Valiant (Jurassic War Universe Book 1)

by Kristoff Chimes

  Dax managed to twist his body around without causing a power-dive. He struck out at his assailant.

  “Hold still, Dax.”

  “Fyre?”

  At the far side of the abyss, Dax slipped and fell. He hit the ground and rolled. He looked up at a hundred flaming arrows arc through the air.

  Fyre dropped into a steep power glide. There seemed no way she’d pull safely out of it.

  She collided into him. Together, they rolled to the edge of the abyss and over the side. Instinctively, he thrust out his hand and grabbed at the first thing. Fyre’s hand.

  And the second. A tree branch. The fatal sound of the branch splintering, forced him to let go. He grabbed at the tree’s roots. It held firm as they dangled off the edge.

  He looked down at her smile.

  “I hear,” he said, “some people do this on a first date of the rest of their lives together.”

  She shook her head. “Maybe we should just skip ahead to the point where we kill each other to save on divorce lawyer fees.”

  “I like that better.”

  She crawled over his body and he felt they were consciously avoiding each other’s gaze.

  They crawled into the shelter of the cavern.

  A scream cut through Dax.

  Fyre pointed at the light at the end of the tunnel.

  “The surface. The others are under attack.”

  They ran along the tunnel. Where it intersected with another, Fyre thought she recognized a shadow lurking. The shadow turned away and ran off down the second tunnel.

  She knew she had to follow. “Meet you at the foot of Temple Mountain,” Fyre said and ran after the shadow before Dax could talk her out her decision.

  CHAPTER 82 - REUNION

  Zania Tebrok adjusted the telescopic sights on her crossbow as she aimed at Fyre. She watched as Fyre ran across the clearing to the foot of Temple Mountain. Fyre expertly weaved through the smoke billowing from burning arrow heads.

  Zania felt her anger boil her blood.

  She has no right to be this accomplished. I am the one who sweat blood for this world. Sacrificed my dreams, my desires for the greater good. Not her.

  Zania waited for the moment Fyre’s taunt expression eased with the certainty of safety amongst the narrow gullies of the mountain. She dropped from her position high up on a bluff. Like a cat toying with its prey, she landed softly behind Fyre and drew her Makhaira.

  Fyre spun around with the practiced precision Zania knew so well. She lashed out with a double punch to the head and a volley of slaps. Zania blocked them all.

  She caught the last slap, twisting Fyre’s hand and clamping it tight with a nerve pinch that would cause most opponents to bite off their own tongues from the pain.

  But not Fyre.

  She forced Fyre onto her knees. “Greetings, traitor,” Zania said and spat in Fyre’s face.

  Fyre looked up with disdain. “Treachery is for history to define,” she said.

  “Are those the noble words you blinded our father with?” Zania asked.

  “If you care anything for the soul of Vanguard’s people then release me.”

  Zania squeezed harder.

  Fyre refused to relent and this made Zania hate her more.

  “You were always the favorite child,” Zania said. “Pampered. Cosseted. Indulged to the point where you ruined House Von Rha. Look where it’s brought you. On your knees.”

  Zania ignited her Makhaira. She pushed Fyre’s head forward, exposing her neck. She raised the blade and watched its flames defiantly reflected back in Fyre’s eyes.

  “Any last words?”

  ***

  Codi stood just inside the tunnel exit.

  Vanguard archers hid amongst a rock formation that ran along the perimeter of a vast clearing. Hundreds of humans dropped with each wave of flaming arrows. The stench of burning flesh pummeled his senses.

  Thousands ran blindly across the clearing to the foot of a mountain cliff face. Some made it to the first of a series of bluffs that spiraled up the cliff face. But they were picked off by arrows and fell like stones into the ocean far below.

  Through tears in his eyes he watched Glaw slip away down a narrow side-tunnel and reappear behind a circular rock formation on the perimeter of the clearing.

  “Glaw,” he cried. But Glaw didn’t stop or even slow down.

  Codi ran down the narrow tunnel.

  He caught up with Glaw. Found him crouching down behind a rocky outcrop patrolled by Vanguards.

  “Glaw, wait up.”

  Glaw turned to Codi, but avoided meeting his gaze. “What’s up, kid?”

  “You’re leaving us?”

  “What of it?”

  Codi felt a sharp pang in his heart. “Without saying goodbye?”

  Glaw shrugged. “Look about you, kid. You want to stay for the final act?”

  “But I thought--”

  “Come with me.”

  Codi glanced over his shoulder. Smoke billowed off the burning bodies. He couldn’t see anyone alive that he recognized.

  “What about Bron?” Codi asked.

  “What about her?”

  “I can’t just leave her.”

  “She’ll die happy in the arms of her sailor boy. What does she need us for?”

  “But I thought we were--”

  Glaw reached out and grabbed Codi. He pulled him down to his knees and placed a claw to his lips to silence Codi. A Vanguard legionnaire leapt out at them.

  Glaw rose up to his full height. With one powerful swipe of his claws, he sliced off the Vanguard’s head.

  “We got to go, kid,” Glaw said. “Decide. Now.”

  ***

  Dax sprinted to the tunnel exit. Thousands huddled just inside. He pushed his way through the throng of humans until he came to a vast circle clearing surrounded on all sides by a rock formation. Thousands more humans seemed trapped in the clearing. Pinned down by a succession of flaming arrows.

  Dozens at a time ran back to the tunnel entrance and each time were cut down.

  He found Sacerdos.

  “How’d they find us so quickly?” Dax asked.

  “Brethren are deserting the cause.”

  “Brethren?”

  “Priests with second-sight.”

  “Now you tell me?”

  Sacerdos shrugged. “The priority is the seven. These other humans are of no concern compared to the fate of billions.”

  Gun-fire peppered the rock formation. The constant hail of flaming arrows dwindled to nothing. A small group climbed down from the rock formation and crossed the clearing to the tunnel entrance.

  By the light of burning bodies, Dax recognized their leader.

  “Argyle?”

  She seemed weary as she waved an assault rifle at him. “Commander.”

  He counted a dozen marines, followed slowly by another dozen Ursu. All were bruised and covered in blood.

  Her solemn expression and narrowing eyes seemed to suggest she wasn’t best pleased to see him.

  Maybe I’m just paranoid?

  The tall figure of marine Sergeant Van Cleef made up the rear.

  “It’s good to see you, Argyle.”

  They shook hands.

  “You too, Commander,” she said, but her eyes said something else. “Where did all these people come from?”

  “Hermes.”

  “The Vanguard held them prisoner?

  Dax nodded.

  “But why, Commander?”

  “Your report, first, Argyle. Thought we’d lost you for good.”

  She sighed. “Arena guards cut off my exit. I backtracked to the cells, overpowered the entries and released our marines. From there we teamed up with these Polars and other Ursu. We followed the pursuing legionnaires and figured you were heading for Temple bluff.

  “We took a short cut, overpowered the temple sentries and here we are.”

  “So you didn’t encounter the main force?” Dax asked.

  She shook her
head. “I’m assuming they are hot on your tail. I’m surprised they’re not here already.”

  “Managed to delay them. Temporary, but maybe enough time to set up a defense position. Thoughts?”

  “We scouted the area before we took out the temple sentries, Commander. Seems the best location to defend is this area... if we can secure the high ground. I can deploy our marines, but we’ll need the Ursu to help.”

  “Think they will?”

  “We’re all in the same bind together, Commander.”

  “OK, I’ll leave you to devise tactics, but brief me later.”

  He turned to leave.

  “Commander, all these people?”

  “It’s a long story. The short of it is they are test subjects for some gruesome experimentation. Seems the Vanguards need to produce a human Vanguard hybrid.”

  “You do know when the Vanguard force arrives, most of these people are going to die in the first wave of attack.”

  “So long as enough survive to tell their tale.”

  “How we getting off this rock, Commander?”

  “I’m working on that.

  “Do you think Valiant will try a rescue?”

  “We can’t expect Valiant to break the Accord.”

  “So in some ways it’s convenient for everyone. Better for the Vanguards and better for the USF, if we all die here today?”

  “That about sums it up, Argyle.”

  “As much as I don’t want to die, thanks to your actions, it’s better if we do.”

  “I’m sorry for getting you and your marines into this mess, Argyle.”

  “With respect, that doesn’t cut it, Commander. Just to give you the heads up. If we do get off this planet. I’m obliged to immediately place you under arrest for contravening the Peace Treaty.”

  Dax shrugged. “Ironic, isn’t it?”

  “What is?”

  “You and I trying to save the human race, only to die by the rules on a scrap of paper not worth its weight in dino-dung.”

  She let a half smile escape.

  “Only difference between us, Commander, is marines don’t do irony. We always expect the crap to hit us.”

  Van Cleef glanced up at the night sky as the last of the suns vanished over the horizon.

  “Vanguards hunt best at night,” Van Cleef said.

  A scream forced Dax to turn toward the tunnel. One of the human passengers ran from the tunnel. Flames engulfed him. He reached Dax and fell at his feet.

  Van Cleef couldn’t bear to hear the screams. He raised his weapon and shot the burning human with a single bullet.

  Dead.

  “We’re out of time, Commander,” Van Cleef said.

  Dax shouted, “Everyone to the cliffs.”

  “Where’s Glaw?” Myf asked

  “Where’s Codi?” Bron asked.

  Myf felt her stomach backflip. She swallowed hard. “It’s all my fault.”

  “What are you talking about? Where are they?”

  Myf fought back tears.

  After all this time he finally abandoned me.

  “I pushed him too hard to be a good person,” Myf said. “I shouldn’t have tried to make him my--”

  Bron grabbed Myf’s shoulders and shook her.

  “Where is my brother?”

  “Gone.”

  “What do mean ‘gone’?”

  “Glaw took Codi.”

  “Took him? Where?”

  Myf shrugged off Bron’s grip.

  “Listen to me, Myf. My brother can’t survive without his medication.” She held up a thin tube inhaler. “Where did Glaw take Codi?”

  “To find the nearest ship and get off Vanguard.”

  “They’re coming back right?”

  ***

  Fyre swallowed hard. “I feel your pain.”

  Zania gripped the handle of the Makhaira tighter as if she wrestled a python.

  “What do you know of pain?”

  “Sol Morlok. I know you wish he looked at you like he looks at me,” Fyre said. “Zania, I know you love him. I feel your heart yearn for his touch. I feel your sorrow for the blindness he looks at you with.”

  “Blindness...” Zania felt a bitter laugh escape her lips. “He knows. He just doesn’t care. Not while you live.”

  “But I did not ask for an arranged marriage.”

  “Your rejection of Sol dishonored our family. The shame could cost me the respect of my troops, my career, and my life.”

  “Given the choice I would bless a union between you and Sol.”

  “Your willful disregard for political power between the houses of Vanguard disgusts me,” said Zania. “When you broke off the engagement, you enraged Sol and broke father’s heart. Our house is ruined. And for what? The love of a human?”

  “I cannot love Sol and I do not love a human. It is forbidden.”

  “It is. And yet you do. I see it. I feel your pain.”

  “Join us, Zania. The cause is just. You know it’s true.”

  “I know you care for nothing and no one except your selfish desires. Even now, father forgives you. But I? I am a shadow of the night in father’s eyes. The shadow who must flee whenever Ruber and Caeruleus rise in your eyes. Or be eviscerated by father’s disappointment.”

  Zania felt the weight of the flaming blade like a lifetime of jealousy weighing her down. She felt it fall from her fingers. It skewered the rock between Fyre’s knees.

  Fyre felt the flames of the blade scorch her hair, her skin, and her memories of their childhood together. The blade extinguished and vanished into Zania’s sheath.

  “What now?” Fyre said. “Can we survive this?”

  She glanced up and realized Zania had gone.

  She heard a voice call softly down from the shadows and the rocks above.

  “Next time, Fyre, carry a blade and the conviction to use it. For I shall.”

  CHAPTER 83 - GLAW’S BETRAYAL

  Glaw and Codi waited in the shadows in the deserted cobbled street. The neon sign above the casino read: Raznuki’s place.

  “Who’s Raznuki?” Codi asked.

  “Just some broad who’s crazy about me?”

  “What’s a broad?”

  “Don’t you know your twentieth century Earth slang?” Glaw said. “Man, I live and breathe it. You guys were awesome back then. Beetles. Beach Boys. Wombles. A total riot.

  “Except for that loser, Hitler. His mate Stalin was a total loser too. But the worst of them was that dude who cooked his girlfriend’s kitten in the microwave oven. Then he ate it and then--”

  “How’s any of that useful to me in the twenty second century, Glaw?”

  “How else you going to know what a broad is?”

  Codi blinked. Hard. Twice.

  “So what’s the plan, Glaw?”

  “We need to get lucky on the Wheel of Blood.”

  “Wheel of Blood?”

  “It’s like roulette. You pick your poison, spin the wheel and walk away with a fortune. Or run. Depends.”

  “Gambling?”

  “Yeah, why, you’re not against it on religious grounds or something?”

  “I got no money, Glaw.”

  “Who needs money, cub? We take what we need.”

  A long black limousine glided up to the front door.

  “Here comes our ticket to ride, kid.”

  The chauffeur stepped out. But instead of opening a door to let out a passenger, he walked around the corner and stood in the shadows. He unzipped his pants and urinated up the side of the casino.

  “Time to get groovy, kid,” Glaw whispered.

  “Huh?”

  Glaw rushed up behind the chauffeur. He watched the burgeoning yellow puddle at the chauffeur’s feet. He figured the Vanguard was armed with a plasma pistol he kept in a shoulder holster under his uniform.

  “Excuse me, my good man,” Glaw said and tapped the guy on the shoulder. “Could you direct me to your worst nightmare?”

  The chauffeur spun around an
d sprayed Glaw.

  Glaw punched him in the jaw and caught him before he hit the ground. When he realized he’d been sprayed he let the Vanguard drop into his own puddle.

  Glaw searched the Vanguard and found a small, but lethal plasma pistol and a leather shoulder holster. He stretched out the holster as far as possible without snapping it and slid it over his own shoulder.

  He carried the chauffeur and shoved him into the front passenger seat. He then whistled to Codi.

  Codi leapt out of the shadows.

  “Climb in the back, kid.”

  Codi slipped into the back of the car and found a seat just as the casino door opened. A fat Vanguard male dressed in expensive clothes stepped out. He carried a large, heavy-looking bag. Two human females, a blonde and a brunette, both wearing short gold silk dresses accompanied him.

  The near side rear door opened automatically and the man stepped into the limo. The two women followed.

  The doors slid shut and the locks clicked.

  The man fell into a luxurious fur lined seat and huddled his bag. When he saw Codi sat opposite, he jolted.

  “Whose slave are you”? the Vanguard said.

  The blonde human woman caught Codi’s eye and mouthed the words, Run.

  “You a runaway looking for sanctuary?” the Vanguard asked.

  Codi shook his head.

  “Good.” He licked his lips. “I have a taste for young human blood. I’ll pay you by the hour.”

  Codi shook his head.

  “Then what do you want?” said the Vanguard as he tried to shove his bag behind him. “You think you can rob me?”

  “No, sir,” Codi said. “But he does.”

  “Who?”

  The tinted partition window lowered. Glaw reached over from the driver’s seat and punched the Vanguard in the face.

  The Vanguard slumped down his seat. His unblinking eyes stared at Codi.

  “You killed him?” the brunette asked.

  “Sorry,” Glaw said. “My fist has an inbuilt slime eradicator. Gets carried away with itself.”

  The brunette sighed. “Who do we have to thank for the night off, big guy?”

  “Glaw’s the name. Love is my game.”

  Codi put his head in his hands and shook t from side to side. “How did Myf stand it for as long as she did?” Codi mumbled.