It was something to keep her occupied while he handled the incoming.
He knew that.
And he was pretty sure she knew it.
But he did not want her in the heat of the fight that was about to come their way.
Inbound.
The scan showedthe direction they were coming in. Knowing the tunnels the way he did, he knew he could cut them off before reaching the medical bay. Keeping her safe and he would be able to stop the impending attack.
"Lock this behind me," he said.
She nodded. "I have it."
Down the corridor, he ran. As quiet as he could be, he moved through the halls. Where they'd gotten in, he didn't know. He thought the entire installation was secured.
As he moved through, he was coming up behind them. Light shined where there shouldn’t be light.
He got closer.
And realized that they'd somehow drilled through the rock into the tunnels.
Evidently, their scanners were not as affected by the eclipse as his were.
Sand on the ground showed the footprints. And there were plenty, more than four sets, in any case. He stayed away from the light, just in case there were any traps. But he would be sure he had all the information--especially since it looked like there were more than just the initial four sets of prints in the sand and debris.
The tracks also showed which direction they headed.
He didn't have far to go to find them. He came upon a group of Charro mercs and Terrans.
"And when we find her?"
"As ordered," the Terran said. "We kill her."
A Charro chuckled. "You Terrans are fierce. Kill the children of your leader?"
"When the leader orders it, you do it," one replied.
Jedriek gritted his teeth. They were there to kill the princesses. Well, not during his protocol. He closed in behind them and grabbed the closest one. Slammed his head into the wall. He fell to the ground, no longer a threat.
The others heard, which Jedriek expected.
They came at him.
He pulled a blaster off the Terran he'd just slammed into the wall and started shooting. Manifesting a shield to protect himself as he fired, he held his ground. As long as they were here, then they were not attacking Eleanor.
They came at him, one tried to ambush him from behind, but he failed. Even the tallest Terran did not come close to being taller than he was.
And he could see the few Charro just stood there.
One started to come toward him, but another Charro tapped him on the arm, told him to wait.
Jedriek didn't care who it was. He fought. It didn't take long to hit some shots and end the Terran offensive.
Interestingly, the Charro never did come at him.
"Waiting?" Jedriek asked, staring at the one Charro, who seemed to be a leader of sorts. At least over the Charro.
