Betrayal

by E. Wayne Stucki

  Sesum watched the Queen move through the grass, taking swipes at flowers with false-hands then shook his head. It was a scene from a more peaceful time - except for the guards and the guns they carried. He hoped she was smart enough to keep a safe distance from the cliff edge. The maps indicated there weren’t any barriers keeping people away from danger. Looking down from this high up could be disorienting. Of course, he thought, even if she wasn’t that smart her guards were and they’d keep her away from mischief.

  Then Iidx began walking up asking questions and the Swarm Master had to start handling problems.

  By the time camp had been set up and their evening meal complete the sun had disappeared. The thin air of the higher elevation didn’t hold the heat of the day and temperatures plummeted. When Sesum ordered this stop he knew the night’d be cold. But he also knew it wouldn’t freeze and they’d prepared for this when they left Refuge. He’d already donned a cold weather coat in anticipation of the lower temp’s. A cool breeze was felt coming through the trees. With the star light and moon light blocked by the thick boughs the Swarm Master used a shielded light to escort the Queen to her tent.

  After bidding Krissen goodnight and making sure she was safely inside with all the flaps sealed and no lights showing Sesum began his evening routine. He walked the perimeter to confirm that guards were posted and knew their areas of responsibility. Because it was going to be cold he also checked to make sure they had cold weather gear on. If they weren’t prepared for the frigid temperatures the guards would go into a protective hibernation. At last when he’d finished his rounds the Swarm Master moved back through the camp watching for any lights.

  Sesum reached his tent without having to reprimand anyone for sloppiness and moved through the door flaps. He turned to secure the outer flap then sealed the inner flap. While keeping his light on low he double checked the door seals to confirm that light couldn’t escape to reveal their presence to an enemy. Although that precaution wasn’t really necessary tonight because of the thick layer of leaves above them he continued with his routine. He wasn’t going to take any chances. With that taken care of he turned off the light then removed his coat and harness as fast as he could in the cold night air. With his antennae starting to shiver Sesum climbed into his warm sleeping pouch.

  It seemed he’d just fallen asleep when he jerked awake, nerves jangling and breaths coming in quick gasps. He lay on his back staring into the darkness working to get his breathing under control as he tried to determine what had roused him. Then it came again. “Swarm Master,” a voice called. “Swarm Master Sesum, are you awake?”

  “I am now,” he called sitting up in the inky blackness, looking in the direction of the voice. He was careful to keep his pouch around him to guard against the coldness of the night. “Who’s there?”

  “Commander Canzen, Master of the Guard, Swarm Master,” came the reply out of the darkness. “We have an issue at one of the guard posts that requires your attention.”

  That got Sesum’s attention. His first thought was that the Kthpok had found them and were attacking. Then he paused to consider. If the Kthpok were here his guards would have opened fire to protect the camp. So he listened. It didn’t take much to identify the chirping and cheeps of night creatures. There was also the breeze going through the leaves of the trees reminding him of the sound of a stream. But he didn’t hear any firing and explosions so he decided there weren’t any Kthpok in the area.

  Sesum shook his head. Since the Master of the Guard knew better than to disturb a Swarm Master without reason he decided he’d better get up and see what was going on. This sequence of thoughts took only seconds before he announced. “I’m coming,”

  The Swarm Master reached out to turn on a light and, not without some trepidation, left his warm pouch. His antennae shivered when the chill of the night air struck and he hurried into his harness then pulled on a coat. A quick glance at the time showed it was three in the morning.

  A few minutes after being roused the Swarm Master emerged from his tent while making the last adjustment to his coat. He paused for a moment to look up at the leafy cover but saw only an inky darkness. As expected not even the light of the full moons were getting through. A few feet away he saw the Guard Master pointing a shielded light at the ground. “Okay, Commander, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?” asked Sesum. “Or when the sun’s up,” he corrected when he remembered it was morning - technically.

  “They started to appear out of the trees a short time ago,” replied Canzen as he began walking back through the camp. The Swarm Master joined him. “That was when the guards called me.”

  “They?” questioned Sesum. “Who are ‘they’? What are you talking about?”

  “It’s over this way, sir,” replied the Commander pointing the light in the direction he meant.

  Using Canzen’s shielded light the two Iidx moved through the trees, tents and vehicles in silence. The only sounds they heard were still the night creatures and the breeze moving through the leaves. Moments later the two Iidx reached the perimeter and guard posts.

  Ahead a glint of reflected light appeared out of the darkness and Sesum saw several dark shapes against a black background. He assumed the reflection came from a weapon carried by one of the guards. He made a mental note to have all metal scuffed to prevent a reflection. This wasn’t the time to worry about spit and polish. His people could keep their weapons in good condition without the shine. An inopportune glint like that could betray them to the Kthpok. Then he saw more shapes beyond, many more, and heard muffled conversations.

  When Sesum and Canzen moved closer to the shapes several Iidx came into the edge of the beam thrown by Canzen’s shielded light. Sesum quickly recognized that two of the shapes were guards. They wore the proper clothing and carried weapons. But who was the third Iidx?

  “Swarm Master,” said the Commander Canzen when the three Iidx came to a stop in front of them, “may I introduce Tiras, the Queen of Carm.” The Queen stepped fully into the light where her large antennae could be seen.

  “Carm?” prompted Sesum.

  “Carm was the city at the bottom of these mountains, Swarm Master. On the seaside,” replied the new Queen with a respectful bob of her head. She put the emphasis on the ‘was’. “My city was destroyed, incinerated really, by the Kthpok. We were on our way inland to seek refuge when we came upon your guards. I am here to request your assistance.”

  “We?” wondered Sesum. “How many are ‘we’?”

  “There are forty-six with me,” Tiras replied. “When we received Swarm Master Zelof’s evacuation order we began moving people immediately. As I was the chief Trainee Queen I was sent on ahead with the first evacuation group of engineers and security people. We were to prepare the evacuation point and maintain order. But we didn’t have enough time. The Kthpok struck before we’d reached our destination. We tried contacting Queen Danis, she was the senior queen, when we saw the flash of light then a mushroom cloud rising from the other side of some hills, but there was no response. Other Iidx who joined us later told us what had happened.” She paused for a moment as she remembered.

  “They didn’t use aircraft,” the Queen started again. “At least I don’t think so. No one reported hearing or seeing anything out of the ordinary. There was just an explosion. One which destroyed the entire city.” Her antennae sagged in her grief. “The Kthpok killed Queen Danis and the sub-Queens along with tens of thousands of my people.”

  “How long ago was this attack, your Highness?” Sesum asked.

  The Queen gave a shake from her antennae. “I don’t know,” she replied. “After the explosion most of our electronics stopped. Since then all the days have been running together. It might have happened two days ago or maybe a week.” This time she shook her head. “Everything’s run together.”

  Nodding his understanding Sesum moved past the new Queen and guards. The Iidx who’d arrived with Tiras saw his approach and crowded around. Re
aching through his coat to the utility belt underneath the Swarm Master pulled out a light and switched it on. Counting on the trees overhead to keep them hidden from observation he swept the beam over the figures. His antennae drooped in sympathy as he saw Iidx with scrapped shells and inadequate clothing against the coldness of the night. There were even a few younglings huddled together for what warmth they could find. Several adults were attending to their needs.

  Directing his light at the ground Sesum turned back to Canzen. “Commander, take Queen Tiras to one of our supply vehicles,” he instructed. He gestured at the new Iidx with a false-hand. “These people need warm clothing and blankets, something to get them through the cold night. They’ll also need food. When they left Carm I’m sure there wasn’t time to gather supplies.” The Swarm Master looked over at Tiras who shook her antennae in confirmation. Then he shone his light at his watch. They still had six hours until sunrise and another hour before it began to warm up. Something else had to be done. Then he had it! “While the refugees are being outfitted have the rest of the guard detail gather wood and start several fires,” he ordered.

  “Fires, sir?” questioned the Commander. “But you ordered a black out! The Kthpok might see the light!”

  “Yes, Commander, I did,” agreed Sesum. “And now I’m giving you instructions to discontinue that regime for tonight. It will resume tomorrow night.” He gave the Iidx a stern look and gestured with his light at the hapless Iidx surrounding them. “Unless you’d rather keep the blackout in place and let some of these people die from exposure?”

  The Guard Master came to attention and saluted. “No Sir!” he said. “I’ll see to it immediately!”

  Canzen called two guards over and gave them orders to gather wood and build fires. The Iidx saluted then hurried deeper into the forest to carry out their orders. Several of the more hardy Iidx refugees who’d overhead the conversation went to help. Beams of light could be seen sweeping back and forth through the trunks of trees as the Iidx looked for dry wood. Since it was close to the time for the current guard swarm to be relieved the next guard swarm arrived. The Commander sent some of the new guards off to a supply vehicle with Queen Tiras. She could oversee the distribution of the needed supplies.

  Canzen moved through the refugees dividing them into groups of ten and assigned the rest of the relief guard to lead them to the supply vehicle. He made sure the group which contained the younglings went first. The plan was that after one group was taken care of and had returned to the fires the next group would go to the vehicles. When he’d finished that he left to see how the supply distribution was going.

  Moments after the Commander had disappeared into the night Sesum saw several Iidx appear out of the darkness laden with dry sticks and branches. Dried leaves and grass was placed in various fire pits then wood was put in place. The grass was lit and flames began to grow. He nodded in approval at the care his Iidx were taking to contain the flames. It wouldn’t do to start a forest fire which could draw the attention of the Kthpok.

  Soon, a large number of people clad in cold weather clothing were milling around the fires, making it difficult for the Swarm Master to confirm Queen Tiras’ count. He guessed that some of those around the fires were his soldiers. There was enough noise that they were wakened and left their tents to see what was happening.

  While Sesum watched the fires and the people huddled around them Commander Canzen walked up. “As ordered,” began the Commander, “the clothing and food have been distributed to the refugees.” He gestured at the flickering light. “Fires have been built in the fire pits of camp sites to prevent forest fires. The upper deck of foliage should prevent observation. Infra-red scans, however, are a different matter.”

  The Swarm Master nodded his acknowledgement and Canzen continued. “The refugees have been taken care of for now, Swarm Master. But what about tomorrow? What happens to them when we leave?”

  Sesum took a deep breath and let it out sending streamers of vapor into the dark, cool air. “We’ll worry about that little problem when the sun’s up, Commander,” he said. “But now that Queen Tiras’ people have been cared for I’m going back to my sleeping pouch.” He turned to leave, stopped then swung back to face Canzen once more. “I do not need to be informed if more stray Iidx arrive. Feed them, clothe them, and make them as comfortable as possible. Make sure the next relief swarm gets the word as well. Also get everyone but the current guard swarm back into their pouches. Everyone needs as much rest as possible since we’re not going to delay for this. Now, I’m returning to my tent. I’ll see you in five or six hours.” He returned a salute then switched on his light and headed back through the trees for his tent.

  In the morning the Swarm Master hurried back to where he’d left the refugees and found the number had grown from forty-six to fifty-nine. The additional people had been attracted to the camp by the fires as they were wandering through the forest looking for refuge. His Second, Sinemota, reported there’d been one death. That particular Iidx had been injured in the evacuation from Carm. The chill of the night air coupled with the lack of food and appropriate medical attention had killed the Iidx.

  Sesum winced at the news of the death. Last night he hadn’t even thought to check if someone needed medical attention. All the Iidx he’d seen had been relatively well. The Swarm Master took a breath and gave himself a mental shake. It was impossible for anyone to know or think of everything. Swarm Master Zelof couldn’t and didn’t even pretend to. That was why he had advisors or aides. But knowing all that didn’t help his feelings of guilt.

  “Now, that day is coming on, Captain,” he said to Sinemota turning to the matter at hand. “Get our Medical People over here. I want all these people checked out. We’re not going to have any more deaths if we can help it.”

  Sinemota nodded his acknowledgement and hurried off to find the doctors. While that was going on Sesum called members of the guard swarm over to get the refugees organized for the examination.

  It took the Captain twenty minutes just to find the doctors. Then he discovered those Iidx didn’t have their equipment close at hand. While the necessary equipment was being assembled an anxious Sinemota was pushing the doctors to hurry. Finally, almost forty minutes after the order had been given; the medical people arrived at the camp fires to begin examining the refugees.

  The Swarm Master and Captain Sinemota were watching the lines of Iidx slowly move towards doctors when a voice from behind startled him. “What is going on here?” The Swarm Second stiffened in surprise. Sesum winced and started to turn around as Queen Krissen asked, “Where did all these people come from? What are they doing here?”

  Sinemota whirled around, came to attention and saluted the Queen. Sesum faced Krissen then gave a short bow. He noted she was well bundled in clothing against the cold. “They are refugees from Carm, your Highness,” he replied. Sinemota kept silent.

  “Carm!” exclaimed the Queen before Sesum could continue.

  “It was a city at the foot of the mountains,” Sesum explained rising from the bow. “It was incinerated by the Kthpok some days ago.” He gave a thoughtful wave from his antennae. “The Kthpok must have used a kinetic strike this time instead of a nuclear weapon because we’ve been unable to detect any radiation.” He gave a slight shrug of his antennae. “I guess they’re starting to worry about preserving the planets environment.”

  “I see,” said Krissen watching the doctors help the refugees. “How many new Iidx are there?”

  “Almost sixty.”

  “Sixty!” The Queen bristled and reared back. “We don’t have enough supplies for that many to remain with us. It’ll increase the possibility of our being detected. They will have to leave!”

  She started to turn as if the matter were closed then paused. After a moments consideration she turned back to give Sesum a sly look. “Or perhaps not,” she said. “They might be useful when we establish the new hive.” Then she waved her antennae as if she had just come to a decision.
“Yes. We’ll need all the people we can get. Since that’s the case we should head for the nearest city. Once there we can obtain the additional transports and supplies we’ll need for the new people. We may be delayed a day or two in our progress towards our destination but the loss of time can’t be helped. The supplies and transport are necessary.”

  Sesum didn’t reply but called for one of the refugees to come over. A figure disguised by clothing several sizes too large hurried over. A large hood covered its head and antennae. “Yes, Swarm Master?”

  “Did you have to walk to get up here, your Highness? Or did you have vehicles?” Sesum ignored Krissen’s shocked reaction at how he’d addressed the newcomer.

  “The latest arrivals had to walk,” Tiras replied as she pulled off her hood to free her large fluffy antennae. “Their vehicles failed half way up the mountain. But those who came with me earlier have vehicles that are in good shape.”

  Sesum nodded his approval and gestured at Captain Sinemota who was still at his side. “Take a small swarm to locate Queen Tiras people’s vehicles,” he ordered. “Have them checked out and make sure they’re ready to move in,” he paused to check the time, “two hours from now.”

  Sinemota saluted then left to carry out his instructions. Tiras went with him to show where the vehicles were and provide what help she could.

  When Sinemota and Tiras were out of hearing Sesum looked around to confirm no one else was nearby and could overhear their conversation. Then he turned to Krissen. Sesum had to suppress his antennae’s waves of amusement when he recognized the signs of indignation in her body language. “That was Tiras, Queen of Carm,” he said. “She and her people will be going with us and we will not be diverted from our path.”

  “But…” The Queen began then Sesum cut her off.

  “Don’t you recognize what’s happened?” He asked. “Our way of life has drastically changed and you need to understand that now! No longer will we enjoy the so called civilized era where the Queens rule and males obey without question. The time is coming, if it isn’t here now, when the major role of a Queen is to produce sufficient numbers of young to keep our people from extinction.”