Ghosts of Machina Chapter 12

Being in a confined area was not her idea of fun.

Being under “protection” was also not her idea of fun.

Being unable to ride horses was NOT fun period.

Alas for Maya West this was what she had to get used to after the attempt on her life. Being stuck somewhere for her “own good”. She had not thought it would be this bad when it was decided but now she was bored to death and wanted nothing more then to go home.

Or to go where Andy was.

I hope he’s okay…. The thought of her boyfriend made her homesick even more. She loved him dearly, even if he could get on her nerves sometimes. Or worry her. But that was Andy.
It was stressful as well, her parents were able to see her but due to things going on outside it wasn’t often. If there wasn’t someone with her, she was alone. The spies of course had work, they couldn’t play entertainer to a human. They did check in on her, but usually for brief times.

“I wanna go home.” She sighed curling up on her bed looking at the clock. “I wanna go back to school.”


“You actually wanna go back to school? Who are you and what have you done with Maya?”

She sat up quickly to see a familiar red race car drive in. Her eyes lit up as she jumped off her bed practically throwing herself onto his hood.

“LIGHTNING!” She squealed nuzzling him. “Oh gosh you have no idea how happy I am to see you. Where’ve you been!?”

“Just doing some digging, nothing big.” He said nuzzling her back. “They told me you were driving yourself up the wall in here. Thought it’s high time you got more then the birds to listen to.”

“What birds?” She asked as they both laughed. The girl stood up sitting on her bed. “How is everyone?”

“They’re doing their best, they send their love.” Lightning replied taking a look around the room. “Man, they do not know how to keep you guys busy.”

“I got what’s in my backpack,  my laptop, some books and my cassette player. That’s about it. The TV only has like five channels.” Maya rolled her eyes. “It’s SO fun...Not.”

He chuckled a bit. “Well good thing I stopped by then.”

“You gonna bust me outta here?”

“Sadly no, but I figure you needed someone besides the spies checkin’ in on ya...And I heard from Propwash.”

She perked up. “Yeah? How is everyone?” She asked.

“Andy’s fine before ya ask, he’s given Dust a near engine attack over wandering off but he’s doing fine...They found one of the missing people.” He explained, as she leaned forward listening. He updated her on the rest of what he knew, and told her about something’s going on in town.

“And then Gabby started screaming because someone had dirtied up her office. Never heard that woman shriek that loud.”

“You’re the one who did it didn’t ya?”

“...I’m not denying nor owning up to it.” He glanced side to side trying to look sneaky. Maya burst out laughing.

“You are SUCH a dork!” She laughed falling backwards.

“I’m a dork but I’m YOUR dork!” He did a pose.

She just laughed harder. Lightning chuckled glad to see the girl having at least some fun.

“Alright so this tape player of yours. What do you got on it?”

“Lots of stuff.” She dug through her backpack pulling it out along with several tapes. “What ya in the mood to listen to?”

“Hm… Depends on what you got. None of that Justin something or other stuff right?”

“No way in heck! I’d never live it down!”

“Well then pick something.”

Maya shook her head before selecting a tape and inserting it. “I’m surprised you’re not using the new human sized ipods and stuff.”

“That’s for rich folk.” The girl scoffed before pressing play.

They listened as a song started up. Maya leaned back closing her eyes focusing on the words.

“A jungle hung with tangled vines, in the darkness is the light, I’m tangled up in my own lines, in the darkness is the light...A creature there in darkness lies...Why is it that he has my eyes? I live my life in one straight line, the future ahead and the past behind! Now I hit a wall like I never knew, and they tell me the only way out is through the air!”

Huh… Kind of reminds me of her….

Lightning watched the girl as she gradually relaxed, a small smile on her face. “That’s a good look for ya.”

“H-huh?”

“Being able to relax...Smile.”

She grinned sheepishly. “Heh… Well I got a reason to smile right now…”

“Oh?” The car asked.

“You.”

“Maya…” He was touched. She got up and brought her arms around him, having to lean over a little to do so. “Love you kiddo…”

“Love you too…”

Like having a little sister…. He thought nuzzling her. “You’re gonna be safe… No matter what. I promise.”

“I trust you…” Maya murmured looking up at him. Lightning smiled.

“Little sis.”

“Big brother.”

Eventually Maya wound up drifting off huddled close against Lightning’s side. He didn’t mind… She was able to relax finally. That’s all that mattered right now for him.


I may not be a spy, or a soldier… But I promise I’ll protect you…

No matter what it takes.
------------

Meanwhile at Piston Peak Air Attack, something was brewing.

The firefighters were resting, more specifically the human firefighters. They didn’t hear someone cut their fire alarm in their hangar.

Nor did they hear the strike of a match.

They did smell the smoke though.

When they realized what was happening the doorway was blocked by flames. “Oh my gosh…” Declan murmured covering his mouth with his shirt as he backed up. “They’re trying to roast us alive…”

Olly growled a bit and grabbed one of the axes. “Get your gear, let’s get outta here!”

The others nodded as they quickly began hitting at a wall that wasn’t engulfed in flames.

“AGAIN!” Olly yelled coughing as the smoke filled the hangar.

THWACK!

“ONE MORE TIME!”

THWACK!

The wall gradually had a crack forming. Olly swung his axe as hard as he could.

A hole was punched through, he struck it again until it was big enough to crawl through. “GO! GO! GO!” He yelled at his team as they hurried to get out.

“What about you?” Declan asked as he waited for the second to last firefighter to get out.

“I’ll be fine. Now go!”

He nodded and crawled out, shuddering a bit as the cold night air hit him.

The others started banging on hangar doors, Blade flying in from a late night patrol saw the fire and growled. “No...Not this time.”

He radioed the others to be ready, as he went in for a drop, letting loose fire retardant.

The hangar was unstable, it creaked and groaned.

“Olly!” Declan yelled moving to go in. “OLLY-”

Olly moved to run out, when everything started falling around him. He screamed as the debri covered him, trapping him.

“Oh no...Not one of our own! Dynamite! Get started on removing the debri, Maru! Get the shop ready, let’s get him out of here!” Blade commanded as he hoisted away a large beam from the rubble.

The humans nodded to one another as they joined their comrades in trying to release Olly from the debri that entombed him.

Hailey watched from behind another hangar, tears running down her face. “Olly no…”

“He’ll be okay…” Nick whispered, unseen by all at the moment. “Just let them do their thing.”

Soon enough he was heard coughing. Declan reached in, grasping his arm as he and another firefighter named Cadin helped pull him out. Olly was hacking up a storm from the smoke he inhaled, covered in cuts and bruises. Cadin put his mask over his mouth letting him get some fresh air.

“Thanks…” Olly whispered as he caught his breath.

“Hey…. We’re not lettin’ ya get on the Wall yet…”

He nodded coughing a bit more, he looked around. “E-everyone...Okay?”

“Yeah…Blade swooped in like the freaking Bat-plane with fire retardant.”

The brunette looked up and grinned. “Thanks.”

“Anytime...Declan, Cadin get him to Maru.”

“Sir yes sir!”

As they helped their friend to the hangar, Dynamite and her team got to work on getting rid of the smoldering rubble.

“How did we not hear the alarms?” She wondered aloud.

Drip pulled out the half melted remains of the alarm. “Well...I’m no Maru… But looks like someone cut the wire.”

Blade growled looking at it. “Whoever did this… Is going to pay.”

Dynamite nodded. “I say… We’re gonna need to take more measures.”

“I’ll ensure it.”

---

The next day, the Smokejumpers got to work on putting up barriers around the base, wire, logs, it would be hard to get passed it if you wanted to sneak onto base.

Declan growled a bit watching. “Great… We get a bird cage.”

“I’d rather a bird cage than a coffin, now stuff it.”  Maru said as he passed carrying supplies. “I don’t see you helping!”

“Ugh…” He grumbled before getting to work, he didn’t like it, but it was a matter of safety.

I just wonder how far it’s gonna go….


Hailey frowned as she watched them work. It was getting scary now, she didn’t like it. It had been so safe before, now they were all worried. Wondering how far it would go. So far no casualties.

“Hailey?”

She turned around to see Dipper giving her a worried look. “You okay sweetie?” She asked.

“...I’m scared.” Hailey replied lowering her head. “This is my fault…”

“Don’t say that.” Dipper came closer to her nuzzling her gently. “Never your fault. Do not blame yourself.”

“But-”

“I mean it… You’ve proven that you're a survivor… Keep proving that. Okay?”

Hailey tried to put on a brave face. “O-okay.”

Dipper smiled reassuringly. “That’s our little Spitfire.”

“Hee… Hey where’s Blade?”

“He’s helping the Smokejumpers and Windlifter put up barricades. He should be back soon though… Maru’s been trying to get him to come in for a tune up, but he’s been putting it off.” Dipper rolled her eyes. “Boys… So stubborn.”

“They really are.” Hailey giggled a bit.  “Thanks Dipper.”

“Anytime.”

Hailey nodded. “I’m gonna go wait for ‘em. Bye!” She ran off waving over her shoulder.


Dipper shook her head a bit. “She’s a good kid…” Wish we could keep ‘er….

Hailey made herself comfortable inside the shop. She glanced over to one of the cots and frowned seeing Olly asleep. He was bandaged up and doing better than he was but it was still upsetting to see.

She went over and grabbed one of her stuffed toys off of her own cot and laid it next to him. “You can keep him…” She whispered. “He’ll keep bad dreams away.” The toy in question a toy dolphin. She went back over to her own cot and made herself comfortable yawning a bit.

When Blade returned a few hours later, he smiled seeing her curled up asleep hugging a toy helicopter. He went over to her and nuzzled her gently.

“Sleep well…”

“Alright Blade, c’mere…”

Blade cringed a bit. Can’t avoid Maru….

----

Later that evening, Hailey was asleep curled up on her cot, not too far away was Blade, Maru keeping him overnight, claiming he wanted to make sure the chief didn’t go nailing himself to the wall during the night.

More like, wants to make sure that I do get some sleep… He thought as he started to drift off.

But it wasn’t long before the sound of someone whimpering woke him up. “Hm…?” He opened his eyes and turned, Hailey was halfway on her cot and halfway off whimpering, sounding like she was trying to speak but couldn’t. “Hailey?” He rolled closer nudging her gently to get her back onto her bed.

The little girl thrashed around. “D-d-daddy!” She screamed in her sleep, tears escaping.

“Hailey! Hailey wake up!”

She let out a sharp gasp as she woke up, looking up at the helicopter fear in her eyes. He was going to ask what happened when she launched herself off her bed and onto his nose holding on, crying hard.

His gaze softened as he carefully moved back a bit as to not drop her. “Shh...It’s okay…”

“I was dyin’...And I was alone…” She sobbed looking up tears running down her face, the dull light from the moon illuminating that she was covered in a cold sweat as well. “I was scared…”

“Oh Hailey..” Blade gently eased her down to the floor as she huddled close to him shaking like a leaf. “It’s alright… You’re alive… You’re healthy… Your not sick anymore nor are you hurt…” He whispered nuzzling her, trying to calm her down.

Hailey cuddled close sniffling a bit as she wiped her tears away. “Pro-promise?”

“Of course…” He murmured. She calmed down a little. “There we go…”

“I don’t wanna go to bed…”

Blade hummed in thought, it was quiet for now...If they were careful it should be fine. He opened up his side door. “Get your pillow, blanket and whatever else you’ll need and climb in.”

Hailey blinked and did so, making herself a little nest as she huddled down. “Comfy?”

“Ahuh...But what are we doin’?”

He closed the door so she wouldn’t fall out as he moved rolling to his favorite cliffside. “I think you’re overdue for a dose of this.” He said moving to the side as he slid his door open again.

She let out a little gasp as she looked out, to see the forest below, the moon shining above them. “Whoa...Pretty!”

“Still as you remembered Little Spitfire?”

“Ahuh! Thanks!” She yawned a bit laying down cuddling a plush helicopter close to her. Blade smiled to himself, he knew she was just trying to be stubborn, and a change of scenery might do the trick as far as getting her to sleep went.

“You don’t have to sleep...But close your eyes, and try to relax okay?” He asked her.

She nodded yawning as she closed her eyes listening to the sounds around her.

Blade gently moved, rocking her gently, careful not to let her fall out, moving away from the cliff to do so to prevent it. Nice and easy….She’s already exhausted…

He hummed a bit, Hailey curled up starting to drift, the rocking, the humming and the cool night breeze lulled her to sleep in a short time, quiet snores escaping her. Blade stopped when he heard it and smiled bringing her back to the hangar settling down. He didn’t dare move her, he didn’t want to wake her up...And he didn’t mind her keeping close.

“Goodnight little one…” He whispered.

He soon drifted off.

------------


For Andy all was not well. He was in his room looking out his window, scared to turn away. It was dark and the moonlight seemed so faint, it didn’t illuminate what he really wished it would. He could make out eyes, and a shape similar to a sedan. He couldn’t tell if it was black or if it was just that dark out.

He could hear the sounds of other engines revving, he didn’t dare lean out. He looked away for a second when Olivia came into the room and let out a gasp.

He turned back and jumped seeing the face of a black sedan looking in at them. Olivia backed up behind her brother. “A-Andy?”

“Come with us Hayes...If you don’t want your hanger burnt down.”

Andy’s eyes went wide before he turned to Olivia. “Go to mom and dad’s room-”

“No I’m comin-”

“If you come with me I’ll never talk to you again!” He regretted saying that instantly as tears welled up in her eyes. “Go to mom and dad’s room...Go sleep with them tonight...I’ll be fine. Tell no one.”

Tearfully and full of fear for her sibling Olivia backed up. “Don’t die…”

“I’ll be fine…” He waited until she was gone before turning to the car. “I’m coming...Just don’t do anything crazy…”

“You have two minutes.”

Andy moved quickly grabbing his sneakers putting them on and rolling down his pant leg to get his landing gear to go back into it’s slot. He climbed out the window as the car moved out of the way.

“There. I’m unarmed even.” Mistake.

He realized there was three cars there, they started leading him towards the woods in a silent procession. Andy between two cars, he couldn’t run for it without getting attention.

And his family...Goodness he didn’t want anything to happen to them.

He narrowed his eyes, trying to steel his nerves and his thoughts.

I’m probably going to die….

...I never got to say goodbye….

But….

He was shoved hard as he fell to his hands and knees in the middle of a clearing. He shook looking up as the cars drove around him in a slow circle, like wolves sizing up their prey.

“You’ve destroyed the balance.” One said.

“You’ve brought your pathetic species to light.”

“Waste our resources.”

“Useless…”

Andy gritted his teeth to keep from saying what he wanted to say. “What are you gonna do to me?” He asked instead of screaming that there was no choice. That he had to do something or they’d just be in another boat.

They came around him revving their engines at once.

“Remember Reese?”

The boy felt a shiver of fear go through him and couldn’t help the sob escape his throat as he realized, this really was it. Everything was for nothing.

I’m gonna die tonight…

Mom...Dad...Olivia...Dusty...Dottie......Maya...Everyone…

You tried.

I’m so sorry.

But you can’t protect me...I can’t be saved… He closed his eyes as he shook. He heard the engines come closer and closer.

Before he knew it, pain went through every system.

He couldn’t tell his own screaming from the sounds of engines that rammed into his body again and again.

“AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH!!!!!!!!!”

Before he knew it, it was over….He felt wet...He tasted blood in his mouth. He guessed he had blood covering him as well.

The cars drove off, leaving him there in the dark. Andy breathed heavily gasping as he tried to roll over, crying out. Everything hurt all over.

“Someone…” He groaned. “Help…”

He tried dragging himself forward, crying out.

It hurts… Dots danced in front of his vision. He was cold, shaking.

Mom….Dad….

The moon above was the last thing he saw.