Colony Chapter Seventeen

Withdrawal chapter of work in progress by Iris Carden

On the television screen Zaratins standing outside in a park, laying down weapons, as a light beam from above enveloped them and they vanished.

“This is Claire Moody, reporting,” the familiar voice said.

“I honestly thought she was dead, after her last broadcast,” Maria said. 

“Zaratins have surrendered all over Brisbane, and I have reports from other state capitals that the same thing is happening there. While the space craft they landed in were destroyed by rebels, another craft has come to help them leave.  A Zaratin official has told me a woman named Angela James was part of negotiating their departure.  She was also a leader among the rebels responsible for the major bomb blasts in Brisbane, working in conjunction with military forces.”

“I think that was actually a team effort,” Angela said.

“Take the credit, some of us would have died without you,” Adam said.

“I think the credit should go to Barry,” Mary said.  “It was his bunker that saved everything, because he knew this was all going to happen.  He knew, and Angela had him locked in that horrible place.”

“A pity he didn’t know to get cat,” Maria said.

“Now this is all over, how soon are you all getting out of my house?” Edward said.

“As soon as we can find a safe place to live,” Martha said.  “We wouldn’t dream of imposing on your hospitality a moment longer than absolutely necessary.”

“But that might take a while, because there’s a lot of rebuilding to do,” Adam added.

Claire’s report had moved to showing images of soldiers cheering, patting each other on the back, generally celebrating.

She spoke about the Australian and New Zealand forces’ fight to take the city from the invaders.

Luci walked in front of the screen.  Angela picked him up and kissed the top of his head.  “We all know who the real hero is,” she said. 

Please note: these chapters are the very raw first draft, what appears in the final book may be different. The working title has changed from Survival to Colony, as has the draft cover art, and they may or may not change again before I finish writing the book..

This is the final chapter of this first draft of the story. I’ll try to come up with something new for next week, but can’t guarantee it.

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