The First Colony: Book I: Settlement Chronicals
Page 27
"Get Tommy," he said. "Both of you, get in the corner behind the bed in the back bedroom."
Margie had already gotten out of bed, quickly put on her robe and started for the other bedroom to get Tommy. Pulling him from bed she returned to the doorway opening into the living room, tightly holding Tommy's hand as she watched Jake slowly approach the door to the hallway. Stopping in front of the door to listen, Jake held the laser pistol at the alert, the flashlight in his other hand shining in a circular spot on the door. The sounds in the hallway could still be heard but seemed to have receded further down the hall. In the adjacent apartment Jake heard a crashing sound followed by what sounded like a scuffle, then silence.
Outside in the hallway all was silent. Then a light scratching on the door, followed by a voice calling out Margie's name. An alien voice, but sounding like Hath-Boc. Of the aliens only Hath-Boc could enunciate that clearly. Margie started to walk toward the door only to be motioned back by Jake. After listening for several more moments Jake moved slowly to the door, again motioning Margie and Tommy to stay back. Holding the pistol in one hand he undid the security chain with the hand holding the flashlight, and slowly opened the door, stepping back and shining the flashlight out the open door. Standing in the hallway he saw Hath-Boc and two unfamiliar Torgai.
"What's going on?" Jake asked, looking at Hath-Boc, at the same time lowering his pistol. That was the last word Jake spoke, as the spear entered his throat, exiting at the back of his neck.
The first thing Margo Kladstrup heard was the door to her quarters crashing open. The second thing she heard was the sound of the door to her bedroom slamming against the wall. That was also the last thing she heard.
Quickly pulling on his clothes, Yasu came running to the security office when the alarm sounded. Running through the darkened compound it was mere minutes before he arrived. But he never had the opportunity to even open the door.
John Bachman ran as fast as he could across the compound toward the main security building. But he didn't run fast enough.
Sonja was startled by the sounds behind her. She had just completed her rounds checking on the half dozen colonists currently hospitalized, and returned to the small office. This was a shift she didn't like, but it was only fair she rotate on the night shift with the other medical personnel. After all, it wasn't anyone's favorite. Returning to the ward she was startled to see several Torgai hacking at the screaming colonists in the ward, several of the colonists trying to escape. "Stop," Sonja screamed, "stop." It didn't help, and Sonja was unable to scream a third time.
Colin crouched behind the couch in his quarters, the laser pistol pointed at the door which was giving way under the battering. Suddenly the door crashed open and several Torgai flooded into the room. The pistol flashed in his hand, cutting the first Torgai nearly in half and severing the arm of the second. But more Torgai crowded into the room, and in spite of the carnage that resulted, one weapon in the hands of one man wasn't enough to stem the tide.
To the north . . . .
Kraa-Ki lay sprawled on the dark downwind hillside, watching the silent Torgai village below. Members of her pack were spread beside and behind her, and other packs waited behind the low hills. It was an hour before dawn and nearly time for the packs to move into the village. Now, everything was ready.
Since moving south from the forest the Kraa packs had moved cautiously, mostly by night. The villages nearest the tree line had already been destroyed, and now they were moving south. With each village the tactics of the Kraa became further refined and their confidence was increasing. First a scout pack would determine the village size, what paths were followed, and locate the den mouths and locations of any guards. When that was known packs would be stationed near trails the Torgai might use in trying to escape and near where guards were located. Then other packs gathered downwind of the village. When all were in position, just before dawn when it was darkest, the Kraa packs would eliminate the Torgai guards and move stealthily into the village, each pack positioning itself at one of the den mouths. Then they would wait.
Shortly after dawn, when the first of the Torgai left the dens, they were silently killed. This would continue until something aroused the rest of the Torgai, such as a shout of warning.
The Torgai had little chance. The den mouths were wide enough for only one Torgai at a time to exit, and in their vulnerable position they were easily killed by the waiting pack. For those who stayed within the safety of the den the end result was the same, the pack forcing its way in where the Torgai were at a disadvantage, unable to use their speed or weapons effectively. In each of the previous villages the tactics had been completely successful, with no Torgai escaping to warn other villages. And with this village Kraa-Ki was confident it would be the same.
Initially when the Kraa forced their way into the dens many Kraa were killed. Now Kraa-Ki would again modify her tactics. Stuffing the ventilation shafts and den mouths with debris was just as effective; only took a little longer. Without air and unable to leave the Torgai would eventually die, guarded by only a few packs. Those who attempted to avoid suffocation by escaping were killed.
They had also learned to eliminate the shaman early; and his den was easily located as next to the common house. In the shaman's case they didn't wait for someone to emerge, but immediately rushed through the entrance before they had time to warn the other villages. Kraa-Ki didn't know how, but she did know that shamen could warn the other villages if left alive.
This was an opportunity Kraa-Ki would not let pass; she had spent too many years waiting. For some reason large groups of Torgai hunters had been seen heading south earlier that month leaving the villages largely unprotected. Her scouts had reported it was happening in all the villages. If things continued to go well the Torgai hunters would have nothing to return to. No families, no villages, nothing. Exposed on the savanna they would be easy prey on their return. With each success Kraa-Ki became more and more convinced she would succeed and totally destroy the Torgai.
The time was close. Both moons were below the horizon, and the chill pre-dawn air caused a film of dew to form on Kraa-Ki's fur. Her ever observant eyes flicked back and forth, the only movement. Kraa-Ki sniffed the air, catching the characteristic smell of the Torgai sentinels. They were still in position where expected. Raising her head Kraa-Ki signaled to the other Kraa to start their move into the village.
EPILOGUE - BOOK I
Colin's World, March 20, Alpha Year 4
Spring had come early this year, and already the early rains had turned the broad savanna into a green sea of new grass emerging through the brown cover which remained from the year before. Other than the wandering herds of animals the savanna was empty. On the peninsula jutting into the sea new growth was again converting the large grove of trees into a safe haven for the small creatures that lived there.
The land had changed little in the intervening years, but there were some differences. A small, four-wheeled vehicle sat abandoned beneath the tree cover, serving as a safe hiding place for the foraging animals that occasionally climbed into the vehicle to hide their treasure beneath the cushions. On the shore a beached small ship partially buried by sand carried by the daily rhythm of the tides. Inland from the peninsula a cluster of buildings sat forlornly, the only activity the periodic movement of a fluttering piece of debris disturbed by the cycling of the wind, or the squeak of a door hanging open on its hinges as it was reached by a puff of breeze.
Except for the sighing of the wind, and the gentle lapping of the waves, punctuated by the periodic raucous cries of the gulls, there was silence; the silence of an undisturbed land.
Kevin's World, August 28, Earth Year 2131
Kevin Murphy sat on the bench in the darkness of the backyard of his home outside Scottsdale. It was just before midnight, and in the morning he would be leaving for the military academy at West Point. That was the beginning of four long, difficult years of training. The goal he had striven for through his ye
ars of high school was about to be fulfilled.
Kevin often sat here in the stillness watching the star low on the horizon. The expedition to Alpha 2 had reached its destination four years before, if it had reached it at all. In a matter of months the first messages should begin arriving telling of their success or failure. Or, in the absence of any messages, a story of failure.
The night was still, with a light breeze from the southwest stirring the leaves on the few trees. In the moonless sky the stars formed a brilliant umbrella creating a roof over Kevin's head. Kevin sat quietly, giving his imagination full reign. Someday, thought Kevin, someday.