TOMMY - EARLY THE NEXT MORNING

Dar, Pina, Kira and I are all getting ready to head out to try and intercept the attackers. The others will set up a ways out from the grounds, but not nearly as far as we're going. Zedd comes up to me and I sigh inwardly, knowing what he's going to say.

"Thomas, love, please let me go with you - or at least go instead of you."

"No, mate. You can't communicate with the animals like Pina and I can in case we need to get a message back here. Plus at least one of us has to be on the back lines with the kids."

I can see something in his eyes that I can't decipher. "I'll remind you, Thomas, that I was a high ranking general."

I look him square in the eyes. "Kalleimat, I swear I have good reasons for this. Please trust me."

His eyes search my face for a long minute before he reluctantly answers. "I do trust you, love, but it bothers me that you won't share more of your reasons other than the communication."

"Zedd - if enough of them get past us, you are the only one with enough power to stop them."

I've got him and he knows it. He also knows what else I'm not saying - if the rest of us don't make it, he's our last chance. Never mind my other reasons that he hasn't figured out yet. He curses softly and walks away. I can feel how unhappy he is, but he knows I'm right. I hug and kiss my children, afraid that this may very well be the last time I see them - or worse, see them alive. I go over to Zedd, unsure what his reaction now will be.

I feel the bond as I approach him, noting that he seems to have reverted to an emotional state similar to when we first bonded. Aloof, but not quite cold. I move to give him a kiss and hug, but he shakes his head. "There will be plenty of time for that later, Thomas. Get going so we can get this over with and go home." More than a little hurt that he refused me, I take a step back. Softly, he says, "I can't right now, Thomas. If I do, I won't be able to do this - at all."

Oh. I square my shoulders and turn away resolutely. "See you soon, mate."

The four of us head out. Kira is the loudest of us, but she's not bad. She manages to make most of her noises sound like animals in the brush. Although I do have to say that I'm extremely impressed with Goldar. In spite of his size, he's almost as silent as Pina and if I couldn't see her, I wouldn't even be sure she's with us.

It's really not all that long before Kira and I take the high ground, so to speak. Her Zord being a flyer and my spirit animal being airborn as well - we actually do much better in the trees, making good time and having better visibility. It actually takes longer than I thought to get to the invaders. They're barely heading out. With some quick hand signals, we communicate a plan. In a moment, we've all morphed and are ready.

Goldar and Scorpina make their way around behind the group, while Kira and I wait in our perches for the time being. I watch the group closely. Fortunately, they're heading slightly north of our position, putting the two of us at the edge of the group. A few more gestures to Kira and we separate, I'm heading more toward the front of this side while she's heading across to the opposite side of the group. Once I'm in position, I look for the others. I'm pleased that the only reason I can find them at all is because I know where they're supposed to be.

Scorpina and Goldar start picking off the rear guard and the stragglers at the back while Kira and I deal with some side scouts. She and I are more likely to be seen than the other pair, but that will give them the advantage of surprise once the alert has be raised. Unfortunately, it happens quicker than I'd hoped. Roughly half of the forces stay behind while the others make a break for the grounds. Quickly, I instruct the falcon that's been hanging around to alert the others before giving a shrill whistle. The four raptors join us and the fight is well and truly on.