Alone in the Crowd (The Chronicles of Anna Foster Book 3)

by Patrick Stutzman

  “Boy.” Cooper’s raspy whisper was like a knife cutting through the silence.

  Without taking his eyes away from the unexpected guest, Jason said, “I have a name, you know.”

  “Whatever. I can help you, if you get me out of these ropes.”

  “Now is not the time to negotiate your…”

  “I ain’t negotiating shit!” Cooper, though keeping his voice hushed, threw his words at Jason. “I’m trying to protect our lives. Now, cut me loose!”

  The wheels turned in Jason’s mind. He could release Cooper and let him help. But, he could try to reclaim his authority. Or, he could keep him bound. But, they could all die if the unknown creature attacks.

  “Cary,” Jason stated in a calm tone. “Cut the sergeant loose.”

  “What?” Cary’s voice carried a skeptical tone.

  “Cut him loose. Do you want this creature to kill us?”

  Cooper told Cary to pull the knife sheathed inside his boot. As the sounds of cutting through the rope began, Jason noticed the glowing spots blink before the slight sound of something rubbing against dirt and stone came from their direction. He watched it while his heart beat hard inside his chest. The sweat on his brow turned cold. “Hurry up, Cary! I think it’s approaching.”

  “It is?” Tomomi’s loud, hysterical outburst reverberated throughout the cave. “Oh, god!”

  Cooper’s voice broke the silence a brief moment later. “Shut her up.”

  “Almost got it.” Jason glanced over his shoulder and saw Cary cutting through the rope until it snapped apart. “Got it!”

  Jason turned back and observed that the luminescent eyes had come closer.

  Then he rose to his feet, wincing as he moved, and turned to look at the approaching lights. He brought the knife to bear in his left hand.

  “Jason, grab Anderson’s dagger. It’s in his right boot.”

  Jason nodded, backed up, and knelt next to Anderson’s body, clumsily fishing the blade from its sheath.

  “Today, boy!”

  Jason grasping the knife seconds later. “Got it!”

  He rushed back to Cooper’s side, swallowing his fear, and crouched, brandishing the black-bladed weapon. The shuffling sounds stopped. The three glowing spots rotated partially for a long second before they blinked and disappeared, appearing to sweep aside and retreat into the darkness. The sounds of padded feet against solid stone echoed through the cavern, fading with each passing second.

  There was a collective sigh and, much to Jason’s amusement, they all burst into nervous laughter.

  “I thought we were done for!” Tomomi breathed.

  Cary added with relief, “Me, too!”

  “Just goes to show you that we need to get out of here.” Cooper turned to the rest of the group, his words carrying a firm tone. “We can’t afford to take another chance like that.”

  “But, what about Anna? She will be coming back here to lead us out.” Jason braced himself. It looked like he would have to confront the sergeant.

  The sergeant frowned. “She’s a big girl. She can find her own way out.”

  “That doesn’t seem fair to her. She’s trying to help us reach the surface.” Cary said.

  “The longer we wait here, the greater the chance that that creature will come back and bring friends,” Cooper said. “We need to get out of here now!”

  * * * * *

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Anna’s voice penetrated the darkness.

  “Anna!” cried Jason.

  “Did you find a way out?” Tomomi asked.

  “Yes, I did. Is everyone able to walk?”

  Jason and the scientists answered to the affirmative. Cooper’s reply came last but was also positive.

  Anna looked him over. “Are you sure? I’m surprised you’re able to stand.”

  Cooper waved away her concern. “I’ll be fine. We need to drag Anderson out of here, though. I’m not leaving a man behind, dead or not.”

  With a curt nod to the sergeant, Anna turned to Jason. “Move Anderson onto the stretcher and prepare him to go with us. We’re going to carry the stretcher. Cary, help the good sergeant while we move. Tomomi, I…”

  “I don’t need anyone’s help!” Cooper interrupted.

  Anna smiled, like a mother to a petulant teenager. “Of course, you don’t. Cary will walk with you, just in case.”

  After Anderson was rolled onto the makeshift stretcher, Anna set the metal sphere next to Anderson’s head, earning her a curious look from Jason.

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure. But if I find out anything new, I’m sure you’ll be the first to know.”

  The group departed the cavern a few minutes later, Anna guiding them through the tunnels. They soon reached the bend in the natural passageway that led to the underground facility.

  As Anna stopped, Cooper followed suit. “Why are we stopping?”

  “Jason, set the stretcher down. I need to do something to allow us to continue.”

  Cooper asked, confusion in his voice. “What do you need to do?”

  “Reveal the passageway.” She moved toward the far side of the tunnel.

  “What’s to reveal? The passageway continues to the right.”

  Anna hugged the wall, feeling the stone surface while monitoring her wristcomp. “That’s not the way we’re going.”

  “Then, which way are we going?”

  A few seconds later, the indicator light on Anna’s wristcomp turned on, and she smiled. Keeping her arm motionless, she reached her other hand over and activated the communicator, causing the wall to dissipate before their eyes.

  “What the hell?” Cooper exclaimed as the rest of the group gasped.

  Anna grinned, turned to face them, and presented the entrance with a flourish before returning to the stretcher. “Prepare to be amazed!”

  Before she grabbed the handles of Anderson’s stretcher, Anna lifted the metal sphere and carried it to Tomomi.

  “Tomomi, how are you holding up?”

  The scientist took a deep breath, which sounded a bit labored, before answering, “I should be fine as long as we can get back to the colony soon.”

  “We will, but I need you to hold onto this. No matter what happens, don’t let go of it.”

  Tomomi looked at the dark orb for a couple of seconds before she lifted it out of Anna’s hands, tested its weight, and wrapped her arms around it.

  “Will do, Anna.” She gave a hint of a smile.

  Anna reclaimed her position carrying Anderson, and they walked through the entrance. As they did so, all of their technological devices returned to life.

  “Anna!”

  Anna turned her head to catch sight of the orb taking flight from Tomomi’s grasp and returning to a height just under the tunnel’s ceiling.

  “What is that?” Jason’s voice was tinged with fear.

  “Put the stretcher down!” Anna ordered as she lowered her side to the uneven floor. As soon as Anderson was safe on the ground, she turned and located the floating ball, her hand moving to her pistol.

  Cooper dropped his hand to his holster but found it empty.

  “Where’s my…” His voice trailed off as he caught sight of Cary carrying it.

  “Amazing!” Cary whispered as he stared at the floating object.

  Seconds passed with everyone watching the sphere, waiting to see what it would do. While Anna, Jason, and the scientists locked their eyes on it, Cooper stealthily circled around Cary, the fingers on his free hand flexing as he stalked closer to his target.

  Jason leaned toward Anna. “What do you think it will do?”

  Cooper snatched the pistol from Cary’s hand and, shoving him out of the way, aimed the weapon at the ball. “I’ll show you what it will do!”

  Anna thrust her free hand in his direction. “No! Wait!”

  Chapter 18

  Anna’s words came too late as a blast of energy left the muzzle of Cooper’s weapon
and grazed the sphere’s smooth shell before impacting against the roof of the cave. A split second later, a blue glowing spot appeared on the shell, facing Cooper’s position. Before the soldier could react, a tight beam emanated from the spot and pierced the pistol in his hand. The pistol glowed red before exploding in his hands and propelling him into the wall behind.

  “Cooper!” Tomomi screamed as she rushed to his side.

  “Damn it!” Anna moved quickly toward Cooper. As she reached him and knelt, Tomomi turned away sobbing.

  Anna assessed the damage while Cooper convulsed uncontrollably. His hand was gone, leaving a burned, bloody stump in its place. Shards of metal and plastic littered his arm, chest, belly, and face. Blood oozed from each wound.

  “Tomomi,” Anna asked while trying to calm her voice. “Do you know any first aid?”

  “Yes, a little.”

  “Then, stop crying, get over here, and tend to his wounds.”

  The scientist kneeled next to her and fished through Cooper’s gear, looking for medical supplies. Anna backed away and wheeled about to stare hard at the floating sphere, while Cary moved to assist Tomomi. Jason stood still and continued to gaze at the orb.

  “Why?” muttered Anna while shaking her head at his unmoving body. “Why did you have to do this?”

  As Anna watched, the sphere dropped several centimeters and began to glow with a soft, blue light, dim at first but quickly grew in intensity in a matter of seconds.

  “Shield your eyes!” Anna gave her warning as she raised her arm over her eyes. She hoped the others did the same. An instant later, the light disappeared, plunging the tunnel in darkness.

  Anna lowered her arm and opened her eyes, blinking to let them adjust to the low-light conditions again. She panned her gaze around after several seconds. Jason was doing the same. Another man stood near to where the sphere had been a moment before.

  He appeared to be a young man in his early teens wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and a letterman’s jacket with the same red, white, and blue colors as the high school she had attended in Seattle. Anna immediately recognized his short, blond hair, muscular figure, and charming good looks.

  She gave him with a curious look. “Bryce?”

  “Welcome back, Anna.” He gave a smug smile. “I missed you.”

  Jason glanced between them. “Who is this guy? What’s going on, Anna?”

  “What are you doing here?” She paid no attention to Jason’s question. “Aren’t you supposed to be on Earth?”

  “The real Bryce is. You don’t remember, but you chose my presence the last time you were here.”

  Anna’s eyes widened, and she and Jason both asked, “The last time?”

  “I’ll explain later. You have injured companions. Follow me.”

  As Bryce turned and strode further down the tunnel, Jason and Anna looked at each other for a second in curious speculation. Then, she turned to the scientists behind them. “Cary, you and I will carry Anderson. Is Cooper stable for now?”

  Cary nodded and moved toward the stretcher as Tomomi replied, “I’ve bound his arm and stopped some of the bleeding. But, I don’t think I have enough here to fully treat him. We need to get him back to the colony.”

  “I don’t think we can get him back there in time. Jason, carry Cooper. We need to move, now.”

  “Where are we going?” Jason asked as he reached Cooper’s side. “Are we following that guy?”

  “For now. I have a good idea of where he’s taking us.”

  “I’m not sure we can trust him. I mean, where did he come from? Is he actually that sphere that was with us before?”

  “I think he is.” Anna positioned herself to help Cary move the stretcher.

  “What if he’s leading us into a trap?”

  “Jason, if he wanted to kill us, he would have done so by now. You see what he did to Cooper. Why stop there if he wants us dead? I think he merely defended himself when our fearless hero here fired on him. Besides, something tells me that I should trust him.”

  “What do you mean?” Jason probed.

  Anna smiled grimly. “I’m not sure yet. Something in the back of my mind tells me that he has our, or at least my, best interests at heart. I can’t explain it just yet.”

  As they set off down the tunnel, Jason sighed. “I sure hope you’re right about this.”

  “I don’t know about you guys,” Cary interjected. “But, this is the kind of discovery that I always dreamed I’d find!”

  Anna cocked her head. “And, there you are. Let’s go!”

  Jason sighed again as the group followed their new guide.

  They arrived at the Altiki facility several minutes later. As the entrance opened and allowed them to enter, Jason and the scientists gasped in awe.

  “How did you know this was here?” Jason stepped through the doorway.

  “I discovered this while I searched for the way out.”

  “Can we get out through this place?”

  “Yes, I believe so.”

  Bryce pointed ahead. “Not much further.”

  “Where are you taking us?” Cary asked.

  “We have medical facilities to treat your wounded.”

  Cary cocked an eyebrow while Tomomi glanced at him for a second. “Who are you?”

  “You may call me Bryce.”

  “That’s all well and good, but that doesn’t really answer my question. Who are you?”

  “No more questions for now.”

  Bryce stopped, turned to his right, and waved his hand at the blank, metal wall. A portal opened before him, and he walked through. Cary and Tomomi looked back at Anna, expectant.

  “Well, follow him.” Anna waved her fingers at them with a hint of impatience, urging them forward.

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Jason whispered to himself.

  They carried Anderson and Cooper through the portal into a spacious, dimly-lit room in which six wide beds lined the far wall. Other furnishings, which resembled storage cabinets and tables, lined the other three walls. Bryce stood next to a semi-circular console positioned in the middle of the room.

  “Place each of your companions on one of the beds.”

  Tomomi squinted as she looked around the room. “Is it possible to turn up the lights in here?”

  “They are already at maximum.”

  Her eyes widened as she stopped next to one of the beds. “Interesting.”

  “I’d love to look around this place for a few days,” Cary said to Tomomi as he and Anna lifted Anderson onto the bed.

  “Me, too. Imagine what we could learn about the people that built this place.”

  After Jason and Tomomi had set Cooper on the bed next to Anderson’s, Bryce waved a hand over the lone panel, activating a series of holographic displays. The light from the displays reflected off his face. Anna and the scientists walked over to him to watch him work, while Jason stood next to Cooper.

  “I need to conduct an initial scan. It shouldn’t take too long, since we have your anatomical scans to use as a basis for comparison.” Bryce plunged his fingers into various images floating before his face.

  In response, a blue light radiating from beneath the beds swept over the two reclining bodies, producing a full color, three-dimensional image of each of them within the displays.

  Bryce examined the pictures. “Tomomi, Anna suggested that you have some medical training. Is that correct?”

  She paused for but a second. “I have some first aid training.”

  He pointed to the display of Cooper. “This one’s arms have an increased amount of blood in these areas, indicating injury. Is this correct?”

  “Yes.” She pointed to each limb in turn with her good arm as she spoke. “This one has two broken bones. And, this arm lost its hand when you shot and destroyed his weapon.” Tomomi’s accusing tone could not be mistaken.

  Without hesitation, Bryce answered, “I defended myself from his attacks and was just trying to disarm him. I did
not intend to bring harm to him.”

  “Well, you did! And now…”

  “Tomomi,” Cary interrupted. “He’s trying to reverse the damage done. Help him.”

  The anger faded from her eyes, and she turned back to their host. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I can begin immediate treatment on the first patient. Current estimated time for completion of the healing process is two glasal, eleven nathal, and forty radal.”

  “How long is that?” Cary looked confused.

  “I do not have a basis for comparison to translate the time increments.”

  Anna intervened, “I suspect that it’s less than a day, maybe a couple of hours.”

  Bryce continued, almost talking over Anna. “As for the second patient, I show that he has perished and has begun decaying. Repairing his injuries will take a bit longer.”

  “You can bring him back to life?” Jason exclaimed.

  Bryce nodded. “It is possible, but it is something we have never done before with one of your kind. While we prepare for the procedure, I would ask that we scan each of you to help us determine how to best proceed in resuscitating him.”

  “I’ll go first.” Anna casually raised her hand.

  “Actually,” Bryce said. “We already have you on file. We need the others.”

  Anna sensed the stares from her fellow humans and quickly looked at each of them with a bewildered look. “What? I had no idea that they had this information about me. I don’t know how they got it.”

  “They had to get it somehow,” Cary suggested. “Do you recall any time in the past where you have no memory of what you did?”

  “No, I remember everything…”

  Anna probed through her memories, back to the time when she had first entered the pyramid, shortly after her arrival on the moon. Kate had told her she had been missing for over a month after her unplanned trip into the caverns. Maybe that was when they got the information about her!

  “Bryce, when did you get all of this information about me?”

  “I cannot answer that.”

  Jason planted his hands on his hips. “And why not?”

  “That information is classified.”

  “I expected that,” Cary stated.