by Kocho
“Because right now am looking straight at them sir, I’m sending you the coordinates. How long until the teams reach this position? ”
“Our team will need about fifteen minutes. There are US rangers coming as well from Camp Bondsteel.”
How many of them are there? Can you give me a correct count?
Fillip looked at the aliens. It took him a minute to count them. As he was doing that he noticed one of them being stabbed and then dragged and left near another body. He noticed that this one looked different from the others. He was a little taller and a lot tinier and had just torn white garments on him. He also had blue skin and cone head. He counted thirteen together with the wounded. He noticed that one of the other aliens was also wounded.
“There are thirteen of them sir. But I believe one of them is a prisoner and I believe that their commander is dying or at least he is gravely wounded.”
“Ok stay there and wait for the cavalry to arrive.”
“Yes sir. Sir they just killed two civilians. And I believe that more are in danger. The crash was pretty loud and there were a lot of hunters and hikers on the mountain today. And I believe that whoever noticed will surely come here.”
There was no answer from the other side and he thought he heard a sigh.
“The Americans said that their armor deflects lightweight ammunition.” Be careful Fillip. Apparently the bastards destroyed half a dozen ships in the Aegean Sea.
“Yes sir.”
Then he hanged up. He silenced the phone and looked at the aliens. He thought the one that was shot by the hunter died but he saw him slowly walking around the perimeter near him clinching his chest. He looked at his gun and then at the alien.
“Only head shots will work obviously.”
As the alien approached him he slowly backed up and hid in the bushes. He took out the knife and prepared. As the alien passed him he came out quickly behind him and with a master stroke stabbed him in the neck. The alien turned and looked at him with surprised eyes. He tried to yell but Fillip slashed with the knife across his neck. Black blood started flowing from the wounds. The alien clinched his neck and fell on the ground. In couple of seconds he was dead. Fillip looked at his equipment. He noticed the sword. He picked it up and looked at it. It was half a meter long and it reminded him of the roman gladius sword. He touched the edges. The sword was sharp. As he was surveying it he heard a sound behind him. He turned quickly and noticed another of the aliens looking at him. The alien raised his rifle. Before he could fire Fillip threw the sword at his chest. The sword passed through his armor easy and buried itself in his chest all the way to the hilt. The alien looked at him with look that showed surprise and fell on his knees. Before he could get to him to finish him he yelled something. Fillip slashed with the knife across his neck but it was too late. Shots came from the other aliens that started running towards him. Only three remained by what he supposed was their leader and only because they didn’t have guns.
Fillip backed up and pulled his gun from his belt. He took aim and started firing.
Ristarion turned his head toward the place from where the shout came. The Praetorian, Huron and the other legionary that helped him on the bridge remained by him while the other legionaries ran toward there. Couple of minutes earlier the legionaries killed two humans. He assumed that they found others as well. As he did that the first shots came. He watched in fascination as the legionaries started falling. He noticed that whoever was shooting was aiming at their heads. The legionaries spread out and tried to protect themselves but it was to no avail. Whoever the shooter was he knew his business. As he watched from the six legionaries that started running toward the shooter five fell on the ground dead. The sixed hid behind a tree. As he was trying to find the shooter the human came from the side and without thinking shot him twice in the head. Then he turned towards them. He aimed the gun at them and yelled something in his language. As he came closer the three remaining legionaries drew their swords and rushed him. He fired two shots at them before ducking away from the thrown sword from the Praetorian. As he ducked Huron reached him first and tried to slash him. The human stepped to the side not even looking at the other legionary that came from that side.
As Ristarion looked he noticed why. The legionary’s body was literally moving on inertia. Black blood fell from his head. As he came to a meter from the human he fell on the ground clearly dead.
As he stepped to the side he caught Huron’s hand and dragged him forward and with the knife he pulled from the belt he stabbed him in the neck. As he did that Huron dropped his sword. Blood sprayed from his wound. The legionary knew he was dead. He turned toward his master and slowly started walking toward him.
The Praetorian slammed in to the human as he stabbed Huron and both he and the human fell on the ground. The human was thrown almost two meters away from the stroke. But he wasn’t surprised. Both he and the Praetorian rolled and stood up. Both stood their ground and just looked at one another.
Pran looked at his rival. The human looked small compared to him but he proved his skill. He was about six feet tall. The torn shirt showed muscular body that had a large tattoo on the left shoulder. The human had short black hair, full leaps and black eyes. And from his look he was clearly well trained. He knew that it will be hard to surprise him.
At the same time the Dacarian was looking at him Fillip was looking at him as well. The hit tore his shirt to pieces. The alien was more than eight feet tall and had a massive and well developed body. He noticed that his skin was a mixture of green and gray under the torn armor. He had sharp teeth and big yellow eyes.
As they were measuring themselves Huron slowly came to Ristarion. He couldn’t utter a word because of the wound to his neck. Instead he took the medallion Ristarion gave him and returned it to him and touched him on the shoulder. After that he fell on the ground and looked for the last time in to the blue sky. Ristarion looked at him and closed his eyes.
“May your journey to the afterlife be good my friend. And wait for me. I will join you soon.”
As he said those words he noticed that the Sicarian was still alive. He was breathing slowly and watching the human. He wasn’t smiling anymore and his face showed the huge pain he felt. Ristarion couldn’t feel anything else but admiration. He wanted to see him suffer but what he saw told him that he did a mistake. He turned his gaze toward the two combatants.
As he did that he noticed that the Praetorian stood still
Fillip watched in amazement as the alien stood still and bowed. And he was even more shocked when he spoke.
It took him just a second to understand the language the alien was speaking. It was Latin.
“It is an honor to meet you Alteran. You are a great warrior and give credit to your race.”
Fillip didn’t answer anything just bowed and smiled. He could see that the alien knew that he understood him.
The alien smiled showing his sharp teeth and then attacked.
He tried to use his greater physical force and bigger body but Fillip was expecting that. He blocked the strikes with an effort and then stepped aside. As he did the alien turned and tried to deliver a strike to his head. Fillip blocked it and delivered a strong strike to his neck. The alien backed up surprised. As he did that Fillip moved forward and started delivering strong strikes at what he supposed were the withal points of his body.
In less than a minute he hit the body of the Praetorian in his chest neck and head more than a hundred times. The legionary felt his body growing weaker with each strike. He knew that his opponent was the better fighter and he knew that he will die a worthy death. In a last effort to disable him he tried to grab his neck. As he did that the human delivered several powerful strokes to the weak spots of his hands and two powerful strokes to his neck.
He felt his neck braking just before he fell dead on the ground.
As the last combatant fell to the ground Fillip turned toward the last alien that was sitting by the stone. He guessed that
he was the leader. The aliens face showed that he was in great pain. Blood flowed from his mouth and a huge wound was visible on the left side of his stomach. His armor was torn and bloodied. The alien smiled.
“I know that you can understand me human. I can see it in your face.”
“Who are you? Why did you come here?”
The alien coughed expelling blood.
“That is the question isn’t it? Why are we here?”
“You are dying a painful death. I could make it easy for you if you give me an answer.”
The Dacarian looked at his enemy. He knew that this was the enemy that his race feared and at the same time respected more than anyone else. And his clan respected them more than any other.
He remembered a story that was passed from generation to generation. A long time when the Farsians still ruled a Dacarian soldier was the last one standing in a long forgotten battle and he faced eight Alteran soldiers. He was wounded. And he knew that he is going to be killed by his masters even if he lives. He asked them to give him an honorable death. To his surprise they agreed and one of them stepped up and fought him. He lost the fight but instead of killing him they gave him medicine for his wound and transported him close to the dacarian lines. And when he asked why, they told him that it was because he showed mercy towards their deadly wounded friend and killed him quickly and because he fought with honor. Before he died that dacarian soldier managed to tell the story to his son. That soldier was a member of his clan.
And now he knew that he can ask that from this human as well.
“I don’t fear death Alteran. But I want to die with honor. And I want a promise from you.”
“Tell me the answer to my question and I will give you your honorable death.”
Ristarion took the little medallion and handed it to the human who took it.
“What is this?”
“It is something that a long time ago an enemy soldier gave to one of my ancestors before he died. And it is handed from father to son ever since in his honor and memory. In the name of the honor that exists even among enemies. One day a fleet of ships will come to your world. There will be a war. I don’t know what the future holds but if you survive wear that medallion. If you ever meet my father or a member of my clan give him that and tell him how I died. Tell him that I died with honor under a blue sky. Promise me that you will tell him that and I will tell you how long your world has to prepare.”
Fillip looked at him and nodded.
“You have my word.”
“Thank you. You have twenty nine of your months. In twenty nine months our people will be at war once again.”
The human looked at him with look that told him that he knew that he was telling him the truth. But he showed no fear.
“Tell me human, do you know how a legionary dies.”
The human just nodded and picked up his sword and stepped behind him.
“What is your name?”
“I’m Fillip Stefanovski.”
“I’m Ristarion Al Mach son of Arios Al Mach. Remember that name Alteran.”
“May the gods be with you Ristarion.”
When he said those words Fillip trust the sword downward just below the neck all the way to the hilt. The alien’s body twitched just as the sword pierced his body and then relaxed.
Fillip then turned to the last surviving alien. The alien black eyes were watching him with admiration.
He went to him. He noticed dark red blood flowing from a massive wound to his chest.
“Do you understand me?”
Agnail looked at him. His eyes were hazy. He knew that he was dying but he knew that thanks to the dacarian his death was going to be painful. He could barely speak. But he knew that he had to make the effort.
“I do human. I do.”
“You were their prisoner. I saw when one of them dragged you here.”
The human looked at the other body beside him.
“Sorry for your friend.”
“Thank you. Yes I … was their prisoner. But that doesn’t matter now. The one you killed with you bare hands. He has a data tablet with the information about the attack. It contains the coordinates of where their fleet will come out in this system. Bring it to me so that I can read them to you while I still have the strength to do so.”
Fillip looked at him for a second and then went to the dead body and picked up something that looked like a tiny computer from his body. He brought it to the blue alien.
Agnail took the tablet and opened it up. He read the coordinates and gave them to the human.
“Thank you. What can I do for you?”
“Nothing except help me to die quickly too. My wound is deadly and there is nothing to be done. The Dacarian knew where to strike.”
“Dacarian…?”
“Yes that is what they call themselves. And before you ask they are from very far away, the same as me.”
“What is the name of your race?”
“What was you mean. We lost the war. I doubt they left anyone alive. My race was called Sicarian. My name is Agnail Macon Curas. I’m the last surviving general of the Sicarian imperial army.”
“I’m glad to meet you. I’m …”
“Fillip… I know. I heard … The attack will come in two and a half of your years. Your world must prepare. That is all I can tell you.”
“Thank you.”
The Sicarian looked at him and smiled.
“Now I have to ask you for the same mercy as him. Give me back my honor.”
Fillip looked at the alien. He turned and picked up a sword from one of the dead soldiers. The alien pointed him to a place on his chest.
“Strike there and look me in the eye. And thank you.”
Fillip didn’t say anything. He thrust the sword at the appointed spot and looked him in the eyes. As their eyes met the alien smiled.
“You… have a… lovely…world.”
After these words his head fell. Fillip caught his head and placed his body by the other Sicarian.
Then he inhaled and sat down beside it…
As he sat he could feel the adrenalin subsiding and his body relax. He looked at his bruised hands. The bruises were from the alien body. It was a lot stronger and tougher than a human.
He looked at the alien bodies that lay all over. He could smell the burning flesh of some. It was hard to believe in what he was seeing. He looked at the tiny alien data pad in his hand. He remembered the information that they gave him. Twenty nine months.
He shook his head.
He looked at the watch on his wrist.
“They are here.”
As he thought it he raised his head and looked all around. He noticed them. An entire squad of soldiers approached from all sides. They were camouflaged and spread out. He knew that there are some behind him as well. He smiled and raised his right hand. He gave the all clear signal.
Moments later he heard footsteps behind him.
A tall soldier stepped up in front of him. As he did from all sides an entire squad of men started rising from their concealed positions.
The soldier saluted.
“Colonel, we were informed that we’ll find you here.”
“Major.”
The major looked at the bodies.
“Are they all dead?”
Without even looking at him Fillip answered.
“Yes.”
“Did you check the wreck?”
“No.”
The major pointed to several of his men and two teams entered in the broken parts of the alien ship. Then he turned toward the colonel.
He looked at the young men before him. He served under him in both tours in Afghanistan and he knew that he is not just an excellent officer, but also a good men and soldier. He respected him, and so did the rest of the men of the unit. Most of them also had him as their commanding officer before he transferred in the DBK (Macedonian counter-intelligence unit). He noticed the bruises on his hands and the torn shirt. There was a bullet
scar on the left shoulder but it was covered by the tattoo. He had one as well and so did several other soldiers. He remembered the day when they got them. He noticed the data pad in his hand.
“Is that from the aliens?”
Fillip looked at the major. He knew him well. They were friends. He smiled as he noticed that he was looking at the tattoo on his left shoulder.
“Yes. It’s some sort of computer that has all the reconnaissance information they gathered about us, our world and our star system.”
“Star system?”
Fillip looked at the body of the Sicarian.
“Yes. It contains the information that the invasion fleet will need when it gets here in twenty nine months.”
The major looked at him.
“How do you know that?”
“They told me. And he said that this has everything they will need.”
The major looked at the body of the blue alien.
“He told you? How did he speak our language?”
Fillip stood up and looked at him. He looked at the dead body and then at the major.
“He didn’t.”
“Then how…”
“He spoke Latin.”
The major looked at the colonel. He to like him knew the implications of what he just heard were.
“Yes Zoran. They’ve been here before.”
The major looked at the dead alien bodies. Fillip looked at them to.
As he did that he heard three choppers approaching. Two took positions above the two pieces of the alien ship, while the third one landed couple of meters from them. Four soldiers stepped from the chopper and took covering positions. Fillip looked at them.
“We’ll have company in couple of minutes. I think you shouldn’t be here when they arrive.”
“Yes. I think my ride is here.”
He saluted and then headed toward the chopper. Before he stood up he turned.
“Take good care of their bodies. They were their prisoners.”
The major looked at the two dead bodies in front of him.
“I will. Go.”
Fillip boarded the chopper. As he did that the soldiers retreated as well and climbed on board. As the chopper lifted he noticed four Black Hawks approaching.
