by Tony Corden
“T: I suggest we move a little slower. Kimtora and I have become dependent on your abilities. This will be a good opportunity for us to reacquaint ourselves with travelling through a hostile environment.”
Once Takobi had passed the message on to Kimtora, Leah moved at a slower trot up toward the empty houses. Over the next few hours, the streets they travelled became wider with larger homes and less open land. The route Leah led them on doubled the distance travelled, but they’d only had to deal with Ja’ mar twice. Leah was about to step between the next two houses when she felt Takobi waving a hand behind her to get her attention.
She stopped and waited as the others came up beside her. Takobi pointed ahead of her and to the right as he said, “T: Loud noises are coming from that direction. It sounds like dozens of Ja’ mar all howling or screaming with lots of banging and hissing.”
Leah nodded before turning and heading in the direction Takobi had pointed. He waved her to a stop again and said, “T: That’s where the noise is coming from.”
“I know. I want to see what has the Ja’ mar all excited. From what Jamaree said, they only get worked up by hanji or by those who are alive. If it was hanji, they’d be moving away. I suspect they’ve cornered someone who’s alive. I’d rather see what they’re like in a group of a hundred or so than having to face a group of several million.”
Takobi said nothing but dropped back to talk with Kimtora. Leah continued in the direction Takobi had indicated but moved slower to minimise any chance of noise. After five or so minutes, she began to sense the Ja’ mar. There were close to a hundred Ja’ mar surrounding what to her resembled a two-story medium-sized home. It looked to be made of some type of brick with a porch across the front. All the lower story windows were boarded over with planks of dark wood, and the Ja’ mar were using their hands and teeth to tear at the boards. Some of those with prosthetic limbs were using them to try and break through the bricks. At the edges of Leah’s range, she could sense another fifteen or so Ja’ mar approaching with one of the groups coming up behind her and the two Pyranthians.
Leah ducked in front of a house and moved to intercept the group of three coming behind. After miming to Takobi her plans, she waited silently at the corner near where they would walk and tried not even to breathe. Leah waited as the first two, who were focussed on the mob, passed her, then timing her attack, swung her arm with a knife to catch the third in the eye. As she did Takobi and Kimtora stepped forward and killed the other two. With nothing else coming their way, Leah moved closer to the disturbance until she could feel what was inside the house.
Stopping just out of direct view of the Ja’ mar Leah asked Three to broadcast her voice even softer than usual and said, “It looks like there are four Ma’nav in the house. Three are adult-sized, and one is what I imagine would be a child. They’ve a barrier across the stairs and are huddled on the upper story.”
“T: What would Ma’nav be doing outside the sanctuary?”
“No idea. I imagine either Jamaree doesn’t know everything or she purposefully kept some things secret.”
Just then, one of the boards on a window came loose, and the Ja’ mar became even more frantic to get inside. Leah could see several who tore the skin off their hands trying to climb through the hole and several were trampled as others tried to get high enough to climb through the opening. Fortunately, it wasn’t large enough, and after several attempts, the Ja’ mar began attacking the other boards to pull them away. Although Leah couldn’t hear it, the noise increased, and many of the Ja’ mar began to hiss frantically as they whipped themselves into a frenzy.
All of the Ja’ mar had cuts with open or infected wounds. Many were missing body parts including ears, noses and digits and most had broken and torn horns above their eyes. Leah was about to move when another board came loose. This was on a different window, but it increased the frenzy of the Ja’ mar, giving them strength for a third to come loose.
“T: Yuwata, there was a scream from inside the house.”
“So?”
“T: So, what is your plan? I doubt you will let a child die even if it is a Ma’nav.”
“Why would the fact that they are Ma’nav make any difference?”
“T: To many, it would change the equation, and you know this is true. Why do you hesitate?”
“My plan is kind of crazy.”
“T: Good, I expected nothing less. Besides, I suspect there is no sane way to do this.”
Leah stared at him for a moment then said, “You and Kimtora hide. I’ll draw most of the Ja’ mar away. You kill the rest and help those in the house, then either come and find me or I’ll circle around and bring those who are still following back here to you.”
“T: Which way will you go?”
“I’ll head back the way we came as I know the terrain.”
“T: So do I. Allow me to be the distraction.”
“No. One is enough for a distraction and you may need two here. I can’t talk with Kimtora, whereas you can. Now, hurry up and hide before they break in.”
Leah didn’t wait to see if Takobi obeyed but stepped out into the street and walked toward the Ja’ mar. Asking Three to magnify her voice, she yelled as she began to fire the disc-throwing pistols at the Ja’ mar. “Loathsome creatures, you vex me with your unwholesome cries and your maggot-infested suppurations. Forget the few who in great disquiet hide themselves from both your insanitary appearance and your malignant disposition. Instead, follow me and I will grant you a more certain peace than you might otherwise find in this inhospitable and barren wasteland.”
Most of the Ja’ mar turned at the sound, and many began shuffling, walking and running in Leah’s direction. Some of these were healthier than those she’d met outside the city, and she was somewhat surprised at the speed with which they approached her. One in particular outpaced the others—he was at least a head taller than Leah, and although he had a gaping chest wound, his legs and arms were whole. He drew back his lips and opened his mouth as he ran. It seemed he almost dislocated his jaw as he began hissing and screaming at her.
Leah fired several discs at the creature and knew she’d hit him several times, but he hadn’t slowed at all. When he was less than two paces away, she fired at his forehead before throwing herself to the left in a diving roll that brought her back to her feet and started running away from where Takobi and Kimtora were.
As she ran, she could sense the creature crash into the ground behind her. She was still ten paces from the next closest Ja’ mar, and she took the time to make a spinning jump as she ran. As she faced the approaching Ja’ mar, she fired several more discs. She was rewarded with two more of the Ja’ mar crashing to the earth only to see them run over by the Ja’ mar who were following.
As she landed, she continued to run back the way they’d come. She hoped to get far enough ahead of them to have the opportunity either to hide or to take out the leaders. Instead, she discovered that even those who’d started the chase at a stumble were beginning to make ground. The frenzy she’d seen at the house was nothing compared to the screams, hisses and sheer aggression of those who followed her. It was a frenzy that let the diseased and mutilated undead move faster than she would have thought possible. Leah could no longer feel the house with the Ma’nav, but it looked liked she’d pulled at least eighty of the Ja’ mar after her. The closest was only eight paces behind her and the furthest just beyond her range.
Leah cut across a road and along the front of a house. As she passed the far corner, she slowed slightly and turned sharply to her right and then braking, brought her sword around horizontally to remove the head of the lead Ja’ mar. Knowing exactly where the next one was, Leah didn’t wait but started running again. The new lead Ja’ mar was now only five paces behind, but she’d whittled another from the pack that followed.
The noise of the hissing and screaming Ja’ mar attracted those further out and Leah soon had to change direction to account for those approaching from her fr
ont. Time and time again she managed to kill, maim or slow down the leading Ja’ mar only to find another took its place. Every now and then she would get fifteen or twenty paces ahead and then she’d turn to fire at the creatures, or if one outpaced the others, she’d use her sword to kill it.
Twenty minutes after the chase began, Leah slowly curved to her right and brought the entire mob in a large semi-circle several hundred paces in diameter then headed back toward Takobi. As soon as they were headed back, Leah decided to stop killing the Ja’ mar and tried to lose them. She discovered that although she increased her lead slightly, the Ja’ mar gradually increased their pace as well. Then, when she slowed, they didn’t copy her but continued at the faster pace.
Inwardly cursing whoever programmed the Ja’ mar, she resumed her sprint. By the time she could sense the house, Takobi, Kimtora and two Ma’nav standing with them, the eighty Ja’ mar had grown to over a hundred and twenty. They were spread out over three hundred paces in a line behind her. Typing a message for Takobi wasn’t easy as she ran, and several times Three had to check or autocorrect what she was saying. Still, as she approached, she yelled, “We have to make a stand.”
47
December 26 2073 - 2
PNEUMATICA - GRAH
Takobi said nothing but started firing at the Ja’ mar fifteen or so paces behind Leah. As Leah passed Takobi, she turned, leaving her now empty pistols in the holsters, and unsheathed her two swords. Even though she was still breathing hard, she waded back and into the approaching Ja’ mar. Slashing, ducking and weaving she killed the first three without taking any damage but then the main part of the mob arrived. She received a slash from a claw as she removed the head from one of the undead. It wasn’t severe, but Three displayed a graph on Leah’s forehead. It showed that some statistic had dropped from full to about ninety-five per cent.
Three tried to type out what it meant, but Leah was so involved in trying to escape the teeth and claws of the Ja’ mar that she ignored the small pressures on her finger. Both Kimtora and Takobi had fully loaded weapons, as did the two Ma’nav. Even so, within minutes all five were reduced to using edged weapons. Takobi, Kimora and Leah bore the brunt of the attack, but the two Ma’nav did their part. After ten minutes, all the Ja’ mar that had been following were dead, and the statistic had dropped to ten per cent.
As the last creature died, Leah looked over at Takobi with a grin then asked Three, “What was the graph of?”
“3: Your spirit. The Ja’ mar can steal it from you when they manage to cut into your flesh and draw blood. I was not allowed to speak of it until you were below one hundred per cent.”
“Does it regenerate?”
“3: You should be back at full strength regarding spirit in three hours. It also regenerates while you are not playing on Grah.”
Leah thanked Three then turned to Takobi, who said, “T: I thought you were going to kill some of them. Instead, you went to gather more.”
Leah explained what happened and the actions of the Ja’ mar. When she’d finished, Takobi said, “T: So, run away slowly.”
Leah felt it as one of the Ma’nav standing nearby moved slightly. They must have made a small noise for Takobi said, “T: I am sorry, Commodore Charlotte, this is Buforns. He is the leader of the small group who were caught inside the house. They belong to a community of Ma’nav who live outside the sanctuary. They exist in what Jamaree has called the wasteland. Buforns and his sister, Niraldee, volunteered to stand with us while his wife and child returned to their hideaway.”
Turning to the two Ma’nav, Leah said, “Greetings Buforns, Niraldee, thank you for your help. I do apologise for returning with so many but I had not expected them to keep up with me. Next time we will know simply to stand and give them peace.”
“B: It is a pleasure to meet you, Commodore Charlotte. I did not believe you would still be alive after being hunted for so long by the Ja’ mar. I would correct this brave Pyranthian if I may. The Ja’ mar will continue to grow in energy, speed, and health while on a hunt. Many of those at the boundary to the sanctuary have regained full health and vitality as they rage against the hanji barrier. The number of healthy Ja’ mar continues to grow despite the weapons employed against them. Those with full health could even outpace your fastest runner if they were whipped into a frenzy.”
“N: I also am pleased to meet you, Commodore Charlotte. Takobi explained why you are here, and I am astonished that you made it this far while travelling through the wasteland. Even those of us who live out here only make very short sojourns on the surface.”
“We have been cautious. If I might be somewhat bold, I was wondering how you speak my language.”
“B: We of the Resistance have found that this language is the only one which our different races can speak. Neither the Julgon, nor you humans, can hear the frequencies common to our language and we are unable to form the different sounds used by the Julgon. Those similar to Takobi can learn all. For simplicity, we have chosen the most primitive language as it is something all can speak and understand.”
Leah wasn’t sure how to respond when Takobi interrupted, “T: We’ve been invited to spend the night underground with the Resistance. Apparently, they are made up not only of the Ma’nav but also Pyranthians and a smattering of Julgon. There are even some from your primitive race.”
“B: Before we go, it would be useful to harvest from the Ja’ mar their mechanical upgrades. We of the Resistance use these to manufacture that which we need. Most of what is here is useful. I would suggest it will be helpful for trade should you decide to join us. If we hurry, we might be able to gather some before more Ja’ mar arrive.”
“There are none within a hundred paces.”
Buforns and Niraldee looked at each other, but Takobi and then Kimtora began moving through the pile of dead Ju’mar and carving the mechanical arms and legs from their bodies and then harvesting other prosthetics like eyes, ears as well as any weapons. Before they were half-finished, Leah felt three shuffling Ja’ mar approaching. As she moved in their direction, she said, “Three Ja’ mar. Don’t worry, I’ll get them.”
“B: Commodore, we should go. Their cries will call the others.”
Without turning to look at him, she said, “Please call me Charlotte and don’t worry, they won’t make any noise.”
Five minutes later Leah returned dragging eight prosthetic limbs and a variety of other mechanicals, both clockwork and hydraulic. As she approached, Takobi said, “T: I thought there were three.”
“There were, but I passed some of the ones I’d killed before. It seemed a waste to pass up the opportunity.”
When they’d finished harvesting, Leah wondered how they would carry everything when Buforns and Niraldee brought out some square metallic cubes which unfolded into large wire carts. Once these were loaded, the five headed in the direction of the sanctuary for two hundred paces before Buforns led them past a decrepit and run-down house. Leah had been searching ahead and had noticed two Ma’nav and one human waiting inside the home. The three had what looked like rifles aimed at her and the two Pyranthians.
Stopping, she said, “Buforns, Niraldee, I understand the need for secrecy, but I do not have time for additional intrigue and secrecy. I suspect those in this house are keeping watch for the sake of security but I do not like having armed people I do not know at my back. In fact, I become quite piqued when they have weapons aimed at me and my friends. Please tell them to point their weapons elsewhere, or I might become truly vexed.”
“B: I apologise Charlotte, but this is necessary for our safety. You are not known, and although I will vouch for you, this must be upheld by our leadership.”
“Buforns, I understand the need for security. I would hope you take care to keep out those individuals who by their words, actions or demeanour might bring harm to your community. However, with all due deference, and knowing it might be considered somewhat discourteous, let me reiterate the need for your watchers to point the
ir weapons elsewhere. I will not enter your stronghold at the end of a gun after risking our lives to save yours.”
“N: Charlotte, please understand that if you do not submit then even though we would be full of sorrow that such brave souls should be harmed, they will capture or kill you. You may not leave knowing where we live, even obliquely. Please let us continue. We must be quick.”
“Niraldee, I am willing to be tested, but I will not be led at gunpoint into your hideout. You should decide soon for there are more Ja’mar approaching. I suspect you should inform the guards to aim accurately for should I, or my companions, fail to be killed immediately, the Ja’mar will hear us and swarm.”
Buforns stared at Leah for a moment then waved his hand in a swirling motion. The two Ma’nav lowered their weapons, but the human kept hers aimed at Leah.
“That was helpful Buforns, now please be so kind as to tell the human to lower her rifle also.”
Buforns made the motion a second time with some added feeling. The woman slowly lowered her rifle and Leah nodded before taking a step in the direction Buforns had been heading. Leah said, “Buforns, the house you want is fifty or so metres in that direction. Three Ma’nav are waiting, and the tunnel is open. We should hurry.”
Buforns shook his head and hurried to the house Leah had indicated. Leah could feel the three Ma’nav in the house and the start of a tunnel leading deeper underground. Her senses were then blocked by something in the ground. After he checked all around, Buforns pulled the wagon toward the open front door. When he arrived, he hurriedly began to unload everything into the open doorway.
“B: Charlotte, how long until the Ja’ mar arrive?”
“It seems they have changed direction, Buforns. You have no need to hurry anymore so please take every care lest you damage something of great worth.”
“N: You lied.”
“On the contrary, I am certain that Ja’ mar approach this location constantly. That they were not close enough to detect does not invalidate my speech in any sense. I assure you that if they had not lowered their weapons, I would have made enough noise to attract the Ja’ mar.”
