"Sniper rifle of some kind," Veta said. "With the right attachments, anything can make a long-distance shot."
"We're going to have to move," Harbin said. "Get out of the open as quick as possible."
Veta shifted and climbed off of Eleanor. "When they say so, you run with everything you have."
Veta shifted back and forth and fired a few shots. As did Wrathin.
"On my mark," Veta said.
"Execute," Wrathin and Harbin said.
"Two. One. Mark!"
They all ran in the general direction they'd been heading before. Up ahead, there were rocks for cover. Something that would help them.
Streaking across the sky flew two Terran Fighters.
"Oh no," Eleanor said. Whoever it was could wipe them out and take down the entire peace treaty with one shot!
She ran harder. The rocky outcroppings were their only hope to avoid being killed.
Harbin was in the lead, with Bianca, Wrathin, and Veta kept to the rear, leaving Eleanor in the middle.
The Terran crafts spun and came back toward them.
Firing.
"Run faster," Veta yelled. "Those fighters weren't designed to hit people on the ground. Their targeting isn't precise enough."
"That sounds like a design flaw," Eleanor said.
"Not the time, Princess," Veta said. "Move!"
So Eleanor ran harder than she'd ever run before.
Explosions blew up all around them. The sand and rock blasted everywhere, so the air burned like smoke and soot and sand. And shrapnel. Eleanor felt every piece hitting her like little bitty bullets. Coughs burned in her chest, but she didn't dare stop for them.
Harbin careened around a corner and shoved Bianca into the protection of the rocks. He came out firing at the ships and toward the location to the north, where the initial shots came in.
A new ship engine echoed.
Another ship that Eleanor recognized without looking.
A Terran transport shuttle.
For a second, she felt relief because a Terran transport shuttle would have been her people coming. A week ago, she would have been thrilled to hear that particular engine sound. Today, however, the sound only meant more attackers.
More people coming with intent to kill her and the rest of the Ambassadors for peace.
She really wanted to tear into her father.
The Terran transport got closer.
And it started firing too, a similar sound in the blasts as the fighters.
The transport turned.
And fired on one of the fighters.
