I tried to smile but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I kept seeing the ghoulish fangs of the Fae that attacked me, snapping in my face. I wanted to say more, but I didn’t feel like bragging. The truth was, I had been lucky — very, very lucky. And all I wanted was to make sure my friends survived.”
“I shouldn’t have volunteered,” Gloria said. “I only did it to be in the action.”
“There’ll be action no matter what,” I said. “Here, or out there…it doesn’t make a difference. Keep your weapons handy and stay alert. That’s the best advice I can give you.”
I finished my meal quickly. A somber mood had infected our little group, and I felt bad for having dashed their enthusiasm. But I knew trouble was on its way. Captain Rigel could play commander and send us on a fool’s mission, but he wasn’t prepared for the resistance I was sure he we would encounter. He would balk, wavering indecisively, while we were left exposed. Then, he would run at the first opportunity, whether the mission was complete or not.
Chapter 18
I didn’t bother with a tent. I slept out in the open, where I could look up at the stars. I was growing accustomed to sleeping in full armor, including a helmet. Right by my side, I kept my rifle. My sidearm was in its holster, my combat knife in its sheath, and still I felt unprepared. That night my sleep was filled with nightmares. I was grateful to have an entire night to rest, but by dawn I was up, shaking off the clinging tendrils of fatigue. I got a quick breakfast, made sure I had two protein bars and a full canteen of water, then joined the rest of Venom Company on the edge of the jungle.
“This construction will consist of three phases,” Lieutenant Duffer said. “First, a scout team led by Master Sergeant Eubanks will explore the area we are planning to move through. Their job is to ensure that no enemy combatants are in the vicinity. The second phase will begin once we get an all-clear from the Master Sergeant. Our goal is to forge a path through the jungle, wide enough to be used by armored vehicles. That will require cutting and removing some trees. Alpha engineers will mark the path and indicate trees that need to be removed. Bravo engineers will cut down the trees, and Charlie engineers will use that material to fill in the road where necessary. This will require steady communication. I don’t want anyone getting hurt by falling trees or debris.”
Everyone seemed to understand their jobs. I saw Marines nodding. It always helped to have a task that was understood, not just in execution, but the reasons for the task as well. I didn’t mind digging a trench, as long I knew what it was for, whether that meant creating defenses to fight behind or a latrine for field units — the why was important.
“This armored vehicle,” Duffer continued, pointing at the armored transport with a large F painted on the side, is Foxtrot One. It will be our base of operations. It will haul our supplies, including a wood-chipper. If we come under attack, we will all fall back to Foxtrot One and make our stand there. Any questions?”
There were none. Master Sergeant Eubanks gathered the infantry Marines who had volunteered to help cut the road through the jungle. There were ten altogether. Most were veterans, and Money even knew a few of them. He laid out a simple strategy.
“Our main goal is to protect the engineers,” Money said. “Sergeant Tito Malone will have a six-man team. We need two on each flank and two with Foxtrot One at all times.”
“Roger that,” Malone said.
“Porter and I will take point,” Money continued. “We’ll mark the way forward and keep a close watch for any natives. The other four Marines will escort Alpha engineers as they mark the path. Keep in mind, they aren’t watching for hostiles. That’s our job.”
“What about Bravo engineers, Master Sergeant?”
“My guess is they’ll be making enough racket to attract attention, but moving on their position will be dangerous because of the falling timber. This will be a slow march. Don’t get lulled into a sense of complacency.”
“It’s hard to see very far in the jungle,” I offered. “Your best bet is to scan for movement.”
“No offense, Private, but this ain’t my first rodeo,” a grizzled-looking Sergeant said.
“Better listen to him, Thatcher,” Money said calmly. “He rescued me twice since we’ve been here, and saved our lives a few times. The kid’s got a knack for this hell hole.”
“Sorry,” Sergeant Thatcher said.
“No sweat,” I replied.
“Let’s do a coms check, then move out,” Money ordered.
I had the names of all the infantry Marines on my main HUD. I also had a topographical map that showed the Base Camp, our location, and Mt. Zuko. I jumped up onto the side of Foxtrot One and found Gloria Keyes in the driver’s seat.
“They picked the best driver for this op?” I said.
“I’m the newbie, I guess that makes me expendable,” she said with a grin. The transport was armored, which allowed her to forgo armor, including a battle helmet. Instead she wore a headset and sat easy in the transport’s cockpit. Across from her, sat a sour-faced Lance Corporal who already had his feet up on the dash.
“Well, try not to run over any of us grunts on the ground,” I said.
“No promises, Porter. Better stay out of the way.”
“Yes ma’am,” I said, before jumping back down.
Abe walked up to me and grinned. “You know she’s got a thing for you,” he said.
“I know I don’t have the luxury of thinking about it,” I replied. “What team are you with?”
“Charlie engineers. We’ll be running wood through the chipper and spreading the mulch wherever it’s needed.”
“Keep your eyes open, Abe. My guess is, the natives will be interested in the transport.”
“I wouldn’t think spears and arrows would be much good against an armored vehicle.”
“They won’t attack the truck,” I said. “They’ll take you out, then take possession of the vehicle.”
“Well...” Abe said, realizing this operation wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. “That makes sense.”
“So keep your weapon handy. The small ones are the Fae. They attack with spears and arrows. Sometimes they ride large flying creatures that look like dragonflies. You don’t want to be impaled on a wooden lance if they charge you. The tall, shaggy, humpbacked creatures are the Prog. They use blowguns and dip their darts in a toxin will render you helpless. I doubt we’ll see a Gral. They’re the big, six-legged creatures with quills on their backs. But if we do, remember they can project those spines if you get too close.”
“Damn Orry. How do you keep up with all of this?”
“Once you’ve fought them a few times, you won’t be able to forget. I’m hoping we won’t see the Vena. They usually hunt alone, at night. But if you see a tall figure with a long, horse-like face, watch out. They’ve got airguns that will kill you. Keep your helmet on, no matter how hot you get, and stay alert.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Abe said. “You make it sound hopeless.”
“Not hopeless…we just have to be careful.”
“Where will you be?”
“The Master Sergeant and I will be scouting ahead, but we’ll be in radio range. If you see something, call out. We’ll come running.”
“Good, that’s the best thing you’ve said all day.”
I patted Abe on the shoulder. He had an assault rifle slung around his neck and shoulder, and he had a laser wood-cutter in his hands. I had a premonition of him throwing the wood-cutter away and trying to bring his rifle to bear, but I had to shake the thought off. I didn’t want my friends to experience the dangers I had faced. Perhaps we wouldn’t be attacked, I thought to myself, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe it.
“You ready, Private?” Money asked as I approached.
“Yes, Master Sergeant.”
“Alright, let’s stay together for now. You scan that direction, I’ll watch this way.”
“How far are we going today?”
“Hopefully a few k
ilometers,” Money said. “We’ll scout a couple hundred meters ahead, then branch out around the engineers cutting trees.”
We pushed into the jungle. The gloom under the thick canopy was both frightening and welcome. I felt a difference in the temperature almost as soon as I left the Base Camp clearing. I also felt the familiar tingle on my back, like we were being watched. It didn’t take long for the thunder of timber falling and crack of stout limbs snapping to announce that the road construction was underway. In the distance I could hear the roar of the wood-chippers grinding the trees to small chips that could be spread over the road to help even the path and keep anything new from growing.
An hour into our work, I felt complacency trying to rob me of my sense of vigilance. We hadn’t seen any of the natives. The engineering crews were working steadily and had already carved a road half a kilometer into the forest. It was slow work that required a flexible mind and an eye for avoiding obstacles. I felt strangely at peace. Being on Apex Venandi had been stressful, to say the least, with every objective teetering on the edge of life or death. But being on the crew laying a new road down through the jungle felt refreshingly mundane. It wasn’t glamorous, but it did feel somewhat important. Better yet, I could look back and see progress. I didn’t feel as if I was struggling just to hang on anymore, and that was encouraging.
All my hope vanished when I spotted a gray-haired creature trying to sneak up on our newly formed platoon. I recognized the shaggy hide and humped back of a Prog. The blood turned cold in my veins, and fear whispered death in my ear.
“Master Sergeant, I have contact,” I said over the com-link.
“Roger, that. Moving to your position now. Lieutenant Duffer, I suggest you have your crews fall back to Foxtrot One until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“Very good, Master Sergeant,” Duffer said. “Falling back to defensive positions now.”
The jungle became quiet and still. I could see the Prog, which hadn’t moved. I feared maybe it was dead, and I had halted the work for nothing. Money came up to my position, but stayed ten meters to my right.
“It hasn’t moved,” I said. “Maybe it’s dead.”
“Negative,” Money said. “I’ve got eyes on two more. Let’s move around them, and see if we can flush them out.”
“Yes, Master Sergeant,” I replied.
My hands checked the safety on my assault rifle. I had the indicator set to three-round bursts. I could feel sweat forming just above my eyes in the space below the padding of my Command Helmet. All it would take is on dart from a Prog blowgun finding a space in my armor, and I would be worthless to the platoon for at least a full day, maybe two.
Circling a tree, I found a gap in the forest where a dozen of the tall, humpback creatures were watching the armored transport. I was in the perfect position to flank them. The only question on my mind was whether I should open fire or just try to frighten them away.
“I have line of sight on the entire troop,” I said softly into my com-link, although there was no chance of my voice being heard outside my helmet.
“How many?” Money asked.
“Thirteen, Master Sergeant.”
“They spot you yet?”
“There’s no indication that they’ve seen me.”
“And no way to know if you’ve seen all of them.”
“I’ve never seen a troop larger than this,” I said. “Orders?”
“Hold your position, and report if they move,” Money said. “Sergeant Malone, what’s the situation at Foxtrot One?”
“We have all the engineers inside, Master Sergeant,” Malone replied. “And Sergeant Thatcher’s squad has taken positions on top of the transport.”
“Stay low, Thatcher,” Money ordered. “And watch your six. I’m moving around to make sure this isn’t an ambush.”
The next few minutes felt like hours. The Prog were patient, waiting and watching, but giving no sign of their intentions. I could see Money’s locator beacon on my HUD as he carefully circled around the work area. Eventually, he made it all the way around and was opposite me on the far flank of the transport.
“No sign of any other hostiles,” Money said. “Lieutenant Duffer, I suggest we strike first.”
“You want to engage?” Duffer said. “They’ve shown no signs of hostility.”
“The Prog are dangerous, sir,” Money insisted. “Better to hit them first and show them that we mean business.”
“I don’t think that’s wise, Master Sergeant.”
“It’s not safe to resume work with a troop of Prog this close,” Money said. “If you want to wait them out, that’s your call, but you can’t send your people back to work until they move on.”
“And you don’t think they will?”
“Excuse me, sir,” I spoke up. “The Prog are moving toward your location.”
The group had in fact left the narrow gap, and while I could still see one or two of them readying their blowguns, I had lost visual on most of the troop. I wanted to kick myself for hesitating. I should have unloaded a full magazine on the Prog warriors when I had a chance.
“Weapons hot,” Master Sergeant Eubanks said. “Deadly fire is authorized. Shoot to kill. I repeat, shoot to kill. This is not a drill.”
I fired a three-round burst that cut one Prog in half. I didn’t dwell on the gruesome sight. The rest of the troop suddenly rushed toward the transport. They shouted in short, melodic hoots like alien song birds, but I knew the sounds weren’t music. They were battle cries from a savage enemy. I tried to get back to the transport, but the Marines there opened fire into the forest. It was a deadly barrage that forced me to hold back. I knew the frightened Marines were firing blind. There was simply too much gunfire for the group to be sighting the enemy before shooting.
“Damn, how are they avoiding our shots!” complained a frustrated corporal.
“I’m hit!” shouted another.
Through the jungle, I could see the transport. A flash of gray fur leaped from the trees and darted under the transport.
“You’ve got a bogey under Foxtrot One,” I warned.
“I’m on it,” Money replied.
A single shot ended the life of the Prog under the transport, and the forest once again grew quiet. I couldn’t see any movement from the natives.
“Looks like we got them all,” Sergeant Thatcher said.
“Stay alert, but cease fire,” Money said. “Porter and I will search the area.”
I moved cautiously toward the transport, alert for any signs of movement. I found the first dead Prog less that thirty meters from the armored vehicle. Money called out the dead he found and we counted all thirteen of the Prog.
“Looks like we got them all,” Money said.
“Alright, let’s get back to work,” Lieutenant Duffer said in a shaky voice.
“Master Sergeant Hampton’s been hit by one of the darts,” Sergeant Thatcher said. “He needs medical attention.”
“The toxin won’t kill him,” Money said. “Move him down to the back of the transport and we’ll call in help.”
It only took a few minutes for a new platoon to arrive. They carried Hampton away on a stretcher so the medics could study the effects of the Prog toxins. They also collected as much of the alien weaponry as they could find. The Prog carried short knives, and their blowguns were just over a meter in length. In their pouches we found more of their toxin-coated darts. The new platoon took it all back to the Base Camp, which was only a short distance away, as the engineers continued their work.
The day progressed without any more incidents. A group of Fae passed by, but didn’t stop. As evening approached, we loaded up on Foxtrot One to make the journey back to camp. The crew had completed three kilometers of the road, and by my calculations, it would take at least three weeks to complete the mission.
I sat next to Abe in the transport, which trundled through the jungle in reverse since there was no room to turn the big vehicle around. Abe looked concerned,
but didn’t say much. He had taken his helmet off, as had most of the others. I kept mine on and had the topographical map add the new road we had just constructed.
“What would have happened if you hadn’t spotted the aliens before they attacked?” Abe asked in a quiet voice.
“They would have snatched a few of us, I suppose,” I said.
“What for?”
“To question us, or torture us. I suppose they might eat us. I saw the Vena cook and eat a Prog, so that’s pretty likely. They might also sacrifice us to their god.”
“I can’t believe it,” he replied. “I never thought it would be like this.”
“Like what?” I asked curiously.
“It feels like we’re interloping,” Abe replied. “I have no problem fighting if we need to, but this seems wrong.”
“We don’t know a lot about the natives, but we know they fight one another,” I said. “They hunt each other for sport and prestige. They take captives in order to make them fight. It’s a very violent world.”
“And if they get a hold of our weapons, what then?” Abe asked. “We could be making a huge mistake being here.”
“That’s above my pay grade,” I said. “Right or wrong isn’t important.”
“What is then?”
I looked at my friend, wishing he could see the conviction in my eyes, but unwilling to take my helmet off unnecessarily. “Staying alive.”
Chapter 19
We fell into a routine. There was no sign of hostilities from the natives. Occasionally we saw groups watching our progress, but few engaged. Likewise, the Base Camp did not come under attack for the first week. It felt as if those first two weeks of constant danger were a dream. At night I was plagued with nightmares, and I felt myself growing more grim. On the bright side, it was nice to have friends around me. Abe was the same gregarious soul I had known in Basic Training. He organized card games at night, and somehow had managed to stash bottles of vodka on the transport ship.
I spent more time with Gloria. There was something soothing about her presence. We sometimes spent hours just laying on our backs, staring up at the sky and talking about the future.
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