Whispers of the Skyborne (Devices of War Book 3)

by S. M. Blooding

  “Okay. Then how do we get up there?”

  “I’m atmospherics, sir,” the man grumbled, returning his attention to his screen, “not a damned magician.”

  My eyes widened as I turned away, trying hard not to smile. How long had it been since anyone had the courage to be so genuine around me? “Jamilah.”

  She shrugged, watching the letharan veil as we drifted beneath it. “Kaarle knows what he’s talking about. If he says we shouldn’t go up, then we shouldn’t.”

  “And how do you propose we get the Umira Nuru on the ground?”

  Jamilah shrugged. “I can’t come up with all the ideas, sir.”

  “Kaarle, what are the wind speeds?”

  He flicked the corner of his eye. “Wind gusts up to a hundred and nineteen kilometres per hour.”

  “Sustained?”

  He shrugged. “Not really sustained. More just gusts, but over a hundred kilometres per hour.”

  “You weren’t with us when we rode the heart of the storm.”

  His shoulders sagged as he leaned against his screen. “No, I wasn’t, and I’m glad I wasn’t.”

  I watched the waves rolling over us, the depressions of their passing digging deep. “How big is the storm?”

  “Covers the whole damn screen, sir.” Kaarle licked his lips and tipped his head to the side. “However, it is moving north, along the eastern coast of Kiwidinok and it has hit land. It should be dampening soon.”

  “And how quickly until we’re clear of it?”

  He rolled his eyes, flopping his hand. “A few hours.”

  “Wa-sna-win,” I said quietly. “What reports from Peacock Rock.”

  “A lot of chatter, sir.” She shook her head. “The Han has land movers and tunneling devices. They’ve breached Rose Cavern.”

  I frowned, not knowing the significance.

  She glanced at me, made another note, shoved it toward Jamilah, and looked back up at me. “That’s where the children and elders were.”

  I straightened, my grip on her chair tightening. “Are they alright?”

  “For now. He had them moved to the west side of the island.”

  To the cliff wall? What was he thinking? There weren’t enough breathing masks for them to escape via the ocean, and in these waters, that would have been extremely dangerous. As dangerous as being captured by the Han? I didn’t know, but there was one thing I knew for certain. Those people were trapped.

  “Is there any way to get Garrett on the line?”

  Wa-sna-win shook her head. “I barely have his communication tech. The Han has breached two other tunnels. Garrett’s caved them in, but their tunneling devices are strong and fast.”

  “Do you know where most of Garrett’s people are?”

  She shook her head.

  “Synn,” Jamilah said, her voice quiet. “I need orders.”

  We needed to get Haji’s people on land, draw some of the attention away from Garrett’s people and find a way to get them off those cliffs. Though, truth be told, as long as they stayed there and as long as the Han didn’t win the battle, the cliff might very well be the best place for them.

  No. We had to engage.

  “We’re going up.”

  Kaarle clucked his tongue.

  “Lash, we did it before.” I walked to the center of the command room to stand beside Jamilah. “Wa-sna-win, radio the Basilah and the Najmah. I want Ryo and Najat on the ready. Tell them to prepare their Hand weapons. The Hans’ equipment is made of pleron.”

  “So, lightning guns, too,” Jamilah ordered.

  Wa-sna-win repeated the orders into her mic.

  Lash fought the water. Ghaz assisted, both grunting at each other as they fought to keep the Layal from flipping.

  I fought to remain upright. I gripped the edge of the radar console for better support.

  “I might want to invest in chairs,” Jamilah grunted at me.

  I quirked my lips at her, but kept my attention on the view ahead.

  The waves rolled with a sort of rhythm. Nodding, I pulled myself toward Lash’s chair and pointed to the space just behind the next rolling foam of the wave. “Do you see? Just there. Aim for that and flow with it.”

  “But the wave will take us before we even get there.”

  “Don’t take us so high just yet. Go under the force of the wave and bring us up on its rise.”

  He gave the barest of nods.

  Following the base of the wave was surprisingly calm. We rose, following the water’s rise until we broke on the back side of it. Dark green clouds rolled overhead. Wind slammed into us. The following wave rose higher to reclaim us.

  “Wings!” Lash ordered.

  I reached over Ghaz’s shoulder and flipped the switch, bringing the wings out, praying to whoever might be listening that we not lose the wings in this wind.

  The ship bucked, the back end swiping starboard before Lash corrected it.

  I fought not to reclaim the controls of my ship, reminding myself that the pilot I’d hired specifically for this ship was, most times, better qualified to fly it than I was. Yes. I knew how to fly. I’d been born in the sky, but I didn’t know the many dangers of the ocean in a storm of this magnitude, and I knew nothing of flying in these winds. A storm like this would have shredded the Samma’s.

  I hoped it didn’t break the Layal.

  “This storm is stronger than the last.”

  Lash gritted his teeth, the tendons on his neck rising as he pulled up on the yoke. “You don’t say, sir.”

  “Can we remain up here long enough to get the Umira Nuru dropped off?”

  Lash nodded. “It’ll be a bumpy dumping, though.”

  “Let Haji worry about that. Wa-sna-win!”

  “On it, sir.”

  “Captain Rose?” Jamilah asked.

  I shook my head. “Not yet. Not in these winds.”

  Lash brought the Layal around via the starboard side and the wind shifted, pushing us toward land.

  Ghaz sighed in relief.

  The view of the island took my breath away.

  Even though the world was deluged in wind and rain, pockets of fire raged, as though with a will of its own. Great metallic beasts moved with slow purpose across the mountain, pushing tall trees out of their way.

  I grabbed Wa-sna-win’s gaze. “Tell Haji to hit him with all he’s got.”

  She nodded.

  I turned back to the scene, shaking my head in wonder. “And to live another day. Today is not a good day to die.”

  “Every day,” Jamilah said, her eyes round with the horror of the destruction before us, “is a good day to die.”

  Peacock Rock: Kiey

  KIEY RAN THROUGH THE TUNNELS, one hand in front of her, blind. The algae, their natural illumination, had gone dark. Why, she didn’t know. She wasn’t a doctor or a studier of plants, but she guessed it had something to do with the fact that caves were under attack.

  Garrett had ordered her to retrieve the people in Rose Cavern and to take them to Vleroon Bay. It was a desperate move, but the only one they could make.

  She burst into a large chamber, dirt filling her already clogged nostrils. Another ricocheting boom threw her into the wall behind her. She tripped on a large rock, her feet fumbling over several smaller rocks. She didn’t have time for this!

  A light shone in one of the tunnels on the other side. She hoped it was her people, but she couldn’t assume. The enemy had breached in too many places. She couldn’t be sure any place was safe in here.

  Lightning flashed, providing some light into the large cavern from the large vent holes overhead. How the Han hadn’t discovered those were beyond her.

  The tall umbrella flowers reigning over this cavern closed. The clear water of the lake trembled. Rain cascaded through the ceiling openings, splashing off large leaves and rocks.

  Kiey skirted around the lake, taking mental pictures each time the lightning flashed to keep her from stumbling.

  The flashes slowed a
nd pale light filtered through. She looked up, having made it about half-way around the lake. Morning. How much longer did they have to hold out before the Vash made it?

  She reached the other tunnel. Enough light filled the area for her to see; bare shapes, more of an intuitive knowing. The floor hadn’t moved. The walls hadn’t either. She knew this tunnel, had walked it a hundred times. She picked up her pace, not quite running, but not walking, either.

  Noise from the driller drowned out anything else. She couldn’t hear anyone, the sounds of the storm. Light became brighter and brighter.

  Within moments, she burst into the Rose Chamber. Hundreds of children, elders, a few mothers and fathers, people who were injured filled the large room. Torches lit the space.

  Those in the front looked at her, their eyes wide. They held onto each other, as if that alone would protect them. Dirt fell from the ceiling toward the back.

  That area had been cleared. They might not have known where to go, but they knew better than to sit directly under the digger. Good. They weren’t at a total loss.

  She rebuked herself with an eye roll. She’d accepted the mantle of fighter. Not everyone had been born to fight. A lot of people in this room had other skills, all equally important, just not at this moment. She was here for a reason. To keep them safe.

  She gestured to them to follow.

  Fitz, her best friend, maneuvered around a small girl and her brother. His lips moved, but Kiey couldn’t hear him.

  She shook her head.

  He flattened his lips and handed her his torch.

  She accepted it and turned, slipping through the tunnel she’d just passed through. At the cavern with the umbrella flowers, she paused only long enough to ensure people were following. There was no way to know if everyone followed. There were simply too many of them. They would follow, or they would die.

  They might follow and die.

  She watched the growing light from outside. The storm was passing, thankfully, and the sun was coming out. Help might be on their way. Finally.

  “Kiey.” Fitz grabbed her arm, glancing behind him. He shifted aside to allow others to make it into the cavern around him. “Where are we going?”

  She didn’t want to tell him, not this soon. If too many people discovered, they might balk, and she had no way of keeping all of them safe if they fled in multiple directions.

  His eyes widened minutely. He licked his bottom lip, and turned his face away.

  She closed her eyes and mouth. Fitz was many things. Stupid wasn’t one of them, which was one of the reasons they got along so well.

  “Tell me you’re kidding.”

  She opened her eyes and searched his thin face, the dirt from the diggers muffling his mahogany hair. “We’re out of options, Fitz. The Han are everywhere. They’ve discovered how to get into the caves.”

  “We have contingencies for this.”

  “I know, but the Han is working around all of them, and somehow he discovered the Rose Chamber.”

  “Could be luck?”

  She shook her head. “He’s too precise for luck.”

  He raised his head and stepped closer to her, dropping his voice.

  Something large, and heavy stepped hard overhead. Rocks rained down on them. Children cried out.

  Kiey bit back her curses, glancing up. “That could be Han working to cut us off right now.”

  “So, Vleroon Bay.”

  Zero access from all sides. Steep cliff. Single opening. Large spider-like crabs three times the size of humans residing in the bay. Yeah. Bad solution, but the only one they could play. “Do you have a better suggestion?”

  He took in a deep breath, then nodded, giving her arms a squeeze. “I’ve got an idea. We’ll use the spider crabs to our advantage.”

  A wave of gooseflesh washed over her. “The boys.”

  He shrugged. “Might as well. They’ve been in trouble near constant for angering them and goading them into attacking. It’s time we use those skills to our advantage.”

  It was a lot better than standing on the slim cliff’s edge, hoping not to be seen. “Good.”

  He pushed her toward the cavern. “Garrett needs you elsewhere.”

  She opened her mouth.

  “I’ve got this. Trust me. Go to Garrett.”

  She nodded and ran, the torch in her hand. Her skill set was better used elsewhere.

  The Vash had better hurry, especially if they wanted to save their precious Kiwidinok.

  Haji stumbled a step back as the Layal took a wide turn. Wind blasted rain through the open galley. The landscape below was pitch black. Occasional flashes of lightning provided a view of only crashing ocean waves. A dim light shown to his right, though, hinting at something. A fire, maybe. Dawn perhaps, though, if the light was this bright, the storm was nearing its end.

  Good for them.

  Good for the Han.

  Mesi stepped up to the seat of her skitter and strapped herself in. She inserted her arms into the forward controls then, slammed her feet into the bottom controls. She caught Haji’s gaze and nodded once.

  He narrowed his eyes, studying his design. The bottom eight legs settled and flexed as his best friend settled her legs into the multiple sensors along her legs, feet, and toes. The four upper legs were made of the dried flax and sealed with lethara excretions that kept them fire retardant. Copper wires were lace-worked over the entire opalescent surface. But if the enemy used bullets?

  She and her unit would have to move quickly and nimbly. That’s what the skitter units had been designed for.

  He’d have to deploy his shield unit. Rashidi tightened the strap of his pack and moved down the line of his group, checking straps and leather armor. They ran with the skitters, launching the metallic blue balls. When initiated, they threw up a type of shield made of energy. They also had a set of red balls they used as bombs.

  The only thing protecting the shielders was their wits and their mad ability to remain alive. Haji hadn’t met a group of people more dedicated to living than this group. They could be ruthless and were not the nicest people he’d ever met. He’d trust the lives of his people with them, though.

  In order for them to launch his main force, though, the storm would have to settle. The plows were steady with four large legs. They carried the heavy cannons with the Hands’ metal bullets. Covered in metal, or as much of it as he dared, they were his weapon of choice, though they were few. Too big. Too bulky. Too heavy. There wasn’t enough room for more than four of them.

  No, in this fight, he’d have to rely mostly on his skitters, shield men, and his dragoons.

  Where was Wynne and her unit, anyway? With a frown, he moved away from the bay doors and walked among the skittish skitters, searching.

  Rashidi caught Haji’s gaze and raised his chin, moving his gaze pointedly at the ceiling.

  Licking his lips, Haji looked up.

  There was Wynne and her unit of seventeen dragoons. She put them through their paces, marching along the ceiling, testing out their dragonfly wing units strapped to their backs and their boots that allowed them to walk along the ceiling.

  Haji tapped his ear and brought the mic to his mouth. “Wynne, come in.”

  She didn’t immediately answer, but he saw her instructing one of her people. When she was done, she craned her neck to look at him two stories below. “Yes, commander.”

  “Be careful not to poke too many holes the hull with your boots.”

  “Admiral El’Asim has already briefed me on this, sir. He took your invention into mind when he designed this bay. We are safe as long as we stay in this location.”

  Sometimes, Synn could surprise him. Outright stupid at times, but then at others, completely brilliant.

  Haji returned to his post at the bay doors, listening to what little he could of his unit getting prepared. The storm dulled their noise, making him almost feel deaf. They needed more training. Not that he could blame Synn. For all he was an idiot, his best friend was
an idiot trying to do the best he could in a deplorable situation.

  Haji would lose people this day. He knew this. Which ones and how many? He didn’t know.

  The Layal turned one more time and the island came into sight, a graying silhouette against a rising, blue sun. Bouts of fire lit the mountain side. Fire. In a storm like this.

  He glanced at his skitter unit. He’d heard the Han had been on working on a fire that would sustain even in water and rain. Haji had to hope his preparations would keep his people safe long enough to do some damage. He’d already lost so much to the Han.

  Everyone in this bay had. They’d all lost family. Friends. Lovers. Homes.

  “Umira Nuru,” the communications officer said in Haji’s ear.

  He touched his ear. “This is the Umira Nuru.”

  “Prepare for landing, sir. It might be a bit bumpy.”

  Haji headed for his rig. “Tell the El’Asim that the plows will have to remain behind due to the storm.”

  She didn’t respond for a moment.

  Haji climbed up the spindly legs of his skitter. He preferred speed over strength in a fight.

  “The El’Asim says he will ensure you have a way to deploy the plows, sir. Are they prepared?”

  He pulled himself into the seat and began to strap himself in, the sensors jabbing through his pants and leather socks. “They are. But how is he going to accomplish that in this storm?”

  “Honestly, sir, I don’t know. I’m simply relaying orders.”

  He sighed. “I know you are. Thank you, Wa-sna-win.”

  As soon as he jabbed his arms into the two sleeves, the communication sensor inserted itself behind Haji’s left ear. The other sensors inserted themselves along his arms and hands. He stilled for a moment, his entire body tightening as he got used to the feel of it again. The legs were not nearly as bad as the upper body.

  “Well, that looks like buckets of fun down there,” Fahd said over the communications link behind Haji’s left ear.

  “You’re not scared, are you?” Mesi taunted, flexing all four of her arms, pulling her arsenal of guns from their holsters along her unit’s chest and waist, only to put them back.