She quickly waved the flame toward the sound. Her heart flipped as the reflection of two glaring red eyes pierced her soul.
Sliding to a stop, Caru tried to murmur, but the words escaping her lips trembled. “That better not be a muclone?”
Zo gently tugged her. “Stop worrying. They’re in cages. I wouldn’t let anything hurt you.”
He must think I’m a sissy. She drew a deep breath. Stop being such a chicken!
Puffing out her chest, she continued forward. A few minutes later, her guide slowed to a halt. “We’re here.”
Caru sighed. “About time.”
He swung the light to his right. Stacked boulders housed a small room of sorts.
Looking from side to side, she motioned with her hand. “Just go! Let’s get off this stupid deathtrap.”
After strolling through the entrance, Zo dropped his backpack and stuck his torch in a steel bracket.
Caru set four quivers filled with reapers against the stony wall. “Why in the world did you have to take us the center of the Earth?”
The flame’s reflection danced across his eyes as he peered at her. “Kree’s been missing, and I don’t need the clan drumming up stories. Anyway, what do you got to show me?”
She unlatched her belt-pack and rummaged among the contents. “Here’s a jar of gooey stuff I made with mushroom spores. Have your archers smear this on their arrowheads before going to battle. This stuff reacts like acid to the alien’s flesh. I left the recipe on the outside of the jar for Jrok to use when harvesting her mushrooms.”
“Good. She’s working with a Uke I hadn’t heard of before.”
“Yes, my Uncle Drew. Believe it or not, he’s from Texas.”
“I wouldn’t think someone from such a hot territory would want to live up here.”
“I’m not sure he wanted to, but he and my Auntie Mercy fell in love and got married.”
Her friend’s brow wrinkled. “How did they meet?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain it when we’ve got more time to chat.”
“Fine, but why was he chosen to work with Jrok? I’m surprised someone from so far away would know much about mushrooms.”
“Peppers! He knows everything you need to know about peppers.”
A look of dismay crossed Zo’s face. “You know what? Why don’t you explain that one later, too. Let’s focus on our task.”
Caru chuckled. “Good idea.”
Grabbing a reaper with yellow feathers, she pointed at a groove behind the arrowhead. “See this, I’ve hollowed out part of the shaft. Here are the dimensions.”
She handed him a piece of paper covered with her scribbles. “I’ve also included directions on how to install these modified arrowheads with spring-loaded injectors.”
Caru tapped the instructions. “These will be used for the different toxins the Texans are devising. Tell your warriors to use a different colored fletching for each of the unique substances. This will help them identify which are most effective.”
She reached into her pack and lifted a container. “I’ve got soft tubes of venom here, and the Texans will provide additional substances when ready.”
Turning, she stared at him. “If you’d like, I could ask Hoot to teach your archers some tricks.”
Zo leaned back with a look of disbelief. “No way! She’s the one who killed my ma and a lot of the clan.”
Caru took his hand. “Believe me, she had no idea what she was doing. She’s learned how to control her anger and focus the powers much more effectively. You don’t have to worry about her. Besides, she’s one of the best archers in Ukkiville.”
Smiling, she lifted one brow. “In fact, she’s the only one who has killed a snatcher, or whatever you call them.”
Zo’s eyes grew wide. “They’re clickers. How did she kill it?”
“She shot three reapers at one time, and two happened to strike both hearts. That’s how we were able to dissect one and identify the exact locations of their hearts. All the computers in our weapons are programmed to lock on those spots when a…,” she smiled, “…clicker is confirmed.”
“You mean arrows, right?”
“Yes, but we call them reapers, as in Grim Reaper if you know what I mean.”
She peered into his eyes again. “I know in your heart you must hate Hoot but don’t blame her. She was only eight at the time, and her kitten and brother were killed right before her. I know she could help.”
“I hear you. I was actually shocked to see how tall she has grown. She’s not a tiny girl anymore. Someday, you’ll have to tell me how she did it.”
The Skalag ruler shut his eyes for a moment as if thinking. “Given what we’re about to face, some lessons wouldn’t hurt.”
He bit his lip. “Go ahead. Ask her if she could start in the next couple of days.”
Caru touched his shoulder. “You won’t regret it. I’ll talk with her and help her understand the situation.”
She pointed at the arrowhead. “Now, let me finish showing you how this contraption works.”
After describing the details of installation and operations, the handsome ruler began stuffing his pack. Caru leaned against the cool rock wall. She couldn’t help but stare at his features, from the scars on his bronze, bald scalp to his bulging pecs and arms. As her gaze slowly inched lower, the warmth of her neck spread to her cheeks.
Her heart pounded so hard she was certain he could hear it. Oh, if I only knew what he thought of me? Just give me a clue. She sighed.
When he lifted his head, she peered into his dark, almost-black eyes. “So, tell me about this woman you’re so concerned about. What did you say her name was?”
He stared back at her as if searching deep into her soul. “Her name is Kree, and she hasn’t been seen since our meeting, three days ago. Gno’s been searching the trail with the drone but hasn’t found a trace. I’m beginning to think the clickers may have killed her, but I’m not sure.”
Trying to appear concerned, Caru lifted his chin with her finger. “Kree looked pretty angry when she took off, but she may still show up. It can take awhile for a woman to get over being jealous.”
Something pricked Caru ears, and she jerked her head toward the trail. “Did you hear that?”
Zo slowly shook his head. “Not a thing. Might be a rat. There’s lots of them in these caves.”
Rats? He never said anything about rats before. Where there’s rodents, there could be snakes. Ewww.
Growing uneasy, she snatched her quivers. “Come on. Let’s get out of here!”
A Minute Later
After the two of them exited the room and disappeared down the dark trail, Kree slowly emerged from the shadows of a massive boulder, not more than ten yards from where the pair had been talking. She waited until the last sounds of their departure ceased.
Paranoid, her eyes darted from one side of the dark abyss to the other. “Can’t believe he took that wench to our spot!”
She scowled as her jugular pounded against her steamy neck. They’ll be sorry.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Birth of Bertha
Two Days Later on October 31, 2105
Outside Ukkiville’s Library
Ominous clouds rolled over Ukkiville as Thoruk walked up the steps of the gray slate building. The morning’s damp air shot an eerie chill through his lungs, sparking memories of the first Skalag battle of 2075, a day of death that plagued many a nightmare since. “Hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.”
Lumbering into the large room decked with rows of bookshelves, he unlatched his moose hide. I still can’t believe we’re about to fight aliens. How’s that even possible?
Whether he believed it or not, his scariest premonitions found their way to reality far too often. Why should this one be any different?
Growing tired of worry, he slipped his heavy coat over a hook on the solid oak wall. He knew all too well he couldn’t shed a hint of his true feelings.
As others ente
red the library, Thoruk greeted his lead scientist. “Hope you got some sleep last night. I know you’re working a lot of late hours.”
“That’s for sure. Didn’t get to bed until midnight.”
“Same here. How’s the perimeter. Is it secure?”
Queasy nodded and plopped in a chair at the end of a large table. “Not a problem. We put Zapper through its most exhaustive test yesterday. Nothing can penetrate the laser grid by ground or air.”
Bending over, Thoruk offered a wry grin. “What about the power? We can’t afford to have Zapper die in the middle of the battle like last time.”
The village’s top engineer shook his head. “You sure know how to hurt a guy.”
Queasy peeked over the top of his wire-rimmed spectacles. “That won’t happen. Like just about everything else, it’s connected to Halo Power. With the redirection of the sun’s energy, our source is virtually unlimited. Zapper could protect us at full-force for hundreds of years.”
“Okay, I get the point.” Thoruk chuckled. “You know, you’re starting to sound a lot like Andralec.”
The scientist’s shot a half-hearted glare. “That’s cruel — even for you.”
Mercy swiped the heavy blue drapes to the side and opened the shutters of the windows before sitting at the table.
After the last of the expected council members removed their coats and settled into their seats, Thoruk strolled to the center of the room and stood. “As most of you know, we’re here to assure that our village is secure and to ready ourselves, in case the perimeter is breached.”
He cocked his head toward his friend. “Queasy assures me that Zapper is full force and ready to go.” The gentleman squeezed his wife’s palm and nodded.
Thoruk turned toward the other end of the table. “Storm, how about you?”
His muscular buddy removed his sunglasses. “We’ve added a few surprises to the armored vehicles to take advantage of Halo Power. They’re ready to go.”
While he spoke, his radiant amber eyes scanned the others. “Hound Dog and I will be taking Terminator to the front-line, while our Master of Arms, here…,” he turned to his right and held Wolfuk’s shoulder, “…will go with Tropokt and set up Slayer at a halfway point. From there, they can quickly return to help protect Ukkiville, if needed.”
After his wife whispered in his ear, Queasy looked up. “What’s the plans for Skeeter? Is he staying here with me, or will he be on the battlefield? I don’t have to remind you, but his abilities are stronger than any of ours.”
“Believe me, I know. He makes sure I don’t forget. Skeeter’s as eager to get on the battlefield and kill snatchers as anyone, but he’s still too young for what we’re about to face. I’d rather he use the powers Andralec taught him to help with the drones from inside the village walls. We’ve also decided it’s best to leave Jaws and the bears behind to help as the last form of protection if things really go bad.” Everybody nodded.
As he sat down, he whisked a strand of straight black hair from his face. “Oh yeah, Hoot left yesterday to help train the Skalag archers.”
Concern shrouded Mercy’s piercing stare. “She didn’t go by herself, did she?”
Storm returned the shades across the bridge of his nose. “Of course not, Miss Worrywart. I sent her new boyfriend for protection.”
Surprise lit her face. “Hoot? She’s got a boyfriend?”
He mumbled. “Unfortunately. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. Hound Dog’s six years older.”
Mercy laughed. “Poor Stormy Boy. You’ll get over it soon enough.”
“Doubtful. Anyway, he’s taking her in Terminator. They’ll be meeting up with some Skalags at the foot of the mountain trail on the west side. Teli’s keeping a watch from the sky.”
Thoruk looked at his lifelong buddy. “I knew I could count on you, and I can only imagine your pain. Don’t worry, Salty’s on the lookout as well. He’s got his most advanced drone monitoring the snatcher activity.”
The Admiral’s Plush Office in Pflugerville, Texas
Salty sat behind a massive mahogany desk, accented with an intricate carving of Trouncer, the first battle-class drone he ever designed. His highly advanced weapon proved instrumental in knocking out Scientokt’s original earthquake inducer in the most recent Skalag battle 12 years earlier. After a drawn-out yawn, he sipped his coffee.
Between the growing concern over the expansion of the aliens and brimming excitement over Bertha, his latest drone-toy, he hadn’t slept a wink. While her moniker wasn’t the sexiest, it was the first to pop in mind, given the size and capabilities of his newest airborne battleship. He dropped the ‘Big’ part of the nickname he’d plucked from a German documentary, so as not to offend his new computer’s personality.
Thoughts of old times spurred the memory of his one and only trip to Ukkiville, in person. After hopping from his drone and walking into Thoruk’s cabin, he knew he had been pranked.
The invitation read ‘Welcome to the Birth of the 22nd Century,’ but everything in the room, from the wood-burning stove to the rustic pine interior screamed 1800s. It was as if a time machine had dumped him into the most primitive of the pioneer days.
He remembered thinking his heart was about to burst until he finally peeked out the back window and found Terminator. Even now, the terrifying vision occasionally crept into his dreams, trapping him within the depth of despair.
Too bad Mercy can’t talk her brother into advancing his village into the 22nd Century. We’re more than happy to help.
A chuckle tickled his throat. He’s as stubborn as The Judge.
He shook his head. Come on, snap out of it! Got too much to do!
Draining the last drop from his mug, Salty stared at the expansive screen hanging from the high ceiling. “Bertha, today’s mission is to locate snatchers in the vicinity of the Skalag caves and to protect them and our Uke friends who are visiting the area. We’re also going to check out Speedy’s new headgear for Brain Meld. Proceed to Airspace 717.”
The subdued, but sexy voice of the drone’s computer responded. “Affirmative.”
Salty watched the view from his drone-toy’s cam as it passed over the village of Ukkiville and sped beside the trees of Porcupine Forest. After months of testing, the thrill of taking his most powerful drone on its first mission sent tingles throughout his body.
He leaned back in his chair and sighed. No matter what the aliens were about to throw at him and his friends, he was prepared to rain Heaven and Earth upon the invaders with everything at his disposal.
The last remnants of autumn’s yellow aspens dotted the lower elevations of Erik the Red Mountains as the drone cleared the southern edge. Bertha’s cordial voice broke through the speakers next to his desk. “Friendly drone in range.”
A green figure depicting Speedy’s identification appeared on the screen. Within seconds, Salty’s most sophisticated battledrone hovered over the western ridge of the mountain range.
He spotted a spec in the sky over the Skalag caves. There he is. “Speedy, it’s time for your break. I’ll keep watch for the remainder of the day.”
“Sounds good. Everything’s quiet so far.” The younger Texan chuckled. “Wow, I see you’re taking your pride-and-joy for a ride. It looks a whole lot bigger up close. Better be careful. The wind has been howlin’ like crazy after that cold front blew through.”
“Thanks for the warning. I wanted to give Bertha a few practice runs before things heat up. We’re gonna need every bit of her firepower for the real battle.”
“You ain’t kidding after hearing what’s going on in China.”
While Salty talked, he stole glimpses of a smaller screen showing the battle near the Great Wall. “Any progress on that shiny thing Zo found in that dead Skalag’s hand?”
“We’ve got engineers trying to figure it out, but they haven’t been able to crack the protective seal. It’s a strange coating, impervious to every tool and chemical they’ve tried so far. They’re working
on it day and night. I’ll let you know as soon as they have something.”
As Salty’s mind churned, he grew impatient. We’ve got hundreds of engineers on site. How can it be that difficult?
He huffed. “Got any good news? How about those toxins?”
“Tiger and Ambush are almost done, Sir. Only a couple tests left.”
“That’s better. Get that stuff up to Ukkiville as fast as you can. Also, they need more drones. Have Ambush send six and prepare the team to operate them from our command center.”
He hesitated a moment. “I hate myself for saying this but send Andralec’s brother up there too.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I wish, but like I said, we’re gonna need all the firepower we can get.”
“Understood. Havoc will be on the first flight out.”
Andralec was pain enough but dealing with both androids at the same time? Well, he wouldn’t wish it on anybody — let alone himself. Salty sighed. I don’t have any other choice.
He looked at Speedy’s image in the corner of his monitor. “Get some rest after you take care of business. Bertha and I will take over.”
“As you say. I’ll be napping on the couch in the office next door. Just bang on the wall if you need me.”
“You can count on it. By the way, you’re doing a great job.” Salty winked.
When his friend’s craft zoomed off, he glanced at the smaller screen again. Several of China’s drones fired lasers at hordes of snatchers racing along the foot of the Great Wall. Many of the aliens collapsed in heaps while others struggled to claw their way forward before bright moletran beams scooped them up and carried them away.
For each one killed or injured, it seemed like three or more replacements were dropped off by additional moletrans. How’s China ever going to keep up?
A dull pain clutched his heart. This is going to be us, shortly. His insulated mug slipped from his grasp and clanked along the tile floor.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
AI Madness
The New World: Crimson Winter Page 17
