by John Walker
Orla stepped away, peering at her scanner. No ships seemed to be in the area. That gave her some confidence. Her computer stated she was operating on downloaded data… meaning the Kahl had likely taken out the satellites. Or were jamming them. Either way, she felt fortunate they grabbed the location of the settlement when they did.
I won’t be able to update this until I get somewhere with an uplink to control towers. The Rhulins tended to build structures to boost signals so they might share information locally between their various colonies. The Kahl took out the command center at the camp too. We don’t have access to our military assets either.
Klev joined her, tapping her shoulder. “I’m as ready as I’ll be.”
“Then we’ll fall out.” Orla headed off, moving at a brisk pace.
“How do you have so much energy?” Klev asked.
“I’ve been to some rough places.”
“Yeah? The kind that make you good with a gun?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Klev pressed. “Why exactly were you so calm when those soldiers showed up? You blasted the hell out of them then got us out of there like a real soldier.”
“Did they send you here with no training?” Orla asked.
“I… got some. Not like you.”
Orla smirked. “Don’t feel bad. I’ve been a busy woman.”
“That’s not really an answer.”
“I know. But it’s the best I’ve got when I’m freezing while hiking through a forest without notice.” Orla glanced back at him, still wearing her smile. “Be happy I’ve got these skills, though. They’re going to save your life. I promise.”
“I just wish I understood why the head physician also happens to be a soldier.”
“Because I did one before the other. Then worked in dangerous places all over the galaxy. For the Prytins, the Dahs, the Vorkas.”
“Legally?”
Orla chuckled. “You’re pretty clever.”
“If you simply worked for the military, you would’ve just come out and said so.”
“Maybe so.” Orla waved at him. “Let’s save our breath for walking, huh?”
The sky grew darker, plunging them into a gray dusk. Trees made it harder to see, cutting off what little natural light they had. Orla kept the scanner at the ready, ensuring they were on the right path. Getting lost might be a fatal mistake though she felt a tinge of pessimism gnawing at her gut.
What if this settlement is trashed? If all the technology had been removed or destroyed, they’d be in just as bad of a situation as wandering around in the dark. I have to hope, I suppose. Though Klev won’t take it well. The young man clearly didn’t know how to face dilemmas without frustration.
I can’t blame him entirely. He didn’t anticipate any of this. The Rhulin military promised an easy, orderly campaign. She picked the position because of the remote location. No reports suggested Kahl interest. Other opportunities had presented themselves, but they carried their own challenges. Like being too close to the Prytin legal system.
“I have a question,” Klev said. They hadn’t spoken in nearly an hour. “How are we getting out of here?”
“There are several possibilities,” Orla replied. “Meet up with the military for extraction. Find a ship in a port that’s been neglected and take it. Work with civilian authorities to evacuate. Any of those will work.”
“Steal a ship?” Klev asked. “You aren’t serious about that.”
“If it means staying here and dying or stealing?” Orla huffed. “Are you seriously telling me you’ve made your choice?”
“No… I… I guess I’m just…”
“Tired,” Orla completed the sentence. “I am too. When we’ve had some rest, we’ll be in a lot better position to worry about tomorrow. Right now, focus. We’re nearly to our destination.” She paused, turning in place. No smoke rose above the trees, no signs of other people burning anything.
If anyone’s out here, they’re smart enough not to give themselves away.
“You okay?” Klev pressed close. “Did you hear something? See something?”
“No. And that’s a good thing.” Orla lied about the last part, clapping him on the shoulder again. He didn’t need to get paranoid. Any more, at least. He already acted like a trapped animal, casting a furtive gaze around the area. Keeping him in the dark meant he’d remain focused. “Get moving.”
Darkness fell as they crawled up a hill. Their destination should’ve been on the other side of a group of trees. Orla prepped the rifle, approaching slowly. Klev remained low, putting a good ten feet of distance between them. Regardless if anyone happened to be in there, she needed to clear the space.
Which entails busting through a bunch of buildings in the dark. Orla sighed. I’m so glad I came to this planet.
They crept through the trees though Klev didn’t have stealth in him. Either because he was too tired or simply lacked the training, it didn’t matter. He clomped through the leaves, snapping twigs with practically every step. By the time they reached the tree line, if anyone happened to be on watch, they knew someone was on approach.
If they’re Kahl, we have to kill them anyway. And if they’re Rhulins, hopefully they won’t kill us.
Five structures had been erected in a semi-circle, offering quick access from one door to the next. Each had rear exits it appeared with large paved areas providing a staging area for whatever they needed to do. All but one were two stories. Orla figured the tallest, pushing five stories, had to be an admin center.
It’ll have the means for us to communicate with someone. Providing I can figure out power.
She didn’t notice any lights, but from their vantage, any of the back buildings might be occupied without them knowing. At least on the bottom floors. Two hundred yards of open terrain stood between them and the nearest of the buildings. They had a straight shot for the door.
We can get in there then stage for clearing the others. Orla drew a deep breath. I wish I could count on Klev to help with any of that. If someone decided to hide in a corner, she had a fifty-fifty chance of being shot in the back. Without at least one other person, it felt insanely dangerous. I know what I’m doing, but I’m not exactly a soldier.
“What’re we waiting for?” Klev asked. “We should go. It’s getting colder.”
“I’m watching for movement,” Orla replied. “We need to know if we’re walking into a situation.”
“We don’t have a choice either way.” Klev pressed on, leaving the safety of the bushes to start across the way.
Orla reached for him, but she missed. Cursing, she hurried after him. “At least move your ass!” she hissed, grabbing him by the shoulder. They hustled toward the building though every step out in the open made her feel exposed, like she might be shot at any moment. Her heart raced as the hair on the back of her neck stood.
When they made the paved area, Orla spun Klev, pressing him against the wall. Leaning close so her nose touched his, she whispered but put as much gravity as she could into her comment.
“Look. If you don’t care about living, keep up that kind of thing. Wander out in the open. Don’t bother to observe a situation. But tell me now so I can go my own way.”
“Orla, I—”
“The only thing,” Orla interrupted, “I want to hear from you is whether or not you’ll be listening to my instructions.”
“We had to get indoors!”
“At the expense of finding enemies here?” Orla sucked in a breath. She heard something. A noise from the opposite side of the building. Maybe a footstep… maybe a voice. She couldn’t tell. Or perhaps paranoia finally got the better of her. She pressed her finger to his lips then pointed at the edge of the building.
He shrugged as she dropped into a crouch to inch her way to the corner. Another sound caught her attention, this one definitely a footstep… a crunch of gravel beneath a boot. Orla prepped her rifle, aiming high at the corner. A whisper echoed off the buildings, someone issuing a command.
Orla drew a breath through her nose, letting it out slowly. The effort was meant to calm her, but it didn’t work. Her pulse pounded. Senses became unnaturally acute, to the point of total unease. Every sound… a skulking nighttime animal, the flap of a wing to the left, the creak of wood from the walls, tickled her ears, challenging her to look in different directions.
But the threat was dead ahead.
Should I challenge them? Orla wondered if they might be allies. Calling out meant gambling. If they were Kahl, they’d likely charge. Rhulins would at least talk. But I can’t say that for certain. Either may be too twitchy to care who we are. But where’s that leave us? A gun battle no matter what?
Orla stopped at five feet before the corner. She waited, remaining motionless. A shadow of a figure fell in front of her followed by another. Both appeared to be armed. Were there others? Probably trying to flank me right now. She risked a quick glance over her shoulder. Klev remained where she left him. The opposite side of the building was clear.
Okay, so at least right now, I’ve got front facing threats only. Orla peered down the sight of her weapon. Come on then. Poke your head around and give me a hard time.
“You’re not Kahl,” a man’s voice called. “That much is obvious.”
“I’m a doctor,” Orla replied, “who’re you?”
“You got supplies?” a woman replied.
“Maybe.”
“That’s all we needed to know,” the lady said. One of the forms stepped around, firing high. Orla blasted them in the gut, making them stumble before dropping out of sight.
Before the other could react, Orla launched herself forward, landing on her side. She fired twice, blasting the person in the knee and waist. The woman cried out, returning fire. The shot hit the ground, showering Orla with dirt.
She shot the woman in the head before crawling to her feet. The man wallowed, grasping at his gut. Orla knocked his weapon away. “How many others are there here?” she asked. “Who are you?” He was definitely a Rhulin. “Speak up! Now!”
“Piss off…” He grunted. “I’m not… telling you… anything.”
Voices called out from the building across the way. They sounded confused, shouting questions. Probably asking these two morons to report.
“Are you criminals?” Orla asked. She placed her palm on his hands covering the wound then pressed her weight on him. He tried to scream, but it came out as a strangled grunt. “I can make this hurt a lot before you die. What’s the deal?”
“We… left… the prison…” He muttered. “Got free… in the fighting…”
“And took up here.” Orla sighed. “Away from the action. How many?”
“Five… five more!” Tears leaked from his eyes. He finally managed a scream.
Damn! Orla shot him in the head, falling back behind the building. She stood, sprinting toward Klev while waving at him to move. He shook his head, lifting his shoulders. Damn idiot! She rasped as she drew near, “Move! Go! Get back to the trees right now!”
“Why? Who are those people?” Klev looked around like a terrified animal. “Isn’t that—”
“Go right now!” Orla slapped him on the arm as she passed. “Or you’ll be shot!”
That compelled him. He broke into a sprint, heading for the trees. Orla made her new position, risking a glance around the corner. The other criminals headed across the camp toward their fallen. I guess there’s honor amongst thugs. She slipped around the corner, moving along the edge of the wall.
Flanking them might give her a chance against the overwhelming numbers. At least there are only five instead of seven. That was a small consolation as she crept along the front of the building toward the engagement. Between the run and closing on them, her heart rate escalated, thumping in her ears.
I’m an idiot, the thought came unbidden. This is straight stupid! If I attack them, even if I get two, the others will turn around and murder me. I’m going to die in the next few moments. Alternatives came up. I could take off. Head for one of the other buildings then dart out the back. With any luck, I’ll find some other way out of here.
That involved leaving Klev behind… condemning him to death.
Damn!
“There he is!” one of her opponents shouted. “That’s the one that got Aevel and Drell!”
No! They caught sight of Klev making for the trees. Hopefully, he got there. Since the men didn’t start shooting, they must not have had a clear shot. Orla reached the wall, peering around. Her opponents were halfway toward the trees. They’re really going after him! This works to my advantage, though.
Taking a knee, Orla aimed for a good five seconds. She opened fire, tearing into the back of the one trailing behind. He cried out, dropping and rolling several feet. His companions turned to look. One shouted, “He’s shooting at us! Hit the—”
Before he finished, Orla got him in the head. One of the remaining three laid down suppressive fire on the trees. The other two turned in her direction. She got one more shot, taking down the middle target with a shot to the chest. Even as she pulled the trigger, she cursed her mistake.
“Behind us!” the one staring in her direction shouted, returning fire. Orla fell back to cover. Two beams struck the wood near her head, starting a small fire. Fortunately, the damp kept it from getting out of control and it died out, but he didn’t slow down, didn’t stop shooting as he tore up the corner. “Come on!”
“What about the one in the woods?”
The two screamed at each other without concern over being heard. The conversation surprised her. None of these people must’ve been trained at all. What had they done to wind up in prison? Maybe they’re simply inexperienced. A click behind her made her stiffen as the cool barrel of a gun pressed against her neck.
“What do we have here?” a woman whispered. “Who’re your friends out there?”
“You’re not with them?” Orla asked. “They’re criminals. Trying to kill my friend and I.”
“Nope, I don’t know them. And you’re not exactly equipped for this weather. Must be what… a refugee? You sure know how to use that gun.”
“They’re coming back,” Orla said. “I think we’re on the same side so… could you lower the gun.”
“I don’t trust you.”
Orla slumped, taking half a moment to pray. The tension in the barrel eased. She spun on her heel, knocking the weapon aside. The gun went off, blasting the wall before the woman threw a thrust kick. She hit Orla in the gut, knocking her a pace back. They aimed their weapons at each other, rifle to pistol.
“What now?” Orla asked. “Seems we have a choice. Kill each other or fight the bastards who will be on us at any second.”
“Who are you? Tell me fast.”
“I’m Pargon Orla Boch. I have another one with me. He’s unarmed and in the woods.” Orla scowled. “Come on, lady. We need each other.”
“I can’t say that’s necessarily true.” The woman lowered her weapon. In the low light, some details came through. She dressed in a cloak and coat. Hiking boots came to her knees. A heavy pack rested on her shoulders and she was armed to the teeth with a rifle, pistol, knife, and ax. “But okay. For now.”
Orla lowered her weapon on faith, turning toward the corner. Throughout her interaction with the newcomer, the shooting never stopped. It made the kick all the more dangerous since it nearly tossed her into the attacks. Footsteps came down the way. Neither of the criminals seemed like they’d stop.
They’re charging. Orla took a knee. Hopefully, they aim high.
Her new ally stepped away from the wall. As the criminals bolted around, they kept shooting but were greeted with a serious assault. Both danced away as Orla pulled the trigger as fast as possible. Her companion did the same, cutting both men down in seconds. They dropped, bloody and burned, their bodies steaming in the chill.
“That was exciting,” her companion said. “They won’t bother us anymore at least. And they’ve got some supplies in the mess hall o
ver there.”
“Great.” Orla tried to catch her breath. She struggled, panting. “I… thought we weren’t going…”
“Nah, they were terrible shots.” She helped Orla up. “I’ll collect their weapons. You get your friend. We’ll meet in the mess where you can get warm and eat. Then, you can tell me how you got here. Which will in turn prove out whether the two of us made the right call in trusting each other.”
“Sure…” Orla paced away, keeping an eye on her. “Thanks. Regardless of how you feel in a few minutes.”
“No problem, Pargon.” The woman gave her a quick salute. “Get to it. Your friend’s probably freaking out. And it’ll only get colder.”
***
Chapter 4
Griel sat in his office while they warped to their destination. He stared at his report; finished but not filed. The words represented another failure. Rather than bringing Niva back to the Brekka, she’d been lost. Tossed into a situation which he had to believe had been fatal. Much as he wanted to wait around, to save her, he had to admit the chances were slim.
Everyone’s lost on that ridiculous thing. Griel closed his eyes. Along with the pilgrimage we spent so many resources on. Lives had been lost in their pursuit of knowledge regarding the Kahl. Essa, still aboard the Triton, had expressed his extreme displeasure at giving up for relief efforts. I wish I could blame him.
Unfortunately, he recognized that they needed to move on. If a miracle occurred and Niva survived, she’d contact him. Or find a way to escape herself. Regardless of what happened next, he had to believe in her and follow orders… to do his best to fulfill a demand by the military.
Which had been something he’d often forgotten about. Allowed to create his own missions, he was rarely forced to succumb to the authority of the military council. This put him at odds with the other commanders often, though he rarely cared. He never believed the generals of his people had the right idea in fights anyway.
Their tactics were outdated. The special operations crews, on the other hand… they knew their business. Hit the enemy behind their lines, cripple their ability to make war. That was how to fight. Especially a foe like the Kahl who enjoyed throwing waves of forces against them. Remove their supply lines and watch them dangle.
