The New World: Crimson Winter

by Andy Skrzynski

  South of Ukkiville

  While his son chatted with the Texans, Thoruk and his team navigated Slayer in search of the strange beast. The engine whined as the armored vehicle continued along the trail to the Lake of Dreams.

  Thoruk’s skin crawled from being cramped in the tight cabin. Having technology at your fingertip was one thing, but the growing claustrophobia drove him nuts.

  He scanned the quarters for any possible distraction and settled on his daughter. “Don’t you ever get tired of wearing that old thing?” He pointed at her tattered vest, bearing witness to harsh winters and several battles.

  “Never! This is my badge of honor. Remember this fight?” Caru flipped her bronze ponytail from her shoulder and pointed at four evenly spaced slashes across the back of the black leather protector.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, those baboon-lizard things. You were lucky.”

  “No doubt about it. We were all lucky that night.” A wry grin spread across her face.

  “That was a long time ago.” As the tension eased, he remembered the most recent incident. “Seems you were fortunate again when you encountered that weird creature hightailing from Bartuk’s place. It could’ve attacked you.”

  “For sure. I just hope Little Brother and Queasy get some answers.”

  He snickered at Caru’s persistent nickname for her twin even though she was only minutes older than he. “I agree. Maybe the Defenders have heard of such a monster.”

  Slayer’s roar quieted, and the vehicle slowed to a stop.

  Wolfuk looked at him. “We’re here. Nothing unusual on the screen so far.” Ukkiville’s Master of Arms looked at his navigator, Tropokt. “What do you think?”

  The once-Skalag-turned-friend waved his hand in a circle. “Let’s drive around the lake and check the waters. We don’t know that it can’t swim.”

  Caru chimed in. “Never thought of that. It could be hiding.”

  Thoruk spoke into the tiny mouthpiece extending from his helmet. “Storm! Can you guys hear us? Have you seen anything yet?”

  The voice of his lifelong buddy broke through the cabin’s speakers. “Loud and clear. Nothing here at this point.”

  “Alright. Keep scouting Wolverine Forest. We’re about to check the lake.”

  Storm replied. “Will do.”

  Slayer’s engine grew louder, and the vehicle lurched forward. Wolfuk swung the monitor closer toward Thoruk and Caru. “Here, you guys watch as we round the lake. Look for something bigger than we’d expect in these waters, just in case.”

  After passing the community dock, several blips at depths above a much larger blob appeared on the display. Thoruk pointed. “Zoom on that sucker at the bottom of the lake. It’s huge. Do ya see it?”

  Wolfuk peered at the panel. “The one near the drop-off by that marker?”

  “Yeah. Looks like it’s sniffing around someone’s trout line.”

  The Master of Arms looked at Tropokt and waved his hand. “Let’s swing this metal crate around to face that orange float.”

  The lake’s surface churned near the area, and several fish squirted in the air. “Hurry! Get closer! Something’s spooking ‘em.”

  Wolfuk moved a lever forward, and the image of that section grew larger. “Can’t see anything yet. According to Seeker, the big one’s rising toward the commotion.”

  Caru touched the screen. “Wicked! Look at the scale. It’s almost seven-foot long.”

  Thoruk shook his head. “That’s certainly not normal! Lock on it!”

  His heart quickened. “Get ready. Once it breaks the surface, and you confirm it’s abnormal, take it out. We don’t want any monsters in our lake — whatever it is.”

  A red circle with a cross-hair moved across the screen over the largest blob and turned yellow. The Master of Arms nodded. “Locked and ready to fire.”

  A second after the creature burst through the surface, Wolfuk pressed a button on the display, and a green beam streamed from Slayer to that point in the water. Several fish from the surrounding area leapt high in the air. A large, dark silvery body flopped and splashed for a moment, then stilled as it floated on the surface.

  Caru gasped. “Blazes! Another weird looking fish. It’s probably Zo’s doing.”

  A few lake trout bobbed in the water. Wolfuk shrugged. “Oops. I forgot how powerful the laser is. A couple of the little ones behind it got fried.”

  Following the instantaneous laughter, Storm’s voice broke the air. “Wolfy, my man. Sounds like you smoked a few innocent swimmers.”

  The Master of Arms sneered. “Look who’s talking. Aren’t you the one that almost took out your own cabin?”

  “Not me. That was Tree Killer, here.”

  “Yeah, but ain’t he part of your team?”

  Hearing enough, Thoruk opened the hatch and looked at his daughter. “You wanna help me while these fools blabber?”

  “You bet!” She popped her head above the opening. “We can use the boat by the dock.”

  “Great! Let’s get that muclone and take it to Queasy. We’ll gather the other dead fish for dinner.”

  Storm smirked. “Save some for us. We’ll still be out here hunting tonight and tomorrow while you wimps head home.”

  “No way. Finders keepers. Let me know if you run into anything else. I’ll keep my communicator on.”

  “If I have to, but you better fill me in on what IQ Man says about your catch.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Hunting the Beast

  The Scientist’s Cabin

  Eager to share what he and his assistant learned of the cattle killer, Queasy kept his eyes glued to the Texans on the screen in his room.

  The lines across Salty’s weathered face deepened as he continued the chat. “What happened at Bartuk’s place? Sounds pretty serious.”

  Queasy leaned forward in his seat. “As a matter of fact, the observations during and after the attack are as frightening as any we’ve ever seen. The creature’s stranger than any we’ve witnessed before.”

  Leaning back, Speedy placed his hands behind his shaved head. “Isn’t that normal for muclones? They’re usually pretty weird.”

  Teli fidgeted with an antique switchblade he usually kept in his pocket as his only weapon, other than a pencil. “This one’s much weirder. You can see through that creature’s transparent hide. Also, it slaughtered seven of Bartuk’s cows in a flash.”

  Salty straightened in his chair. “Tell me more.”

  Queasy stood and paced back and forth. “I really don’t know where to start.”

  He paused. “We’re not even sure what species were mutated to make up this beast. Part of our defensive training includes a thorough study of insects, animals, and plants around the world to be better prepared for such surprises from the Skalags, but nobody has any clues to the origins of this monster. We figure Zo must be acting out in revenge for his parents’ death during the last battle.”

  Resuming his pace, he described the gory details of the strange beast’s attack, including the extraction of the cow organs and spinal fluid.

  In the middle of explaining how Hoot and her buddies got into hunting it, Speedy interrupted. “What about your cam. Did you get any video of the creature or the results from the attack?”

  Teli slipped his knife back into his pocket. “Unfortunately, the camera was attached to Chili during our encounter, and between her movement and the speed of the creature, all we can see are blurs — nothing intelligible. During our chase, the cam slid around to the bottom of Chili’s neck. From that point, it was all fur. We were so busy at the scene of the attack, we didn’t think to shoot any video of the carcasses.”

  Queasy blurted. “But we’ve got videos of our examinations in my cabin. We’ll send those right after our chat.”

  He raised his forefinger. “But before we end our talk, there’s a couple of more very peculiar things. During their hunting expedition, Hoot and her friends encountered the beast after it had attacked the cattle. Unfortunat
ely, Proto tried to use his powers to communicate with it. When they connected, the monster took control of Proto’s brain and harmed his short-term memory. We’re not sure what really happened. All Proto remembers is some bright flash and extreme pain. Lucky, he broke it off when he did, or it could have done some serious damage.”

  Salty rubbed his chin. “Have you seen anything like that from any other muclone?”

  “Never! This thing’s the scariest creature we’ve ever come across.”

  “You said there were two things?”

  “Yes. The fluid coursing through the creature’s body had a weird color, so Teli analyzed it.”

  Barely audible, Tiger mumbled. “Copper.”

  Salty shot a glare, and she sat up straight while forcing a smile.

  Teli stared at Queasy in disbelief. “Yes, more than 40% copper. How did you know, and how’s that possible?”

  Silence filled the air as the Texans looked at each other.

  Realizing his remote friends weren’t inclined to share any more, Queasy perked up. “We’re still investigating the evidence. In the meantime, Thoruk and Wolfuk are preparing two teams to search for this strange creature.”

  The Texans remained quiet. Almost 10 seconds passed before the admiral spoke out. “It’s probably just another one of the Skalags’ muclones, but more advanced. We need to discuss this here in Texas before we can talk about this further.”

  Apprehension tugged at Queasy’s soul. Something about Salty’s reaction and the silence that followed didn’t sit right. It also seemed odd that the admiral quickly dismissed the event as something more common. How did Tiger know about the copper? They certainly knew more! Did the Texans simply not want to worry Ukkiville? If this seems trivial to the Defenders, have they already found worse threats?

  As his mind churned, Queasy didn’t want to appear more concerned than usual, so he changed the subject. “Yes, let’s get together very soon and talk about this creature in more depth. We’d also love to learn more about AI and how you generate Halo Power. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface when you first told us about those things. Could we spend some time discussing them in the next couple of weeks?”

  The admiral nodded. “Query Andralec. She can fill you in on everything you’d like to know, but first, we need to focus on this new creature you’ve encountered. Let us know what Thoruk and his team find.”

  Still uneasy, Queasy grinned. “Perfect. Now let’s figure out what Zo’s been creating lately. By the way, Thoruk asked us to keep this hushed — just between us and a small group. We don’t want to panic the village. We’ll talk soon.”

  He glanced at the suspended globe. “Halo, terminate chat.”

  Salty cast a dismayed look at Tiger as the visual of the Defenders froze for a moment, then disappeared.

  The Next Morning on October 19, 2105

  Deep Within Wolverine Forest

  Hoot rode her stallion, Erik the Red, alongside Terminator. Slasher stood on an oak contraption crafted to allow her protector to sit beside her on horseback. Can’t believe Woody made this perch for my birthday. I told him at least 20 times my heart isn’t in the same place as his, but will he listen? He’s the eternal optimist if I ever met one!

  She turned toward the eagle. “What do you think? He’s too old for me anyway, isn’t he?” She patted the eagle’s leather hood. “Be ready, Boy. We’re gonna need your eyes to help find this thing.”

  Her pet softly squawked as she spoke into the mic extending from her helmet. “Pa. You see anything?”

  Storm responded. “Naw, nothing yet. Uh, hold it a sec! I think Doggy Breath spotted something.”

  Hound Dog’s husky voice flooded the communication waves. “See that?”

  Hoot scanned the area. “What? Where?”

  “Ten o’clock. Looks like a huge pile.”

  She jerked her head in that direction. “Got it! Come on, Red.” She tugged the rein to the left. Snorting, her steed picked up the pace.

  Thoruk broke in. “Careful now. I don’t see any heat signatures but keep a wary eye.”

  Nearing the pile, she pulled on the reins, and her horse halted its approach.

  She reached over and removed the hood from her pet. “Alright, Slasher. See if you can spot something. Go!”

  The eagle leapt from its perch. Swooshes followed each downward thrust of its magnificent white-tipped wings as it ascended through the forest’s colorful canopy.

  Hoot hopped off her stallion and gingerly approached the peculiar pile. A swarm of flies buzzed the area.

  “Ugh.” She quickly covered her nostrils. “You won’t believe this!”

  Her father blurted. “What?”

  She waved her arm. “Zoom that lens over here.”

  After Storm had a chance to look, he inquired. “Is that what I think it is? Looks like a dozen carcasses. Any humans?”

  Hoot raised her brow. “Hard to tell. Mostly animals from what I can see — at least twenty — lots of antlers.”

  Off in the distance, her eagle screeched.

  She spun toward the noise. “Slasher’s found something! Come on!”

  Hound Dog’s voice shattered the air. “Which direction?”

  She yelled while jumping on her horse. “Three o’clock. Yah! Let’s go, Red!”

  As her mount thundered around a thicket, Terminator whirled in a cloud of dust and jolted forward. Hoot leaned forward and stroked her stallion’s neck. “Careful, Boy. Don’t know what’s ahead.”

  Rocking back and forth, she clung tightly to the chestnut mane. Her heart pounded as if trying to escape while her steed barreled ahead.

  The voice of her younger brother, Skeeter, resonated in her helmet. “Teli and I have been listening. We’re sending a drone!”

  “Great. Just don’t let it near Slasher!”

  “We won’t. It’s on the way! Should arrive in less than two minutes.”

  When Hoot cleared a cluster of brush, she spotted Terminator standing in the middle of a clearing. “Pa, did you find anything?”

  “We’ve picked up the heat signature of a creature moving very fast. Don’t come any closer. It’s about a hundred yards to your right.”

  Hound Dog chipped in. “As quick as it is, it might be that weird beast that killed Bartuk’s cows! Haven’t seen it yet, so we’re not sure.”

  With her pulse quickening, Hoot spun Red and looked around.

  Slasher’s screech shattered the hum of the cam’s zoom. She glanced at the sky. Her protector fluttered directly above her.

  Storm hollered. “There it is! It’s circling to your rear!”

  Hoot’s heart lurched, and before she blinked an eye, the beast charged.

  Her father yelled. “Hound Dog, lock and fire! Now!”

  “I’m trying! It’s moving too fast!”

  A blur from above startled her as Slasher dove through the treetops and swiped at the beast’s head. The creature swerved, barely escaping the eagle’s talons.

  Storm blared. “Hoot! Get out of there! It’s coming for you!”

  She gulped and dug her heels into Red’s flanks. “Yah!” A knot swelled in her gut.

  The steed’s muscles twitched against her calves, and it bolted forward.

  Her father’s voice knifed her ears. “Hurry! It’s closing on you!”

  Lowering her head, she yelled. “Faster, Boy!”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Outflanked

  Within Moments

  Queasy’s Cabin

  Skeeter feared for his sister’s life as he stared at the drone’s cam feed and hollered at his buddy. “Quick! Do something!”

  Teli’s retort buzzed in the background. “I’m doing the best I can!”

  As Skeeter gawked at the screen, his chest burned. The whole scene slowed to a crawl in his mind. The tight, yellowish fur of the creature bore small, dark spots, and its body was sleek with a long tail, much like pictures of a cheetah but bigger.

  This can’t be Hoot’s monster
; the hide’s not transparent! His right eye twitched as a bead of sweat dripped over his brow. Brutish, its head is weird!

  From the muclone’s crusted, dark-brown cranium protruded a long, pointed snout. The monster’s jaws snapped with each stride as it swiftly closed the gap. Skeeter focused on the display and held his breath.

  Slasher dove at the beast. Extending its talons, the eagle swiped the charging attacker’s back. The mutant shrieked in pain and darted to the left.

  Skeeter thrust his fist high. “That’s the way! Get it Slasher!”

  After the avian protector rose for another pass, the beast lowered its horned snout and rammed Red. The stallion reared and tumbled to the ground, pinning Hoot’s leg.

  His sister screamed. “Aah! What’s happening?”

  Terrified, Skeeter’s heart lurched. He had never seen her hurt so bad, and when he tried to yell, “get out of there,” his voice failed him.

  She tugged on her leg, but the horse’s weight prevented her escape. The monster gingerly circled as if inspecting his sister for a moment, then charged again.

  Squealing, the stallion sprang to his feet. Hoot struggled to flee but couldn’t rise.

  An icy chill clutched Skeeter’s heart. That thing’s gonna kill her!

  He clenched his jaw and stared at the monitor. As if by magic, the cross-hair on the cam’s screen slid over the beast’s image and locked. A narrow, green beam streamed from the drone, barely missing Slasher. Squawking, the eagle veered away as the bright ray of light struck the muclone between strides.

  In midair, its body split along the spine, and both halves flopped to the ground. Blood cascaded from each section and soaked the soil.

  Teli’s shocked voice filled the air. “It’s dead! How’d that happen?” He gaped at Skeeter. “Was that you?”

  “Not sure, but I had to do something.” The air escaped his lungs. “It was going to kill Hoot!”

  His friend’s gaze darted to the display and back at him. “But how? You didn’t even touch the screen or speak any commands.”