by Raylan Kane
“Let’s go!” I said, yelling at the surviving group. Bullet holes open up just behind me. Two more recruits fall, blood flies all over. I slide down to the side door and thrust myself out with my legs. Other planes appear to be on fire. I see two chutes open and on fire. I’m in freefall; the ground seems to remain where it is. A rush of air steals my breath – I can only open my eyes for a few seconds at a time. It’s then that I realize I’d dropped my helmet and goggles back on the plane. To my left two recruits spin uncontrollably; their chute cords intertwined, they spiral toward certain death.
The painted targets are clear. I see streams of gunfire all around. Someone must have miscalculated something – I don’t think the shooting was supposed to go anywhere near the planes – and definitely not take out a High Command leader.
The ground is closer – I need to wait a few more seconds. I must win. Just a few more seconds. The targets are larger. Pull!
I blast upward; I have no control. Then, nothing – everything goes quiet except for bursts of gunfire that are now easier to hear. I float down. I grab the handles on either side of me. As I pull I am able to control my direction. A minor jolt radiates as a shot goes through my chute. I curl left and I’m directly over a target. I am coming down fast – too fast. The target grows larger – slam! I land hard on my right side; not a graceful landing, but it probably looked worse than it felt.
I remove my pack and drag my chute to the grass. Two soldiers come over, get my name and take away my chute. “What the curses happened up there?” They ignore my yells.
One of the fallen jumpers caved in the roof of a bus. Today has been an absolute disaster, I’m surprised their allowing this exercise to continue. I am fortunate to make it down with just one bullet hole. More jumpers fall all over the airstrip. Plane wreckage litters the grounds. I run for the shelter of the terminal.
Inside the terminal a crowd of recruits shout at a few leaders standing in front of them. The leaders are trying to calm the crowd. I cannot make out what they’re saying as I walk around the rear of the group. I tap the recruit in front of me.
“What is everyone saying?”
“The leaders have said that this is all an accident. They had many groups of shooters and there were some mis-measurements, and miscommunication. It’s a mess.”
“Yes it is. Why do they keep the thing going?”
“There are still some shooters who don’t even know they’ve hit some of the planes. Apparently radio communication is down,” she said.
“So every recruit made it into the air?”
“I think so.”
“This is foolish – there could be a lot of people dead out there,” I said.
“Yes, just be glad you’re not one of them.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
When the exercise was finally over, 72 recruits were killed, along with 12 pilots and support staff. You can bet none of this will be reported to the citizens of Region Thiel or to the rest of Sydin at large. This will be kept in-house and under wraps. One of the recruits who pays attention to this kind of thing says it was the single deadliest day in the history of the Grim.
I grab my tray full of food and look to find Milne. She sits with Trident at the far end of the Mess.
“What took you so long?” Trident said.
“They were bringing out a new batch of broil,” I said.
“Ah, yes, broil – the only way this man will eat clone.”
“Is that true?” Milne said.
“I admit nothing. I’ve already been to prison once.”
“Twice,” Milne said, smiling.
“Right – twice. About that, have you guys heard anything about who they think may have killed those High Command guys in the wellness center.”
“Nope – I haven’t heard anything,” Trident said.
“You’re going to bring that up now?” Milne said. “On today of all days?”
“Well, I was just wondering if you guys knew anything?”
“How would we know anything more than you know?” Trident said.
“I don’t know. Sorry. Fine. Let’s just eat.”
“You know I heard they may cut the Grim short this year, based on what happened out there today,” Trident said.
“Believe it when I see it,” I said.
“One of the guys from Vorn – he told me he knows a miss in the High Command. He says she told him that because of the deaths of some high ranking officials, and considering the deaths of some of the pilots they may move the final stage up to tomorrow. He said they’re evacuating Furion City as we speak.”
“Evacuating the city?” Milne said.
“That’s what he told me,” Trident said.
“Why would you need to evacuate a whole city? And what does that have to do with moving up the final stage to tomorrow?” I said.
“Don’t look at me – I’m just repeating what I heard.”
I grab a recruit walking by wearing Jye’s maroon colors. “Excuse me, have you heard anything about the leadership evacuating Furion City?”
“Heard about it? They’re doing it right now. Have a look for yourself,” the recruit said.
The three of us jump from the table and rush to the front of the stone building. Dozens of recruits stand watching as the road north is jammed with long buses full of people as far as the eye can see. The buses roll forward slowly, stretching from the south near the city, north, up the hill and well out of view.
“What is going on?” I said.
“Whatever it is,” Trident said. “It isn’t good.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
After the dust settled from yesterday’s carnage, Rygart was awarded first place for that stage for landing center target without any holes in his chute. I placed second, Milne was fourth, and Trident placed 826th.
Trident and I were supposed to finish top three overall, but after Trident’s 908th place finish on day one and low finish today he will not finish in the top three. It may not matter though – given that two stages are being knocked out due to what’s happened, maybe the High Command will see fit to give Trident a pass.
“I don’t want to hear any more about the Grim,” Milne said.
She and I are sitting on our hill behind the stone building – well away from everyone else. On the backside of the hill we can see a small field lead into a beautiful leafy forest that throws shadows all over as the sun sets.
“No problem – I’m through speaking of it,” I said. “It is beautiful out here.”
“So peaceful,” Milne said.
“I’m so happy to be here with you.”
“You are?”
“Yes. I’ve dreamt of this very moment – right here.”
“You had a dream about me? Tell me more.”
“When don’t I dream about you? That’s a better question.”
“Smooth.”
“Aren’t I?”
She laughs. I look into her eyes – her face turns serious. She holds my hand and leans forward. I feel her long eyelashes against my cheek as I close my eyes and we kiss. I want to stay right here forever. She sits up. I open my eyes and she smiles. “That was nice,” she said.
“I know,” I said.
“Oh you know do you?” She smiles at me with an eyebrow raised. “You know, I was thinking.”
“What were you thinking?”
“Guess.”
“I’m terrible at guessing.”
“Well – the sun is going down. The trees are right over there – there’s no one else around.”
I smile as my heart leaps up into my throat.
“Hey!” A miss stands on the hill behind us. “Are you Bramen?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah – uh, someone from leadership wants to talk to you. They’re in the Mess. They said it wouldn’t take long,” the miss said.
“Did they say what it’s about?”
“Nope – just said that it
’s urgent.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I look at Milne who appears a bit deflated. “Will you wait here? I’ll come right back.”
“Okay,” she says.
I kiss her on the forehead and walk behind the miss across the field. As I walk the miss ahead of me runs fast until she’s far ahead of me and she disappears into the stone building. I get closer to the building and as I approach I see row of dark figures before me. Rygart steps forward from among them. As I stand in front of the group I see it’s a mixture of recruits wearing varying colors – including five misters in a black uniform, and the three recruits I put in the wellness center along with Rygart back in Hyll.
“You think you have a shot of winning the whole thing tomorrow?” Rygart said. He steps close to me.
“That’s close enough – and yeah, I’d say I have a pretty good chance. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have someone from leadership waiting for me.”
“That someone is me,” one of the men wearing a black uniform said.
I turn to leave calmly recognizing the ambush. Rygart grabs me and I slam him in the side of his head with my two fists clasped together.
“Get him!” Rygart said.
The men crowd around me swinging punches. I drop two of them with shots to the face. The group has my shirt and they pull in different directions. There’s too many of them; I lose my balance and fall to the ground. I pull my arms in by my face as they kick at me and stomp on my legs. I feel my knees pop out of joint. Pain everywhere. They pull my arms away and I feel kicks hitting my face. I taste blood.
I roll to my back. I’m having a hard time breathing. My vision is cloudy. I cannot move. Rygart grabs a fistful of my hair and holds my head up. “I know you were out there at the hill with my girlfriend,” he said. “Don’t you worry, we’ll take good care of her.”
A foot stomps my neck, I grab my neck and someone breaks my arm. A boot slams into my-
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
“Bramen, can you hear me?” I can, Trident. I cannot speak. I can’t see anything. The pain – everywhere. “Bramen? It’s Trident, you’re in a wellness center in Deahs – Furion City’s closed due to the evacuation - they brought you here. Bramen? Stay with me; they say you’re lucky to be alive – Bram-“
“There you are. Bramen? You’ve got to stay awake. If you can hear me move your finger.” I cannot move a thing. “Bramen, don’t worry – I got you out - wellness center – they didn’t know what - I managed to - stole the truck - I’m taking you – Swill-“
“I didn’t think I’d ever see – what about – how did this –“
“You sure – how – cells? Bram- some time – back – Fold.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
The room is dim. Birds are awake, I hear them chirping outside. Everything is quiet except for the snorer four beds over. I look at the clock on the counter – 5:47. I feel as though I’ve been in a long coma. I am groggy, but not so much that I’ve lost touch with reality. I know this is not a dream. So much pain not so long ago – I feel under the covers – I run my hands over my body – I move my legs around and flex my knees; I feel good. Even the minor knee injury I’d suffered from for the past few days is gone. And I’m in the barracks; if everyone is still here that must mean we’re still in the Grim. How? How am I here?
I rise and walk to the showers. The hard spray and the hot water invigorate me. I am grateful to be alive – actually happy to be here, of all places. Two more recruits step into the showers. I step out and towel off. My body feels brand new – there is not one bruise or scratch on me. I don’t know what happened – how can this be possible?
Most of the recruits have risen. I am dressed and I walk to the Mess. I sit in silence as I chew my broil. Maybe Trident is right, maybe I am lucky.
“There he is,” Trident said. He walks over and sits across from me. “How do you feel?”
“Strangely great.”
“Stem cells – they work every time.”
“Stem cells? The wellness center had stem cell therapy? That’s illegal.”
“You were a mess. I got you out of the wellness center. I borrowed one of their laundry trucks and smuggled you north.”
“You stole a wellness center truck?”
“I put it back.”
“So when you say you smuggled me north – you mean north to Hyll?”
“Yes. I found our old friend – the fleshik – still old, still drunk – wasting away in Vile’s Swill.”
“You saved my life.”
“Yes – fair to say.”
“Thank you, friend.”
“Don’t mention it – I owed you. And you can remember this later today when you save me from certain death on the cliffs.”
“Anyone say anything about the town being evacuated?”
“Not just the town, the whole area around us – all gone. We were told last night that when we leave for today’s event we’re to bring everything with us and leave it on the bus during the day. No idea why.”
“Something is going on – I don’t think it’s good.”
“You think it has something to do with the Grim?”
“What else could it be?” I said.
I hear a squeal behind me and feel Milne’s arms wrap around me. “You look so good.”
“Likewise.”
“Should I leave?” Trident said.
“Don’t be foolish, finish your meal,” I said.
Milne sits beside me and grins. “Look at you,” she said. “You look brand new.”
“I feel brand new. I am so happy to see you.”
Milne pulls my shirt toward her and kisses me hard. Trident nearly chokes on his broil.
“I missed you,” she said. “I was so worried. I can’t believe they did that to you.”
“Aw, I missed you too.” I look at Trident, “about them – where are those guys this morning?”
“Doing their regular morning routine like everyone else I suppose. Why?”
“Because today is the last day of the Grim and Rygart and I are tied. I don’t trust him.”
“For obvious reasons,” Milne said. “But he’s too much of a coward to try anything out in the open.”
“I’m still not sure what to do about it,” I said.
“What do you mean? Why do you have to do anything? Just be happy you’re alive and well – and that Trident found that fleshik,” Milne said. “I don’t want you to take revenge – I want you here with me. You’re not allowed to leave me again.”
I smile – Trident looks embarrassed. “What’s the matter, Trident? You look a little red over there.”
“You two – you guys are ridiculous together.”
“I was worried about you,” I said to Milne. “They said they were going to do something to you. What happened?”
“I saw them coming. I hid in the trees until they gave up looking for me.”
“Are you going to report all of this?” Trident said.
“No.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Milne said.
“I don’t need to – I can handle this myself.”
“There were too many of them last night for you to handle. You worry me when you talk like that.”
“Rygart won’t always have that many guys with him.”
“I don’t like this – you need to promise me you will not draw this thing out any longer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean no more fighting.”
“Milne – I need to-“
“No – no more fighting. I mean it.”
“But I-“
“Not another word, unless it’s you promising me.”
“Okay.”
“What’s that?”
“I said okay.”
“Okay what?”
“Okay, I promise – no more fighting,” I said as I roll my eyes.
“Good, that’s settled. Once the Grim is over
today, you don’t ever have to see that fool again anyway.”
“I just want to state for the record that Bramen, you can fight to protect me any day,” Trident said.
“Trident, don’t encourage him.”
Walking back from the Mess to the barracks, I don’t see Rygart or any of his henchmen. Nor do I see any of them when we form up in front of the buses. I also notice another familiar face is missing as we watch the last of the buses roar onto the courtyard. I lean toward Ri. “Where’s Warell?”
“Gone – yesterday – his plane; he didn’t make it.”
The leadership prattles on with the same words they use every time we board the buses. As we line up in front of the doors like cattle a loud mechanical sound echoes on the wind. The high pitch rings in the ears and plumes of smoke rise above Furion City.
The bus turns north and as expected heads for the Cliffs of Ro. I look up through my window and see huge flocks of birds flying north; strange.
Hundreds of recruits stand facing the cliffs across the water. We are all given rock climbing gear; boots, vests, helmets, gloves, but no ropes. Once all of the buses emptied they turned around further up the dirt road we’re on and headed for the main road and went north. Usually the buses wait for us until the end of the event. The leadership explains that we must free climb the 2,222 foot cliffs – first to the top wins.
We follow the leaders along a dirt path that skirts along the left shore of the crystal blue lake that lies at the base of the cliffs. Many recruits cannot help but stare at the sheer height of the rocky face – I choose to keep my eyes focused at my own level, not wanting to psych myself out and bring me out of my relaxed state. We reach the base of the cliffs – without looking up I can only assume the top of the cliffs from this vantage point are at some imperceptible place beyond the few clouds that always hang around this area. Thousands of birds screech overhead as the mass exodus from the areas south of us continues. Our instructions are simple, when the horn sounds, start climbing and do not stop until you reach the summit – do not look up – do not look down.
