Sarah7

Ch17

Sarah gathered up the child and launched herself backward with all the strength she could muster. She shot backward as the air filled with small, sharp stones that cut into Sarah’s arms and back painfully. She cried out in pain and fear. Suddenly she found herself caught carefully in Max’s claws and moving rapidly backwards down the shuddering tunnel. She heard the metallic ring as larger stones crashed into Max’s shoulders.

“Max!” She cried.

It could only have been moment but Sarah was suddenly blinded by the now brilliant light of the outside. Max staggered backward and collapsed on the ground, still holding Sarah above the ground with machine precision.

Bruised, bleeding, and aching all over, Sarah unfolded herself and fell out of Max’s grip with a thud. She immediately realized that she was surrounded by dumbstruck villagers. She looked down and saw that the little girl she has been protecting was relatively unharmed, if not completely coated in pitch black dust. Her eyes fluttered open and looked into Sarah’s.

Sarah’s heart leapt within her chest and she burst out crying and laughing at the same time - a decidedly new emotion to add to the list.

The crowd around her cheered and several hands came to lift the little girl from her arms.

“Look! It’s Jerle’s girl, Karie!” Someone in the crowd exclaimed. Sarah felt herself also lifted up by powerful but gentle arms. She caught glimpses of men and women’s faces - not holding fear or worry this time, but open gratitude and something Sarah had not seen before. People were smiling at her, and not thinking about her as a stranger or freak, but as someone who had just saved a life.

If this was what it was like to be a hero, Sarah thought, I just might grow to like it.

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Creed glared at Sarah, his arms crossed in from of him and his mouth in a downturned frown.

“You could have gotten yourself killed, Sarah. ”

She was looking over Max’s frame for damage. His armor was heavily scratched and dented.

“I have sustained minimal damage to my right arm, and superficial damage to my outer armor. I am initialing self repair protocol. Estimated repair time, 4 hours and 30 minutes. ” Max intoned. Sarah could have sworn she detected a hint of chagrin in his voice.

“I guess that’s your way of saying you’re going to be ok?” Sarah asked.

“Yes. I am - ok.” Max replied, as his head angled to face Sarah.

Sarah had only gained a few more cuts and scratches herself, though her whole body ached, and she had a huge headache from a bump on the head by a larger rock.

They were standing in a grassy field behind one of the large buildings at the edge of the village, not too far from the mine. People were traveling along a dirt road on one side , the road acting as a sort of highway between this village and the next much smaller one several miles away.

Amil appeared from around the building and ambled up to Creed and Sarah.

“How is the little girl, Amil?” Sarah asked as he came within earshot.

“She’ll be ok. She was pretty banged up, and was suffering from shock, but with a lot of rest she’ll be fine. That was a pretty brave thing you did Sarah.”

She blushed slightly and looked down at the ground, at a loss for words.

“Brave, and stupid. You will not do anyone any good if you get yourself killed. You are no ordinary person, Sarah.” Creed grumbled.

Her face fell. “Thanks for reminding me Creed. I had forgotten for a few moments that I’m a genetic freak.”

He looked chagrined. “I didn’t mean it that way Sarah. You are no freak, but you are special. You could do a lot of good in this world…”

“Isn’t that what I was doing? Good?” Her anger flared. Anger and other emotions welled up within her, threatening to bring tears in her eyes.

Amil stepped in. “Listen Sarah, I heard as I was coming here that some important people were coming here to see you. I don’t think you want them to see you fighting do you?”

“I guess not” Sarah muttered.

Creed mumbled an apology and made a show of walking over to the mech to inspect the damage.

“I think you owe this hunk of junk your life. Max, your reflexes were excellent.” Creed said.

Sarah was embarrassed to realize that she had not thanked Max herself. Was she starting to take him for granted already?

“Oh Max, I sorry I didn’t thank you before. Thank you so much for getting us out of there so quickly.” She hastily said.

“Sarah, it is my primary directive to protect you. I was only doing what I was created to do.” Max looked away, as if staring off into the distance. “This time” he whispered.

Before Sarah could ask him about his cryptic statement a number of people appeared at the end of the field and made their way to where Sarah and the others were standing,

“Hello” a man said. He looked older, with greying brown hair but with a strong face and confident air. “I am Garen, the leader of this village. I came here with Karie’s parents. We wanted to thank you personally.”

A weathered man and a very tired looking woman with hair the color of straw stepped forward. Sarah could tell that the woman had been crying, by her eyes. The woman stood back for a moment, looking at Sarah with a gentle smile, then abruptly took Sarah in her arms and hugged her fiercely.

Sarah was so surprised she just stood there, then a memory came to her, unbidden. She was standing on a windy cliff, near the ocean. The woman from her previous memory was there. The woman was older now, as she was herself in the memory. The woman gave her a hug as well, and touched her cheek gently. “I’m so proud of you Sarah. And I’m going to miss you so.” There were tears running down the woman’s face.

With a gasp, Sarah7 came back to herself. The little girl’s mother was talking.

“You gave me my baby back. I don’t know how to repay you. But when I heard about you… who you are - ” Sarah flinched. Not again. “I remember my grandmother was also a member of the crew. Of your ship. She kept this picture, and I think you might like it. It’s not much, but it seems right to give it to you.”

The woman handed Sarah a framed photograph. It was of a young woman standing with a group of soldiers. Her arm was raised in a fist. Above her were the words ’Sarah Cannae, savior of the human race.”

Sarah bit her lip. It was a picture of Sarah. The Real Sarah.

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