I have not had a single nightmare since that fateful, decisive day in Bayonne. Now, months later, I stand between two continents on the other side of the globe, in an unfamiliar jungle.

I spent weeks training with the others to soar in the balloons. When Julius told us the flying machines had been defeated, that the balloons were humanity's last hope, I was ready. My life is nothing compared to the chance to join my comrades and attack those who would destroy us.

I would rather that Will and I had gone in a balloon together, by each other's side. To share the same fate, whatever it may be. But each balloon needs to be as light as possible to carry more explosive, so it has to be that each balloon holds one person only.

In the end, it didn't matter. Five days ago, I made the most painful choice of my life when I told the others I couldn't go with them. I would sacrifice my life a thousand times for them and for my world...but the one thing I cannot sacrifice is the tiny life now growing inside me. I wept so hard, and so bitterly, that I could not take part in this final attack.

But the others understood both my anguish and my joy. They were happy for me, and a substitute just as eager to attack the enemy took my place. The number of bombs we are sending is not diminished.

Now I stand next to Beanpole, watching the balloons launch, one by one. The fate of all humanity will be decided within the hour, by this group of heroes. Our entire planet lives or dies, right now. Will and I have said our farewells. We look at each other as his balloon rises. Then he nods and turns from me, toward his destination.

Then it is Henry's turn. He smiles at me and Beanpole. I smile back, and wave. I do my best to ignore the chill of foreboding which ripples over me.

Henry lets go of the Earth, and turns away from us to sail into the sky.

The End