Battle for Earth (44 page)

It was probably only five or ten minutes before the Starfighter finally stabilized and he brought it under control, though it felt like forever. Johnny forced himself to return to the scene of the explosion, but not even the tiniest piece of wreckage remained.
There was nothing left. The comm. system crackled into life with the sound of surviving human voices, freed from Krun control. Miss Harutunian was still alive and started taking charge. There were some whoops and cheers. In his cramped cockpit, Johnny sat in silence.

“She likes you,” said Johnny.

Mrs. Irvine was kneeling on the grass in Castle Dudbury Memorial Park, holding Rusty's face just far enough away to keep the red setter's eager tongue out of reach of her horn-rimmed spectacles. “The feeling's mutual, Jonathan. Ben Halader House wouldn't feel right without a dog walking its corridors, annoying Mr. Wilkins. And with Bentley leaving us …”

Her voice trailed off, carried away on a blustery wind. It was raining too. Johnny stood beside the Manager, soaking up the conditions. He would miss the wind and the rain—you didn't get those on the garden deck of the
Spirit of London
. Sol had reported in a few hours ago to say that her repairs were complete.

“If you insist on leaving, I still don't understand why you don't take her with you.”

“I promised,” said Johnny.

“This Louise … Rusty's mum—you say it was she who saved Earth?”

“The whole planet,” Johnny replied. It was still hard to think about what had happened. As his eyes watered, he was glad of the rain on his cheeks.

“I know I can't follow in her footsteps, Rusty, but I'll do my best to look after you.” Mrs. Irvine gave the red setter a pat on
the head before, taking Johnny's arm, she pulled herself to her feet.

“You'll do fine,” he said.

“If Earth's safe, then why do you have to go, Jonathan? Your parents wanted me to look after you if anything happened. I know you've been through a lot, but you're still a boy. I could insist.”

“No, you couldn't,” said Johnny. He turned to the gray-haired Scot, looking her square in the eye.

“Well, I daresay you're right, but I don't like it. And now we're out of danger …”

“Earth's only safe for now,” said Johnny. “And it's better off without me. There's a being out there—pure evil. He's taking over the galaxy and no one's able to stop him. And I don't know why, but he hates me more than anything else in the universe. Earth will never be properly safe while I'm here.” Johnny started to walk toward Halader House. Speaking of the Nameless One reminded him that time was short. It would never have crossed his mind to hide away here in this little backwater of the galaxy. Louise had been right about that—it wasn't his nature. Most of his soccer team, ordinary friends from school, were now gone. Nicky had been snatched from him. Ophia had suffered her terrible fate on Melania. Worst of all, Louise was dead too. He and Clara were the only ones who could make things right, make the galaxy a better place. He was determined to do that, or at least die trying. There was no point putting it off any longer.

Mrs. Irvine started after him, her tartan umbrella battling the gusts of wind. Rusty came too, pottering along behind, until the red setter spotted a llama in the park's petting zoo and bounded away, barking loudly. Johnny stopped, marveling that the red setter could adjust so quickly, smiling at the dog's ordinary, innocent fun.

“But where will you go?” asked the Manager, drawing alongside.

“We're looking for somewhere called Lysentia,” said Johnny.

“And you know where this place is?” said Mrs. Irvine.

Johnny laughed. “Sadly no, but we'll find it—and, if we're really lucky, we'll find Nicky along the way.”

“It's a big galaxy out there,” said Mrs. Irvine, “but if you're as lucky as your father, you'll find whatever your heart desires.”

“Yeah? It didn't do him much good, did it?” said Johnny.

“He found love, Jonathan. True love with your mother.”

Johnny shook his head and started walking again. Love hadn't held his family together or kept Louise alive. He was nearing the boundary of the park. Across the busy road was the railway station and, facing it, connected via a gray parking lot that mirrored the current color of the sky, was his children's home. He really wouldn't miss that. He lifted the wristcom to his mouth and said, “Clara, it's me. I think it's time to be going.”

“I'll just say my goodbyes,” she replied. “Then I'll pick you up.”

Underneath Halader House was a hive of activity. The small sickbay was overflowing, so Dr. Carrington had arrived to set up a field hospital in the main underground area, very capably assisted by Alf. The artificial sun that beamed down on the makeshift beds seemed to aid the healing process. Since the doctor turned up, Clara had been spending most of the time in the garden she'd built beside St. Catharine's. That was where she was now. Johnny understood. He could see Carrington had done an amazing job with some of the casualties, but Johnny didn't much care for the man. The Krun parasites, the moth-like creatures that had wormed their way into everyone's brains, had shriveled and died once the Queen was killed. They'd been
removed and collected for later inspection. Johnny had wanted them destroyed, but Dr. Carrington insisted on keeping them to examine properly.

Miss Harutunian was in charge of search and rescue, running around-the-clock missions in the
Piccadilly
, following up signals from escape pods in the hunt for possible survivors. It had been two days since anyone had been brought back alive and, although no one had yet said it out loud, Johnny knew everyone believed this small group was all that remained of Earth's briefly impressive defense fleet. The air of despondency worked wonders for Mr. Wilkins and, especially, the cook's mother.

None of the Atlantean fighters remained intact. The Krun had only left them alone because they were too badly damaged to take inside the Queen—it had been a challenge even to land them safely. Professor Bond, who was apparently fully conscious throughout his time in the batter cocoon, was already working on salvaging bits and pieces.

The list of those missing in action was long. It included Dave Spedding, Micky Elliot and Simon Bakewell from the soccer team, and Spencer Mitchell, who Johnny had always thought of as indestructible. Colonel Hartman was on the list too. It could have been so different if she'd done the right thing and the
Spirit of London
had remained in the battle. Louise, and so many of the others, wouldn't have had to die. Johnny hated the colonel for it. He had been worried about Corporation people being stationed in Halader House, but it was clear that most of them looked up to Miss Harutunian. The social worker had once been a respected figure in their organization, but lost out to Hartman in a power struggle.

After the battle, Johnny had brought Clara to see the place their mom built. She'd tripled the size of the facility, identifying fabulous new areas previously hidden in hyperspace. Johnny
would never have spotted them—he didn't have his sister's gift—but she always left it to him to unfold them, opening them up for public use. After what he'd done to save her in the middle of the battle, Johnny felt closer to his sister than ever. Almost before she entered the main hall he thought he'd sensed her arrival. Bentley beside her, she made her way over.

With no patients currently in need, Alf, the object of much fascination, had retreated behind a copy of
The Times
newspaper and was attempting the day's crossword. Johnny, Clara and Bentley went across to collect him and were joined by Mrs. Irvine. The farewells were beginning.

“Thank you, Alf, for all the help you've given us here at Ben Halader House,” she said. “It's very much appreciated.”

“What did you say?” asked the android, surprisingly animated. It wasn't the reaction anyone had been expecting and Mrs. Irvine took a step back.

“I'm sorry,” said the Manager. “I didn't mean to offend you.” She looked to the others for help.

“Alf,” said Clara. Johnny thought she might be about to kick the android.

“What did you say?” Alf repeated.

“I … I just said I was grateful for all your help.” Johnny had never seen the Manager so flustered.

“No, the other bit,” said the android.

“That was it,” said Mrs. Irvine. “Really.”

“But did you not say, ‘Ben Halader House'?” Alf took a step forward, matched by one back on the part of the Manager. The android went on, “Johnny always calls this place ‘Halader House.' This is very important.”

Johnny felt his face turning red.

“Of course I'm aware most people shorten it nowadays,” said Mrs. Irvine, regaining her composure and giving Johnny a sideways look of disapproval, “but the correct title is indeed
‘Ben Halader House.' Although quite who Ben Halader was—”

“But that is it!” said Alf, practically skipping with delight. “Do you not see?”

Bentley had started barking. Johnny looked at Clara, who shrugged. Perhaps she was wondering the same thing as he was, whether the android had fully recovered from his power drain the week before.

“The name is an anagram,” said Alf.

“My word—I'd never considered that,” said Mrs. Irvine, stepping forward, almost as excited as the android.

“Rearrange the letters,” said Alf, “and it makes ‘Horsehead Nebula.'”

“Where's that?” Clara asked.

Johnny rolled his eyes. Its shape had always made it one of his favorite astronomical features. “Its proper name's Barnard 33 …” Johnny broke off, appalled at his own stupidity, and looked at the children's home Manager, who continued the sentence.

“… and Ben Halader House lies at 33 Barnard Way.”

“And was created by Johnny and Clara's mother and father?” said Alf.

“Indeed,” said Mrs. Irvine, nodding. “I had to move here all the way from Glasgow.”

“Then our destination is clear,” said the android. “The search for Lysentia will begin in the Horsehead Nebula. I rather think we should get going.”

The goodbyes were over. Johnny was sure that Bentley knew he was saying farewell to Rusty. The Old English sheepdog, Clara and Alf had already gone topside and were now waiting in the
Piccadilly
. Johnny felt almost traitorous, leaving the few
surviving members of the soccer team behind. He'd changed their lives forever, and was now walking out on them. Finally, Miss Harutunian was leading him along the corridor to the elevator shaft that would emerge in the telephone booth in front of the station. Johnny thought he knew what was coming.

“No,” he said to the red-haired American.

“No, what?” she replied, folding her arms.

“You have to stay here,” said Johnny. “You can't come with us.”

“That's cruel. A taste of honey's worse than none at all, Johnny. You know as well as I do that those Starfighters will never fly again.”

“You're needed here,” he said. “The Corporation people listen to you.”

“But I want to be there.”

“I know,” he said. “I'm sorry.”

For a while the American didn't speak, as if hoping Johnny would break the silence and change his mind. Memories from their time together floated into his mind. It was a shame he'd not discovered their shared love of space sooner, but that might have made it even harder to stay firm. Finally she said, “Promise me you'll come back and say hi.”

“No more promises,” said Johnny. He saw tears begin to well up in his old social worker's eyes. “So long,” he said. It was the best he could offer.

“So long, Johnny.”

He entered the elevator and, just seconds later, found himself sitting in a red double-decker bus, turning invisible as, for perhaps the final time, he flew over Ben Halader House.