by John Walker
“This is our objective,” Niva said. “The natives believe there’s some sort of defensive capability we can engage. Once we do, it should attract the Kahl. Because they cannot obliterate the site from orbit, the hope is they’ll bring whatever’s left of their force to face us in the facility.”
“How many are we talking?” Tiller asked.
“Don’t know for sure.” Niva shrugged. “Whatever they’ve got, I presume. Scans outside the underground base are not reliable. The way the masking works ensures we can’t see out well either. This information is prerecorded.”
“So how do we turn that thing on?” Lysa asked.
“I’m afraid that’ll be on you,” Niva said. “We’ll help if it turns out to be some sort of computer system we can access, but I’m guessing it’ll have more to do with what we’ve learned along the pilgrimage. You and Kyle will stick together throughout the operation. Alon is going to have your back.”
Alon stepped forward. “And before anyone asks, I feel fine.”
“Me too,” Vesper said, “or I will when I’ve been up for more than five minutes.”
“Excellent.” Niva continued. “Once the defenses are activated, there’s a gate at this side of the structure. It leads out to a wide field of grass. There are no natural bits of cover in that area, which means the Kahl will have to bring their own or just charge. Our hosts are going to help but their weapons aren’t all that advanced.”
“However,” Milna jumped in, “the good news is we’ve managed to acquire several weapons from the Kahl. We’ll be employing those.”
“What about me?” Andrews asked. “I don’t have any armor for this kind of action.”
“Nor me,” Quilla added. “Neither of us should be fodder to draw fire. I recommend we stay back.”
“There’s a problem there,” Milna said, “if you remain here, you may be left. One of our objectives is to get Jok’s ship into position so we might depart as soon as possible.”
Niva nodded. “In the chaos of the fight, we’ll be looking for an opportunity to take care of ourselves. You shouldn’t be up in the front, but we definitely need you present.”
“Got it.” Andrews sighed. “I just… I don’t want to be a burden to anyone because I can’t get out there.”
Jok replied, “We have plenty of help, Andrews. You can perform support functions throughout the fighting.”
“Are all of us going on this first part of the mission?” Quilla asked.
“Yes.” Niva gestured to the others. “We’re a decent-sized group and I feel we can hold our own against any small unit that might be present. However, as of an hour ago, the Kahl had not infiltrated the facility we’re heading to. So we should have an advantage. I want to keep this quiet and stealthy. Get in without discovery.”
“So no shooting right away,” Tiller said.
“At all if we can help it.” Niva shut down the projection. “We’re heading out as soon as you’ve had a chance to grab some food and supplies. The trip should take us a while, unfortunately. Once we’re there, things will move fast. Be ready for the end game because one way or another, it’ll be over fast.”
“That sounds…” Andrews shrugged. “Fatal? Terrifying?“
“It’s not good,” Milna replied, “but if you do your part, you can at least go to your grave knowing you tried.”
Andrews blinked several times. “You are not at all good at this.”
Milna cocked her head to the side. “I do not motivate.”
“No,” Lysa muttered, “you sure don’t.”
“Anyway!” Niva interrupted. “None of that really matters. This is our way out of here. We need to make it work Besides the fact these people seem to need us.”
Don’t know why, Vesper thought. If they’re willing to take on the Kahl, they can probably do it without us. This prophecy stuff is nuts. What if we can’t turn on this defense system? Will we suddenly find ourselves facing off against the natives and the invaders? She didn’t want to voice the concern in front of the others.
Not with Quilla and Andrews freaking out.
Alon stood nearby, mostly silent throughout the briefing. She nudged him, lowering her voice. “You okay? I thought you’d have something to say by now.”
“No.” Alon shrugged. “It is what it is. We don’t have a choice but to accept it.”
“We could always go for Jok’s ship instead. Figure out where it is…”
“I’ll stop you right there,” Alon said, “there’s no way. The forest helped mask our signatures when we made a break for the caves before, but I guarantee we’d be going across open terrain to do what you’re proposing. And besides, once that ship powers up again, we’d have to kill some time before launch.”
“Impossible then?” Vesper asked. “Because I was taught to believe anything can be done.”
“The question is what will it cost. How many of us would have to die to pull it off?”
“Ah…”
“Yeah, they like to think of us all as resources,” Alon said, “which makes it clear why your mentor suggested you do this before taking on a commission. It was a good idea. Anyway, no. If these people aren’t crazy… well, entirely crazy, then this is our best bet. And we get to stick it to those assholes in the process.”
“Get some food,” Niva called, “then armor up. We’ll be falling out shortly.”
Vesper followed Alon and Tiller to a table in the back. Rations were set out on plates along with what had to be local cuisine. She didn’t even bother to ask about it. While it looked like bread, she figured it could’ve been any sort of living creature… one she had no desire to find out about.
“You going to try it?” Tiller nudged her with his elbow.
“I was just thinking I wouldn’t even look at it.”
“That’s how you eat anything,” Tiller replied. “Just grab it, close your eyes, and chew.”
Alon said, “It’s a wonder you’re still alive with the way you approach life, Tiller.”
“My mom used to say that too.”
Kyle asked, “Anyone surprised?”
Vesper chuckled, getting back to the food. Her stomach rumbled as she chewed. Whatever they did to her left her with a serious appetite. And we’re about to burn some real calories over the next several hours. She planned to pack extra rations for when they arrived at the site.
Quilla looked utterly dejected as he nibbled at his food. He’ll regret pouting later. The pirate had been helpful on the station but once they arrived on the planet, he quickly proved to be well out of his element. She worried about his survival. At least Andrews was a trained soldier.
Whatever training Quilla had is long-lost.
That just meant two more people requiring protection. Their objective didn’t seem all that difficult in the grand scheme of things. Vesper only wished she knew how many native soldiers they’d have on their side. None of them could even tell what sort of force they were facing down.
I bet Milna or Jok know. The fact they didn’t give up the information concerned her. I wonder how suspicious Niva is about them. They were crammed together out of necessity then no one had the opportunity to question the other’s motives. When we get out of here, that’ll be an interesting conversation.
Vesper worried they were consorting with the enemy. And if that was the case, they may well find themselves in a dangerous situation at the ruins. A tip off concerning their plan would be fatal. I wish I could ask Niva directly what we’re going to do about it. We’ve got too many little objectives masking the most important one.
Regardless, at least they had a path forward. Vesper thought she might wake up to total uncertainty. If it were up to her, she’d have them hold in the tunnels, wait for a rescue team to show up. The Triton will come for us. There’s no way Captain Barnes would leave us out here. And if not him, then the Brekka.
Griel didn’t seem like the type of man who abandoned his friends. Even if it meant risking trouble from his superiors. They’r
e going to have a fight on their hands when they get here. She had no idea how many ships the Kahl fielded, how badly they wanted to capture their quarry.
That part didn’t matter. If their two allies showed up, then she had faith they would leave the planet alive. Otherwise, with their current plan and resources available, she gave them a fifty-fifty shot at getting away alive. And even then, she doubted they’d all make it out whole.
You’re a real ray of sunshine, Vesper thought. Best to keep that to yourself or you can drop kick morale to the curb. Especially with a forced march in their near future. There’ll be plenty of complaining without me adding to it. Time to get my game face on. And do whatever it takes to get us all out of here alive.
***
Deilna in the bushes surrounded by towering trees. She looked out over a group of Kahl soldiers moving in a column toward the ruins. Twelve of them moved in a tight formation though the way they constantly looked around showed they were prepared for any sort of sneak attack.
We’ll see about that in a moment.
Sadila joined her. Of the other priestesses, she was the one most likely to speak her mind. Deilna knew what the woman had to say and there wouldn’t be any denying her the moment it would take. The two sat in silence for some time, observing the enemy.
“I thought you were getting medical attention,” Sadila said. “That you were going to remain in the center until your wounds sufficiently tended.”
“They are bandaged,” Deilna replied, “and the curative will take care of the rest. If we don’t hamper this patrol, they may well interfere with the whole purpose of having the outsiders do their business. That means we must strike them hard, kill or maim as many as we can, then move on.”
Sadila touched Deilna’s shoulder. “Begging your pardon, but are you certain of that? If we do all the work, why are we not initiating the defenses on our own? Why do we need these strangers? I think the Prophet would want us to stand rather than lean on people we cannot possibly trust.”
“The signs are true,” Deilna said. “We have seen them with our own eyes. You yourself agreed with them when the streaks burned the sky. Why would you doubt? Now of all times, we must affirm our faith.”
“I’ll follow you to death,” Sadila replied. “And I do not doubt you.”
“Then we’ll speak no more of it.” Deilna gestured. “Those fiends are moving away. Come. We must get to the point where the trees encroach on the path. That’ll make for a shorter charge.” She shoved away from her position, retreating into the forest. The other sisters fell in behind her.
Eight women joined this particular raid. Sadila’s concerns were justified from what they’d lost. Throughout the day, a good twenty-five of their order had been killed or crippled in the attacks. The rest were held in reserve for what they considered the final battle. The one in the ruins itself.
Until then, we thin their ranks, destroy their ability to scout, and enrage them into massing their army properly.
Deilna didn’t suffer any sort of pain on their trip from the caves to their position to oversee the scouts but as she ran through the woods on the uneven ground, her injuries began to sting. She pushed the pain out of her mind, focusing on the task at hand. They can’t be allowed to get to the ruins.
Whether or not their new allies could handle a fight with the invaders didn’t matter. Deilna believed they should be focused on getting the defenses up. What they did after might or might not help the cause. To her, they were heralds of the Prophet’s gaze falling upon them. When they did their part, her people needed to do theirs.
And that involves the kind of battle our Prophet simply cannot ignore.
Sadila moved in front of her, taking the lead. The younger woman stood to be the next in line for high priestess. She was cunning. An exceptional warrior, one able to make hard decisions and put the lives of others before hers. When the legends of their actions were written of that day, she’d figure prominently.
Her concern for me is touching. I hope she doesn’t think I’ll be staying behind.
The tree line shifted to the left. They followed it, drawing closer to their quarry. Sadila slowed to a halt, crouching to approach the bushes. Deilna joined her. She panted, fighting to catch her breath. Pain from her wounds fatigued her far more than she anticipated. A cut on her side felt wet.
Brilliant. I can’t let on about that. They made good enough time to pull ahead of the invaders, which meant she had a few moments before they threw themselves into battle. I’m not sure that’ll be enough time.
“You’re pale,” Sadila said. “Extremely so.”
“Tired,” Deilna replied, “not out.”
“I trust you. But you know Haulda will—”
“My mate does not know I came out here with you.”
Sadila turned to her, eyes wide. “My Lady… that—”
“Isn’t going to matter,” Deilna interrupted. “He knows as well as I do that this is important. We must do this or we’re opening ourselves to greater risk.”
“Of a prophecy not coming true?” Sadila shook her head. “Be safe. I am not ready to take up your title. Not yet. And certainly not during such a difficult time. Our people… the other priests are not going to listen to me the way they do you. My temper alone will put them off. We both know that.”
Deilna smirked. “Do you think I was any different when I claimed the title?” She patted the younger woman’s forearm. “Hold yourself in better regard. They will follow you. If I die now or in some distant future, they will accept your rule. Gallantry alone should do the trick, but if that’s not enough, I’m sure you’ll find the words.”
She reminds me so much of myself when I was her age. It’s uncanny. I recall having a similar conversation with the high priestess then. Deilna began her rule only a few seasons past Sadila’s age. And we both had similar, hard-line views. Her own doubt made it a hard sell with the other priestesses.
Perhaps youth breeds skepticism. Experience smooths it out. When she first joined the priesthood, she believed the opposite to be true. In their case, the more they saw, the more obvious their faith became. I’ll have to meditate on how that worked. Why we don’t become more cynical.
“They’re in position,” Sadila whispered to the others. “Prepare yourselves. Ghina, Chaul… I want the two of you to take positions there and there. Provide covering fire. Divert their attention. It should buy us a few moments to close the distance between here and there to get into melee range.”
The two other women headed out.
“Deilna,” Sadila spoke her name firmly. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you can make this. That you will survive and are not hampered by your injuries. Because if you are, you can stay in the trees and help the others lay down suppression.”
Such a brave woman. Going against twelve individuals with six or less. “I will be by your side, Sadila.” Deilna turned to the others. “Prepare yourselves! We make straight for them, hit those we can, and flee to the opposite side to the cover and safety of the trees. Are you ready?” She received solemn nods… women prepared to die in that charge.
We may well not make this one. Deilna drew a deep breath. She still felt winded though adrenaline helped settle her enough to make the charge. I am at peace, but this feels like my last run. My final attempt to achieve glory for the Prophet. Dying there meant never seeing the end of their journey, missing the payment for their faith.
Part of that price is blood. Deilna gripped her weapon tightly. And I have that to give.
Sadila made a quick hand gesture. Their sisters tore into the enemy column with rapid shots from their projectiles. Trees deadened the sound, displacing the exact direction they came from. After the first couple rounds threw chunks of dirt up around the soldiers, they broke ranks, spreading out.
“Charge!” Deilna rasped, bursting from the bushes in a sprint. A couple paces reminded her why she lost her breath earlier. She gritted her teeth against the pain, the constant stinging from every
step making her vision go red. Each gasp came through clenched teeth, driving her rage as much as it tensed her muscles.
The soldiers directed most of their attention toward the trees. Deilna fell behind the others. Sadila made it halfway to their targets before any of the men changed up their targeting. The sight of the silent women sprinting into the column seemed to startle the men, a couple of whom stumbled backward.
Then they found their discipline again, firing into the assault.
Sadila moved in a zig-zag pattern. Deilna, far enough behind the others, continued in a straight line. The others drew the fire. That was enough to let her close the final few paces, slicing her weapon toward the first target’s head.
She connected with his helmet, a glancing blow hard enough to knock him to the ground. Part of her wanted to turn, to stomp him or deliver some other coup de grace. There was no time. Continuing forward, following the plan, was the only way to keep the enemy on their toes.
Deilna body checked another on her way by then sprinted for the trees. She watched Sadila dive into the bushes then disappear into the darkness. The others followed suit. Their pistols rang out a moment later, joining Chaul and Ghina.
A glance over her shoulder proved to Deilna the plan worked… at least partially. Their opponents broke farther apart, putting more space between them. They formed a square, blasting at the trees from both sides without bothering to move for cover or even to evade the projectiles.
Seconds before Deilna made it to the trees, she saw why they didn’t care. One of the shots caught a man in the chest. He didn’t even stumble. The kinetic energy alone should’ve been enough to give him pause, or at least nudge him. But instead, he continued firing as if nothing happened.
Hot, searing pain exploded in Deilna’s left arm, just above the elbow. She screamed, tripped on a root then rolled the rest of the way into the trees. Lying on her back, she stared at the leaves high above her. A weight seemed to press upon her chest, a distinct heaviness that made every breath tingle.