

"Prepare for attack..."

"Heading straight to boats...."

The captain and the gathered members of the base looked on in horror to the footage that was being streamed back through the cameras on the crawlers. The attackers were striking at the vehicles while they rode, their beasts much more suited to the snow pursuit. Even though the crawlers were faster, they had to make adjustments constantly while on the run to avoid shifts in the ice and snow. During the straights, they were able to get ahead but that never lasted long. Even worse, the men huddled inside had no way to strike back at the lizard creatures who were attacking them. They seemed to use abilities like magic that struck at the iron hulls with fire, ice and even lightning. When they got close enough, some of the riders smashed the crawlers with swords that tore apart the panels. While the chosen inside tried to resist, there weren’t windows that could be opened to attack from and the windchill at the speeds they were going at could cause frostbite in seconds.

It was chaos from both the ones being chased and the ones on the other side of the link back in headquarters as reinforcements were being called upon to meet them at the beach harbor were the boats were currently anchored. These two massive battleships still had full crews waiting on them as it took a full crew to man these ice breaking monsters, but they were all normal people and there was arguments about how effective they would be at stopping the hoards of riders coming their way.

As for the crew at the station, no one was telling them anything now nor making any sort of suggestion to them. As far as everyone was concerned, they weren’t the issue.

Saanvi looked at Shelly, Jun, Anton, Sven and the captain and asked the question on everyone’s mind. She hadn’t noticed Laz arrive as he hung back to see what they were going to do.

"What are we going to do?" Her gaze lingered on the captain with this question as he was the only one who could give them an answer.

"If we leave now, we might make it to the ships before they depart..." the captain said, although he looked unsure. They had their own transport crawler, but it wasn’t nearly as robust as the military grade ones the other group had, theirs being designed for hauling huge loads in light to moderate weather. It wasn’t suppose to be out in heavy snow like what was out their now.

Sven and Jun shot the idea down as soon as he said it.

"That heavy piece of junk couldn’t outrun those creatures even if you put rockets on it. It’s designed for transport, not travel."

"That’s even assuming we could get it moving. The heavy snow out there would make even that old diesel a hard one to start. Beside, it would need at least half a hour to warm up so that the block doesn’t crack and leave us stranded while we were driving."

"There are a few weapons locked up in storage. We should get those out and get ready..." The captain said as he took a glance at the monitors that showed the position of the chosen’s group. They would pass by the base in about half an hour. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Are they really not going to stop for us?" Dr. Anton asked, gripping Sven’s hand tightly.

"No. They are heading right to the boats in hopes that they can provide covering fire so that they can get on board safely. As for us? We aren’t their problem..." The captain responded, looking for the first time like a tired man with a heavy responsibility. He had tried to talk to command, but his line had been turned off as they had only been concerned with the chosen.

Saanvi turned to look at Shelly and Jun before turning to the captain.

"There is one other choice..." Saanvi said to the man.

"And what’s that?" He asked, sitting down heavily.

"Let’s ask Laz for help..."

The captain looked surprised before laughing a little and shaking his head.

"Look. I know, ok? I know he’s one of the infected and everything. I got the update when I had them check on his info. I have no idea why those chosen didn’t arrest him while they were here, but they had their orders. Either way, those same chosen are now fleeing for their lives. Those super humans are running after having been slaughtered like sheep and you want me to ask the boy for help? Even if he wants to and forgives me for turning him in, would he be any help? We don’t even know what those things are out there other than what they communications said and from what they were saying, those things are nightmares. How exactly is that boy suppose to fight those nightmares?" Captain James asked with a half hearted laugh.

"I would start with please," Laz said turning the corner and making himself known.

"Start the diesel, warm the vehicle and prepare to leave the first chance to get. Make for the harbor as soon as you can," Laz said, smiling slightly.

"We will never be able to outrun them..." Sven said, wondering if Laz had missed that part.

"Don’t worry. At that point, they won’t be chasing you. They won’t even give a damn about you..."

"Will the ships even let us on?" Dr. Anton asked.

"Those battle ships? No. But they won’t be around much longer anyway. By the time you get to the harbor, there should be more ships there. Even if their aren’t, it will be safer if you wait over there," Laz responded, smiling at the doctor.

"Thanks for saving me doc, in case I didn’t say so earlier."

Dr. Anton look at the smile Laz was giving him and had a horrible feeling.

"Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?" Saanvi asked, walking forward and standing right in front of Laz.

"Because it will be best if I disappear after this whole thing is over. Here, take this. Once you’re back, you should be able to open it. You’ll find what you three need in here," Laz said, handing Saanvi a spatial bracelet. He had several still stored in his ring from before and they contained a lot more space than his old pouch, although he still hung on to it for sentimental reasons.

A loud, booming and ground shaking roar sounded out, making the entire base shake as things were thrown everywhere. Everyone ran back to the command room as urgent messages were being yelled back and forth.

"Ship one sunk. Ship two on fire."

"Massive flying beast."

"Everyone dead."

"Send help."

"Make for the base..."

Everyone was shocked for a minute before they all began talking at once, except for Laz.

Captain James finally got everyone to calm down as he tried to make sense of the last message.

"The chosen have diverted their course and are coming here."

"Base, come in. Prepare for a hostile attack. Meet us outside and prepare for battle," came Oliver’s panicked voice.

"What do we do?" the captain finally asked and turned to Laz.

"They are about ten minutes out. You’ve got five minutes to get your stuff together, only essential survival gear, and get to the hanger. Once there, stay there, warm the crawler and leave the moment that everything quiets down," Laz said as he made for the kitchen to grab some leftovers. He wasn’t sure how long this was going to take, but he wanted some more of Sven’s cooking and it looked like this was going to be his last chance to get some.

"Where are you going?" The captain asked.

"Food."

"Food?"

...

Five minutes later they met in the hanger. Jun had been faster than all of them and had already started the old diesel. Luckily, the hanger had a massive exhaust system that meant they were in no danger of dying due to the fumes.

They were all dressed in their heavy coats and had only packed one or two bags a piece which easily fitted inside the iron monster.

"Like I said, wait till it’s quiet and don’t stop until you hit the harbor. It should be pretty easy to find since the fires will burn there for quite a while," Laz instructed them.

"What was that sound that shook us earlier," Sven asked Laz who seemed to know everything.

"You wouldn’t believe me if I told you," Laz said with a half smile and shook the man’s big hand.

"Try me?" Sven shot back.

"Dragon." Laz then turned to the others and shook the doctors hand, thanking him again.

"I’m sorry... about calling them..."

"They would have been here anyway for the gate. Besides, who knew if I was a danger or not? Technically you didn’t do anything wrong... but you do come off kind of creepy so you should work on that," Laz said, shaking the captain’s hand.

Jun then rushed forward and kissed Laz deeply before turning away and running back to do final checks on the crawler, earning a surprised look from the three men.

Shelly then walked up and kissed him deeply as well before going back to ’help’ Jun, her face bright red. The look of shock on the three men’s faces made them look like a strange horror painting.

Saanvi then walked forward and kissed Laz as well before pulling away, slapping him and then pulling him back for another kiss. When she broke away, she said,

"If I never see you again, you’d better remember me more often than those other two, otherwise I’ll make you regret it in the after life." Saanvi then turned away and boarded the vehicle. Turning back, she then asked Laz,

"So what will you be doing?"

Sven, captain James and Dr. Anton looked like were on the verge of collapse as Laz responded back.

"I’m going to go fight the fucking dragon!"