by Han Yang
In a split second, I had the angle down to slide across the grass.
Clack!
The pinchers snapped high as I went low. The stinger missed by inches, pushing a gust of air to wash over me.
I thought about stabbing into the belly and worried my weapon would become caught. As the tail pushed forward, I hugged the poisonous appendage.
The beast shrieked in a mix of frustration and anger. As quick as the stinger tail darted under the body, it retracted.
My back smacked into the grass, and I held on for the ride, being yanked under the bottom of the beast.
Another opening presented itself for me to jab my spear into the underbelly, but I waited instead.
When the tail rotated out of the shade to shake me free, I went high above the beast. At the pinnacle, I released my grip.
For a second, I free floated over the shuttle-sized monster and that was all the time I needed. I lined up the brain of the creature and fired the tip of the spearhead.
Boom!
The shining point zoomed to the spot between the eyes.
Crack!
The tip dove into the skull, shattering the carapace, and burying into the brain. I triggered the retrieval and let gravity mix with the winding motor of the spear to yank me down.
The top of the creature increased in size, and I picked out where I’d plant my landing - right on the eyeballs.
Squish!
The dune’narock refused to understand that it had died. The staggering beast fought to stay standing. I rode the remaining footsteps until the body crashed to the ground.
With a firm tug my spear plopped free, dripping green goop onto the carapace.
A wailing shriek erupted from the other two dune’narocks. They obviously didn’t expect their buddy to die from a mere human. These creatures also communicated and seemed to rely on each other, meaning the death of one hurt the many.
Instead of letting them attack I leaped off their buddy and sprinted toward the gates. One ran towards the water, the other panicked, squaring off to face me. When I reached fifty yards out, I aimed up, and triggered the firing mechanism.
The spearhead erupted out of the weapon, soaring over the dune’narock, and embedded into the cliff face. I bunched my legs and leaped as high as I could. I triggered the tether motor and used my momentum and the power of the cable to avoid the stinger.
The dune’narock spun, its scorpion tail zooming to embed into my body.
I ordered a full retrieval, plopping the tip out of the cliff. The tail shot forward, not adjusting fast enough as I descended for its face.
I lined up a throw, hurling the spear for the brain casing.
Crack!
This time, I must have hit something extremely vital because the beast collapsed like a switch flipped.
I landed at an angle, rolling across the grass. A grunt escaped my lips when I didn’t deftly land. I could feel my ankle protesting from the impact. I limped forward to retrieve my spear.
My foot ejected a spray of water that collected at some point on my trip to my weapon. When I yanked the weapon free, I felt jarring vibrations as if the very earth quaked. A quick glance over my shoulder showed the puddle I stepped in gyrating waves of water.
The thuds from the shakes cause me to spin. The webo’narock behemoth charged forward, with its immense frame sending trees flying. It paused not far from the clearing. For a brief second, the clack of pincers tried to ward off the immense creature.
The sound ended with an ear-ringing roar and the webo’narock attacked, diving into the forest.
My eardrum ruptured, and I grunted and groaned from the ringing. A few feet away, the shuttle landed with the door slid open.
I quickly darted into the vehicle that burst off the grassy terrain.
I tumbled against the adjacent wall, crashing down while the door locked closed. A very confused Otana stared down at me. A few minutes passed and I just lay there, letting the adrenaline fade and my hearing return.
“Monster,” Otana said on repeat until I could hear her.
I stood, feeling relieved to be off the planet and in the air again. In the clearing below us, the massive webo’narock gobbled down my first kill in a single bite. The other body must have been eaten while I recovered.
Undoubtedly, I’d watch the replay later. If I had to guess, the leviathan left its honey hole to eat the third dune’narock and then stole my kills. Not much I could do about it. The beast literally knocked over trees in its return trip toward the water.
It had all happened so fast. I needed a minute to process.
“He is retreating and well-fed. Those dune’narocks are too fast for him normally, escaping his wrath routinely. With them gone, the area is that much safer, and he will grow even larger with time,” Darcy said.
“I’m pissed,” I said.
“Well, keep your sour attitude in check for a few minutes, I’m landing the shuttle. After you play the emissary, feel free to shout at me. Which I think you will since your account was only awarded over half a million Moon Coins instead of a million,” Darcy said.
“What!?” I blurted. “I sent that thing to the webo’narock. Without my actions, it’d be alive.”
“Debatable. Also, who cares, you said the coins were worthless anyway,” Darcy countered.
I watched the immense body dip below the tree line as the beast returned to its watery home. With a quick tap of my linker, I saw I had two and a half hours left.
“Descending for the gate now, broadcasting Otana calling for help,” Darcy said, and Otana’s harness retracted.
I frowned, dropping my disappointment, and grinning at my achievement. The dune’narocks felt… slow. In comparison to the webo’narock when it burst for a kill, they were snails.
I shook my head at what I witnessed, wondering if skill had won the day for me or luck. Or maybe it was my gear and upgraded body. I let out a tense exhale and said, “I don’t want to leave the ship without assurances this door will open when I approach, and you’ll never tip me out of it again.”
“Done. I’m proud of you,” Darcy said.
“I’m disappointed in you. I’d have come around to driving them off in time,” I said.
“Every minute matters, and speaking of which…”
The door slid open and Otana raced out of the shuttle recklessly.
“Otana!” I boomed and she froze before bawling in tears at being yelled at. “Well shit.” I felt bad for about a second. “Actually, no. You don’t go running away from protection.”
I stormed out of the ship to loom over her like a guardian. She clung to my leg, and I walked toward the gate with her attached just like that.
She stopped crying, having fun not long after. That was the glory of children, easily frightened or amused.
“Come no closer,” an authoritative voice said from behind the gate.
“Easy friend. I just came to return your lost daughter. She is missing a few memories, and she’ll have some chest pain, but she’s alive,” I said.
A scuffle from behind the gate lasted a minute or two.
The thick wooden beams creaked forward on metal hinges and a female voice called out, “Otana! By the glorious god!”
Otana detached from my leg, zooming for the gate. I tensed, readying for an attack that never came as she crossed the distance. The second Otana was in, the gate slammed closed.
“Hello,” I said, standing there like an idiot.
Five minutes transpired while I rewatched the video on my linker. I jumped shorter than I expected and ran slower than in the simulators.
“Darcy, increase my intake,” I said.
“Denied. Maximum muscle mass acceleration already applied,” Darcy replied from the ship.
I turned back to the gate. “I’m going home. Otana will need a larger heart in about three winters. If we survive, she will be more than welcome to receive it. The truth is, she died, but our science brought her back to life and for that, we ar
e grateful. I also fed your pet narock from the lake. You’re welcome,” I said.
I knew they noticed me, hearing hushed conversation at the opposite side of the door.
“What are you?” the male voice asked.
“A son of survivors, born among the stars, returned home to help the species regain the glories it once held. For today, I’m merely a man returning a daughter and fighting narocks who should fear me, instead of thinking of me as prey,” I said in a humble way even if my words were bragging.
“A starborn?” the man asked in confusion.
“Uh, yes. That fits. I’m altered too, but not many of the starborn are like me,” I said and continued with. “Do you know about the humans before the monsters?”
“Of course, we maintain the books from the libraries. The old ways are not lost to us, even if we speak differently,” an older woman said.
“I’m a son of those humans that took to the sky when the Earth descended into darkness. I wish to open trade and dialogue, exchange stories, and help your people survive,” I said, trying my best at diplomacy.
“We will study Otana. If you return and she lives, you will be welcomed inside and properly thanked. We have had instances with other tribes who deceive and trick. We ask for time,” the authoritative male voice said.
“Sounds great. I have narocks to kill and some women to save. I’ll be back and expect a nice meal. Oh, and what do you need more than anything else?” I asked.
“Otana brought a device that works. We have many such items, but none work. We could -”
“Got it. A power-source. Easy fix. Our technology is advanced, but we lack space. I will return shortly and… oh, one last question. The burrowing narocks. How do you keep them out?” I asked.
The hushed voices whispered and eventually the older female voice said, “We pooled human blood into traps and one by one they came until they died. They became extinct not long after the fall of civilization. At least that is how my grandfather told the story.”
“Thank you. If Otana’s tablet runs out of energy, place it in the sun for a few hours. I’ll return shortly and expect a delicious meal in exchange for a power source. Well, a meal and information,” I said, deciding to be direct and upfront.
“Two weeks,” the old woman said.
“Thank you, and tell Otana, no more darting out of doors, she could have gotten hurt. We don’t know her exact last memory, just so you know,” I said and turned.
After I boarded the shuttle, I saw more than a few sets of eyes peer out to watch the shuttle take off for Hope. I waved, seeing fingers moving back.
Once the shuttle zoomed over the terrain, safely away from the ground, Darcy scoffed over the speaker.
“What is it this time, need to dump me in a river to see if my lungs can strip oxygen out of water?” I asked.
“Huh? No, they can, I tested that when you were a baby. You choke, kick around like you’re drowning, then calm down. Real disturbing to watch,” Darcy said.
“I flipping swear,” I grumbled.
“Citizen Karo, why did you promise a power source to the tribe in quadrant 117?” an unknown male voice said over the intercom.
“You want cookies, bring sugar,” I said, repeating one of my mom’s sayings.
“You do not have a power source to give them,” the same voice said.
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll trade you Moon Coins for one.”
I found this extremely funny and burst into laughter.
The man used a dry tone, “You should not be negotiating in place of the council.”
I found the closest camera and wagged a finger at it. “I think I understand. You’re feeling slighted because someone else dictated terms. Which means that you, who struggled and strained in the Reincarnation Trials, are not actually in control. By all means, Council Member Anonymous, lead the next diplomacy mission. I need to focus on winning the Trials, so my vote matters the most at the next council meeting.”
“Six hundred thousand Moon Coins have been deducted out of your account to compensate for drone time,” the asshole said as if he won.
I flipped him the bird and said, “I’m glad you see it my way. We need to expand the gene pool and make alliances. Those won’t be cheap.”
Instead of an answer, a soft classical melody wafted out of the speakers. I made my point and they made theirs. I instantly understood why Darcy hated some of the people and their ways.
However, that AI was firmly on my ‘eat shit’ list. I’d keep her there in time out until two weeks went by and that was a hell of a long time in Snagglewood. I tapped a request to Darcy. Asking to void my exit times aboard Hope over the next two weeks to build up plenty of time for my meeting with Otana’s people.
I received a reply. Probably approved, vote being set for later. Proud of you. Instead of replying to her, I penned everyone I knew and loved a letter, telling them I was grateful they were in my life… Even my mother.
17
Snagglewood Day 17
Laro
You have arrived in Snagglewood with 17 seconds to spare.
Even though I returned to my body, I still needed a few hours more of sleep. However, the burning desire to pee pulled me out of bed.
My hand tried to find the cover’s edge but slid over her thin stomach. When I peeled an eye open, I realized I bumped into Yilissa who read by candlelight.
“Ugh, sorry, still asleep,” I grumbled.
She exited the bed and opened the covers. “Sheesh, such a gentlemen. Have no fear, I’ve been groped many times as a woman, especially once I lost favor. You touching me as you awake is innocent, and I find it sweet how you react. Are you thirsty?”
I smacked my lips, stifling a yawn.
I nodded while hurrying to relieve my bladder.
Roma worked the shelves, counting inventory again. Every shift we conducted a inventory of everything to pass time. She ate canned apples, if I had to guess from the smell. For now, I had us on full calories since we had months of canned food anyway.
Plus, I saw that the second wave mission still existed on my quest lists. My guess was, each day that passed, moved the needle closer to the next attack. Since we were going to leave, I didn’t want us half-starved.
I stumbled over to the rocks and let it flow.
“You were talking up a storm in your sleep. Who’s Darcy?” Yilissa asked.
“I’m peeing,” I grumbled with my eyes closed. I wrinkled my nose from the ammonia smell. “Did we pour water on this?”
“Not yet,” Roma said, stretching for a top shelf. “I’m with Yilissa, who’s Darcy?”
“Mother Nature. We can talk about this in the morning,” I told them.
I finished my business, pulled up my shorts, and lumbered back to the bed. Yilissa handed me a mug of water that I downed in a long gulp.
“Thanks, you’re a peach,” I said. She set the cup down before walking around the bed to the other side. “You’re walking better.”
“You did a good job and I’ve been letting it heal for the most part,” Yilissa said, patting the bed.
Roma’s chair scooted out and she set her pencil down. I saw a tension between the ladies, and I ignored it. I curled into bed, only on about five hours of sleep. Yilissa didn’t say anything, picking her book off the nightstand.
Roma arrived in her spot and snuggled into me. She’d done this a few times, crying into my chest. This time, I just made her my little spoon and drifted back to sleep.
A loud bang awoke me.
It felt like it was only a few minutes later. I didn’t immediately leap into action because it sounded like a falling can. When a narock’s roar echoed in our small room, my eyes flared open.
“Help!” a distant voice shouted.
The slamming of the hatch above, shifted me from mostly awake to wide awake. Roma drooled on my chest while curled in my arm nook. I shoved her off, rolling for one of the dragons on the nightstand.
The second
I had the .45 in my hands I spun to see… Zed.
The old man finished his descent, with a huff. “That bastard,” Zed said with a furious tone.
“Were you followed?” I asked.
Zed paced the floor, clearly agitated. I dressed quickly, readying for a fight.
“No. The city's a mess and no one cares about me. They may be robbing my store during the chaos, but they also may be dying trying to do that,” Zed said with a scoff.
Zed plopped down in the chair at the inventory table. He ran his hands through his stringy gray hair.
“That bad?” Yilissa asked.
He nodded sadly.
“Tarak had a man in the tower. He never signaled the bell. I can only guess what he did,” Zed said.
I frowned, reading about small communities facing this kind of problem. The human divides for power sometimes were solved by using the monsters to kill the side you wanted gone.
Zed continued, “That guard found a way to warn Tarak and his men. They went to the western gate to establish a safe zone. The narocks stormed the walls and we never had a warning. Five times as many crossed the walls this time. When good folks went to fall back to Tarak’s men, they forced loyalty oaths or started shooting,” Zed said in dismay.
“Well, that won’t help them, shooting at friendlies,” Yilissa said. “Let’s hope they were warning shots. No matter what, Tarak will be seen as the new leader.”
“Which means even if Kimi is defeated, Roma still has to hide.” I sighed. “Time to get ready to go,” I ordered. “We leave soon. Zed, what time of day is it? We've been struggling to keep time.”
“Sun’s about to rise,” Zed said. “I’ve only known Laro my whole life, I need to stay here.”
“I had a talk with Mother Nature in my dream. The narocks plaguing this land cannot crawl under the earth,” I said, sliding into my pants.
This wasn’t exactly true. There very well might be tunneling narocks.
I knew that Otana’s tribe lived underground and figured that was a good bet here too. Running for Bisben would probably get us killed, either by narocks, bandits, or other threats. Most of the western themes had additional threats besides narocks and a three-month journey only increased our odds of running into something that doomed us.
