Destin's Hold (The Alliance #5)(2)

He crossed through the garden to the far gate. Punching the security code into the panel, Destin waited while the lock disengaged before he quietly slipped through. He made sure the gate was closed and the security system engaged before he turned along the path that led down to the beach. Both Razor and Kali had warned him to stay on the marked paths. He had understood why after his arrival. From the air he had gotten a brief glimpse of one of the wild animals that inhabited the planet. Destin was very glad the paths were secured against creatures like that.

The Trivators believed in living in harmony with the other creatures on the planet. They used only the areas they needed to live and kept large sections of green space. Most of the creatures were fairly harmless, but there were a few that were extremely dangerous – to both the Trivators and their enemies. Invaders would first face the dangers of the forests if they wanted to land outside of the protected cities.

The roads and walkways were kept safe by specially placed security markers embedded into the paths. The markers were programmed with the animals’ DNA. The embedded sensors detected when an animal approached the marked areas and a shield formed to stop the creatures from entering the path.

Destin didn’t understand all the specifics; he just knew that he didn’t want to tangle with that creature he’d glimpsed from the air. The long tusks, six legs, and massive scaly body were formidable enough from a distance. He really did not want a closer look and was very happy that most travel on the planet was done by air.

The city he had seen upon his arrival had been magnificent. Large spiraling towers glittered with muted lights while transports moved both along the ground and flew through the air. The tower on the far end spilled water from the top of the building in a dazzling waterfall back into the Trivator-created reflection pond. Several of the transports had disappeared under the reflection pool and reappeared on the other side. The more he had seen, the more his excitement had grown at the possibilities for Earth.

He paused at the top of the stone steps carved into the side of the cliff and looked out over the vast ocean. The sun wasn’t up yet, but there was enough light on the horizon for him to see the waves break on the outer reef. He stood still, appreciating the beauty and peacefulness of his surroundings.

Destin couldn’t remember the last time he had stopped to appreciate the beauty of anything. Death, destruction, fear, and responsibility had been his constant companion for as long as he could remember. He drew in a deep breath and released it.

No longer would that kind of destruction dominate his life. The Trivators’ first contact had plunged the Earth into a panicked chaos, but in the past two years, he had begun to see a change back home. Progress was being made to heal the wounds. For him, the most important indication that life was getting better was seeing his sister Kali’s glowing face and the living proof that there was hope for the future in his beautiful niece.

He had originally been reluctant to come, but Kali’s quiet plea, and Tim’s, his second-in-command, assurances that the work Destin had done to restore a new Chicago would be carefully monitored by the team he had built had convinced him that he needed the break. That reassurance, combined with his recent brush with death, had reminded him of what was important – family. He felt like if he ever wanted a chance to see Kali again, and meet his niece, he’d better rearrange his priorities. Until last night, he had been convinced he had made the right decision. Now, he wasn’t so sure after hearing what happened on another alien world called Dises V.

Destin shook his head at his musings. No, even with what he knew now, he was still glad he had come to visit. Seeing Kali again and meeting Ami had given him a renewed purpose to return to Earth and fight for a better life for others.

Focusing on the stone path in front of him, he started down the stairs. He needed a good run to help clear his mind. He might as well enjoy the last few days he had here while he could. Once he returned to Earth, there was a city to rebuild and a lot of fires to put out, among other possible threats.

At the bottom, his feet sunk into the powdered, snow-white sand and he took off at a brisk pace down the long narrow beach beside the looming cliffs. For a brief while, he was able to lose himself in the enjoyment of his surroundings and replace thoughts of his nightmares with dreams of something better – dreams of rebuilding his city and maybe, just maybe, finding someone to share it with.



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An hour later, Destin walked back along the beach. Sweat soaked his shirt and he pulled it off. There was a secluded cove further down the beach that he had discovered on his second day on the planet. He would take a quick swim before heading back to Kali and Razor’s house.

If he was lucky, Ami would be awake and waiting for him. His fourteen-month-old niece had taken a shine to him. It might have been all the toys he had brought that put the hero worship in her eyes, but Destin didn’t care. He had planned a new gift for each day of his stay. Mabel, one of the grandmotherly women that had been with the rebellion from the beginning, had suggested it.

Destin crossed the empty beach and entered the hole in the rocks carved by centuries of wind and water. The narrow cut glistened with natural crystals found in the rocks. Lifting his left hand, he ran the tips of his fingers along them. The crystals lit up under his touch. He would love to take some back to Earth with him so he could study them.