The figures moved slowly and cautiously, with scouts assigned to the front and each side of the column. The clear plastic helmets and Kevlar body suits made them look non-human to a casual observer; if any casual observers had been present. But aside from the group itself the area appeared deserted.
After several minutes the group reached the top of a low hill and halted, observing the scene beyond. Slightly to the side two of the figures removed their helmets and engaged in deep conversation. One was Kevin Murphy, the other the squad leader, Sergeant Lopez. Ahead and below the buildings of New Athens presented a scene of abandonment with their accumulation of years of windblown sand and dirt. Between and around the buildings sand had collected into windrows with occasional sparse vegetation.
Finally Kevin said, "bring Martin and the heat sensor forward, and also Swanson. He's your best shot, isn't he?"
Sergeant Lopez nodded, "and cool. He doesn't rattle easy."
Lopez motioned for Martin and Swanson to join them for instructions, following which the group moved down the hill, stopping once they reached the open area which the buildings faced. Most of the building entrances were closed, but several others also remained open, some with doors hanging from broken hinges.
Kevin pointed at the building with an open door from which the animals had emerged the day before, "we'll start with a search of that one. I'll take the lead, Lopez and Swanson the rear. Sergeant, put your laser rifle on 'stun'. I'll do the same with mine. Swanson, set yours to kill, and be prepared to back us up in an emergency. Martin, position yourself between and slightly ahead of Lopez and Swanson, and scan for any sign of life. Anything over a few kilograms in weight. Also put your weapon on kill."
Looking over at the remaining troopers, "the rest of you spread out and cover all sides of the building and each other as well. Don't let anything get out." Fastening his helmet, and putting his rifle at the ready, "remember, if the wild dogs, or wolfs, or whatever they are, are still here, the goal is to take at least one alive." To Sergeant Lopez, Kevin added, "I'll wait here with Swanson and Martin while you get the others in position."
Sergeant Lopez walked back to the remainder of the team, giving them their assignments and pointing out where he wanted them to stand. He continued to watch until they were all in position, then returned to where Kevin waited. Once Sergeant Lopez was back, Kevin motioned them forward, with, "remember, be careful, and cover each other. Lets go."
At the entrance of the first building Private Martin stepped slightly ahead, moving the heat sensor from side to side. "Nothing registers," he said. Slowly the group entered the building, weapons at the ready. The hallway was dim, almost dark for lack of windows, causing Kevin to use his flashlight to examine the interior. The floor was dust covered, disturbed by numerous animal tracks. Where a door off the corridor was open light filtered in from the windows in the adjoining rooms, reflecting off dust-motes suspended in the air. Moving from room to room the building was found to be vacant. No sign of life, but plentiful signs of former habitation in the form of clothing, furniture, and photographs. But no sign of human or any other kind of remains. There were, however, in many of the rooms as there had been in the hallway, animal tracks, both big and small, disturbing the thick dust that had settled everywhere.
Sergeant Lopez knelt down, examining some of the tracks. Kevin knelt beside him. "These larger ones look sort of canine, but the toes are much too long," Lopez commented.
Kevin nodded without responding.
Leaving, the team moved on to the next building with an open door, and then the next, with no life showing up on the heat sensor or in their exploration except some small rodents and some nesting birds under one of the roof overhangs. Over half the buildings had been examined and the one they now approached appeared no different than some of the others. "Oh, oh," Private Martin exclaimed, "I'm getting readings from that one."
"How large, how many?" Kevin asked.
"I can't tell; there could be several, but they're close together and the pattern merges," Martin responded. "From the heat profile the total mass would be roughly 200 to 300 hundred kilograms: if their heat output is that of normal mammals, equivalent to two to four men."
Sergeant Lopez motioned for the squad to take up positions around the building, and when everyone was ready, Kevin motioned Lopez, Martin and Swanson to follow him up the steps.
More light filtered into the hallway from the adjoining rooms than normal, most of the doors being off their hinges, and the dust in the corridor heavily disturbed. Private Martin pointed in the direction of the source of the heat, a room off the left of the corridor, about half way to the end. Kevin nodded, motioned for Private Martin to step behind himself and Lopez and Swanson, and quietly moved down the corridor toward the room indicated. Reaching the door, Kevin took up position at one side, with Sergeant Lopez at the other and Private Swanson about two meters away, all with their rifles at the ready. On Kevin's motion, Lopez stepped suddenly in front of the open door and indiscriminately sprayed the room with his rifle.
Motioning Martin and Swanson to watch the hall, Kevin and Lopez slowly entered the room, carefully approaching the two figures sprawled on the floor, watching for any movement. Standing back at a safe distance with their rifles aimed at the prone figures they watched as the shuttering caused by the stunned nervous systems eased, and they lay quietly on their sides. "God," Lopez exclaimed, "look at those things. They look like they were put together by a drunken sailor."
Powerfully built, the creatures had what looked like extremely powerful hind quarters and somewhat longer front legs, with all four feet tipped with abnormally long toes. Extending beyond the toes were long claws which, even as they watched, gradually receded into the toes until only the points showed. The strongly built neck, about half the length of the torso, was topped by a large head with gapping, powerful looking, tooth filled jaws. The entire head and body was covered with dark gray fur.
Lopez commented, after observing the creature for a moment, "I wonder, with those rear legs, if it's capable of standing upright."
Kevin knelt and carefully examined one of the creatures, "one hell of a drunken sailor. Look at the fangs and claws. Quite an efficient killing machine, I'd say." Lifting one of the front paws, "even if it can stand upright its normal mode is quadruped. All four pads are well calloused."
"I'd stand back if I were you," Lopez commented, "even a reflex action could rip you up pretty bad."
Kevin stood up and stepped back, then, "yeah, you're right. First have them secured, then make sure the rest of the rooms are clear. I'll stay here and watch these two until you get back "
The two creatures front and rear legs were rapidly secured and tied together, after which the mouths were tied shut. After they were fully secured Lopez backed out of the room into the hallway. Kevin went back to his examination of the unconscious creatures, but from a safe distance.
Within moments Kevin was jerked to attention by a scream, followed by the 'zit' of Swanson's laser rifle. Rushing from the room he saw Lopez on the floor across from the door of the adjacent room, held down by the dead body of another of the creatures. Rushing over to Lopez, Martin and Kevin pushed the animal's body to the side, freeing Lopez, who lay still for a moment, then started to get to his feet, blood streaming down his arm.
"Steady, Sergeant," Kevin cautioned, pushing him back down, "your arm's been pierced. It looks like the claws went right through the body armor." Adding, after looking at the paw of the dead creature, the claws still extended, "Jeeze, look at those claws. They must be 8 or 10 centimeters long. They look like knives. Martin, help me get him out."
Once outside Kevin assigned part of the squad to bind Lopez's wound and help him back to the shuttle, instructing them to bring back one of the vehicles to help transport the captives and also the dead animal. Kevin was certain an autopsy of one of the creatures would be wanted, and the captives were too valuable.
Taking the remaining men, Kevin went back i
nside, having Martin bring the scanner to make sure the rest of the building was clear. He also ordered an outside heat scan of each of the buildings they had not as yet searched but nothing showed up of any size. Apparently only the one building had been occupied.
It was some time before the sound of the small truck could be heard as it topped the rise and came into sight and soon stopped in front of the building where the three creatures lay waiting. Even when securely bound carrying the creatures out of the building had been no easy matter, as the two that had only been stunned started to recover and struggle against their bonds, claws extended. It was even more difficult to load them aboard; but the loading was soon accomplished and the vehicle slowly started back for the landing area; pacing itself to stay with the returning soldiers.
Later, back at the shuttle, Kevin sat on the ground next to Sergeant Lopez, who was laying in the shade of a cluster of trees a short distance from the landing craft. "Feeling better?" he asked.
"Better than new," Lopez responded, "that shot was as effective as half a dozen whiskeys. I'm floating, I think maybe I can fly back to the ship."
Kevin smiled, "don't get addicted. Stick with the whiskey if you can find any. If you feel up to it, tell me how it happened."
Lopez thought for a minute, "you know, if that thing had wings it would be more believable. The first thing I saw was it flying through the air from the back of the room. It must have been airborne for 5 or 6 meters."
Kevin nodded, "no wings I'm afraid, but awfully powerful hind legs. It just jumped that far. God, those things are dangerous; the two we captured can hardly be controlled even bound the way they are. And we thought from the pictures they were like dogs or wolves, not like that. I've never seen claws like those on anything, and the size of the teeth and power of the jaws is phenomenal."
"I don't know why it didn't show up on the heat scan. We had no hint it was even in the room," Lopez commented with a puzzled look.
"I talked to Private Martin, and I think we figured it out," Kevin responded. "It must have been crouched against the common wall with its heat signature merged with the two we stunned. A caution for the future; the heat sensor can be fooled."
Sergeant Lopez nodded, "well, that's one way to learn about the equipment. But a painful way."
Kevin got to his feet, motioning a couple of the men to pick up Sergeant Lopez and carry him to the shuttle, "maybe an hour and you'll be in the ship infirmary, the first battle casualty of the campaign; in the company of our new friends if you don't mind."
Leaving Lopez's side Kevin walked over to where the two captive Kraa were laying on their sides waiting to be loaded aboard the shuttle, two guards in attendance. Kevin went to within about a meter of the largest of the two and knelt on one knee. The tightly bound Kraa glared at Kevin. Its feet were bound together, and its toothed snout was tightly tied shut, but it continued to struggle, attempting to break its bonds as if intent on reaching its adversary. Recognizing the futility, the Kraa stopped its struggle and lay still, continuing to glare balefully.
"Intelligent, it learns fast," Kevin commented to one of the guards, "it knows when struggling is useless."
One of the guards pointed to the larger of the two Kraa, "did you see that, Captain? Around its neck."
Moving nearer Kevin noticed an object buried in the fur around the Kraa's neck fastened to a cord. Kevin called to two of the guards, and with their help to hold the creature firmly on the ground managed to remove the cord from its neck. Holding the object up, Kevin examined it closely. Attached to the cord was a stone disk with carving on the face.
Elsewhere, later that day . . . .
Eric sat cross-legged on the floor of the den. Nearby Hath and Hath-Boc crouched near Barco who lay in a semi-reclining position against a pile of furs. The low flames of the fire flickered, sending their shadows against the den walls. They had been gathered here for over an hour attempting to decide what the Torgai should do. Eric argued over and over again that the time to decide was short; something had to be done immediately before the decision was taken out of their hands by discovery by the humans. Events were moving too fast to delay.
"None of the suggestions are good," Hath said, "if we let the humans know where the village is they will come here and destroy us even with you to speak for us. Or they will destroy us before you have a chance to speak. If we try to go to them the Kraa will find us before we get there: and worse, if the Kraa find our trail, they will be able to backtrack and find the valley and the village. No, we can't take the chance."
Eric responded, "you both know the humans are a better alternative than the Kraa. With the way the Kraa are spreading it's only a matter of time before they find the village; and without the help of the humans you can't withstand the Kraa, we all know that. With the few Torgai left the humans won't view you as a threat, and once they discover the Kraa I think I can convince them the Torgai will be helpful in eliminating them as a threat. They'll find out fast they're a much bigger threat than the Torgai."
Barco and Hath kept their eyes on Eric, who had lowered his head for several seconds before continuing, "it won't be easy for the Torgai. Humans are an aggressive, intolerant people, who will in time come to control the whole planet. That's the way humans are, and they're unlikely to change." Looking directly into Barco's eyes, "but I think they'll accept the Torgai if they feel the Torgai don't threaten them, but not as equals. They'll insist that they have the best of the land, but I think will allow the Torgai to keep these higher regions or at least parts of it. But they'll soon realize the Kraa will always be a threat."
Nether Hath nor Barco responded, but sat in thought.
"Either we make contact or attempt to cross the mountains to the land to the east," Eric said, looking from Hath to Barco, “which could keep us safe for several years; maybe for many years, but find us they will. Whatever you decide, to stay here, to contact the humans, or to cross the mountains, I'll stay with you to help. And I've discussed it with Margie, and she'll stay also.”
Eric continued, “if the decision is to contact the colonists, Tommy, Jeff, and Amanda might want to stay, but they should to go to the colonists. They're still young, and must learn to live among their own kind. Bur even then Margie and I will stay with you to help work out any problems.”
Nothing was said for some time, until Eric added, “but if the decision is to try to contact the humans it has to be as soon as possible; before they discover us here."
Hath started to respond, but was silenced by Barco raising his hand. Motioning to his assistants to help him sit up, Barco raised his frail body to a sitting position before speaking.
"What both of you say is true," he said, "but, as Eric says, is there a choice? We cannot consider crossing the mountains. That land is taboo to the Torgai, and has always been so. Even if Hath and I were to agree on going there, the council of elders would never agree. I think we are the last of the Torgai; it has been years since I have linked minds with a fellow shaman. If other Torgai still exist they are hidden away without a shaman. And the Kraa will find us soon, they are too many and spreading too fast. Our only hope is to become friends with the humans."
Then, turning to face Hath, "but one thing you said was wrong. One of Eric's suggestions was good, and could work. He said he could make signals that the humans could see from above. Maybe not see right away, but see sometime. If, as he suggested, those signals were made at a place far from the village we would not be in danger here. If Eric is right, and he can convince the humans that we want to be friends, then later we could let them know where the village is."
Hath made no comment.
Barco continued, “they will find us someday anyway. If not them, then the Kraa. Years ago, before we found this valley, we stayed for over a year in another place many days distance away. You should take Eric there to make his signals. Would you agree to that?"
Hath thought for several moments, then responded, "yes, what you say is good. With the Kraa we have
no chance; and some of us could return to the old place and stay there while Eric makes his signals." Turning to Eric, "how long before they would see?"
Eric shrugged, "could be days, could be months. It depends on when they happen to come near that area and what type of signals we use. We can't use smoke or anything that could bring the Kraa. Probably some markings on the ground visible from above would be best; very large markings. If large enough they might even be visible from the orbiting ships, otherwise we'd have to wait for a scoutplane flyover which could take months; but eventually it would be sighted."
No one said anything and Eric added, "that valley Barco mentions might be ideal for a signal location. The elevation is fairly low, and it's open enough to allow a large signal but sheltered enough to shield us from the Kraa. That assumes the Kraa haven't become active in that area; it's isolated enough but it may still be within their hunting range. Which means we need a large enough force to protect ourselves from a pack of up to a dozen Kraa."
"It is decided then?" Barco asked.
Both Eric and Hath indicated their agreement, and with that the meeting ended.
CHAPTER 3 The Kraa Threat
(June 7, Year 20): Normally Kevin didn't attend the weekly staff meetings in the flagship, but today he had gone up on the early morning shuttle to present status on securing the landing site. While the meetings were usually scheduled to start at 8 AM and end by 9:30, today it had started at 7 AM, and run on until after 11:00AM. The early start had made it necessary to get up at 4:00AM to catch the shuttle, whose departure time had also been advanced by an hour. Now he just wanted to relax as the shuttle descended to the planet, the faint crackling of the heat shield reaching to those inside.
The normal status reports of the various departments hadn't taken much time but the discussion of the landing site and the situation with security had dragged on. The findings on the dog-like creatures they had encountered consumed much of the time, including the preliminary autopsy results of the dead specimen. Charley Tanaka, head of colony administration and construction, had presented the information on preparation and location of the landing site, and Kevin, jointly with Sarah Manata, had presented the information on security threats that might be imposed by the 'dog' creatures or the Torgai. Sarah had suggested, for convenience, they be referred to as Kraa, a creature identified in the notes of Eric Moffa from the prior colonization attempt, since the characteristics of the existing specimens appeared to match those described.
Resurrection: Book II: Settlement Chronicals Page 3
