Tapping her foot incessantly, Andralec stared at the ceiling. “Do you want my opinion?”
Queasy’s glare could sear a steak. No doubt his patience with the obnoxious robot had worn thin. “Okay, Smarty. What possible combination of species could exhibit such traits? We haven’t been able to identify any.”
The space between her eyes narrowed while she peered at him as if looking into his soul. “Which have you considered?”
Scooting her chair closer, Hoot was confident he would blow his stack. He hated when people beat around the bush.
The cantankerous scientist shook his head as his face turned beet-red. “All of them, of course!”
“Is that so? Did you confine your search to Earth?”
Oh no. Doesn’t Robo Girl know when to stop?
Flabbergasted, Queasy pounded the table with his fist. “Yes, why wouldn’t w…,” he paused for a moment and put his finger to his chin, “…are you implying?”
She lifted her nose high in flamboyant arrogance. “I’m implying nothing. I’m simply asking a question.”
The room fell silent.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
This is Nuts!
Late Afternoon
Queasy’s Dining Room
After the robot’s pompous but provocative insinuation, Hoot’s mind churned. The snatchers are aliens? What’s Andralec thinking?
She rolled her eyes. Ain’t no way. Speedy must have crossed a few wires inside Brainy Bucket’s noggin!
Evidently, Salty hadn’t bought into the android’s suggestion as his facial muscles stiffened. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. The CRINKTs could still be the ones behind all of this. We’ve got contacts inside the Chinese regime. We’ll check with them.”
Storm’s deep voice startled Hoot. “I can’t wait to hear what they have to say, but I was wondering; what could possibly cause those bright flashes we’ve seen when the snatchers seem to disappear?”
Andralec smiled. “Many things are possible, but I would think you’d be more interested in the most probable hypothesis.”
Frustrated beyond his limits, Queasy snapped. “Why must you be so difficult?”
“Me? Don’t you care about specifics?”
He huffed. “Just let us know what’s on your mind.”
Speedy vigorously tried to wave him off, but it was too late.
The robot lifted her finger. “Based on everything I’ve heard, I compute there’s a 39% probability of molecular transference; 26% whole-body transportation…;”
Hoot cocked her head. Hold it! What did she say? Molecular transference? Has Robo Girl fallen off her rocker?
If she didn’t know better, she’d think Andralec must have been plucked from a science fiction novel she’d recently read.
The android kept rambling. “…9% static discharge; 7% termination of life; 4% disposal of evidence; and less than 1% probability of illumination.”
Turning toward Queasy, the robot smiled. “Do you wish me to continue with all other negligible probabilities?”
The poor scientist aged right before Hoot’s eyes as he slumped. “Enough of your specifics. Just give us your top three next time. We’ll ask for more if necessary.” He sighed.
Andralec snatched Storm’s sunglasses from the table and positioned them at the end of her nose. “No problemo.”
Peering over the frames, she grinned at Storm. “Did I answer the question to your satisfaction?”
Before he could reply, Queasy interrupted. “Enough of your nonsense!”
He glanced at the Texans. “I thought you told us she was equipped with artificial intelligence!”
The robot’s eyes flashed red. “I beg your pardon. There’s nothing artificial about my intelligence. My intellect is as real as yours. In fact, it is far superior, being a collection of information and thought processes of the greatest minds that have ever lived on Earth.”
The scientist stared at Speedy, who quickly replied. “Remember how I told you she got her name?”
Queasy looked to the sky and shook his head. “We’ve been at this all day, and I’m downright ornery.” Everybody roared.
His frown softened to a grin. “Let’s pick this up in the morning at eight sharp. I’m sure we’ll all be eager to hear Salty’s feedback from the CRINKTs. Then, we can discuss why these monsters are hoarding organs and spinal fluid.”
A Couple of Hours Before Dusk
The Base of Erik the Red Mountains
After sending his sister and a couple of warriors home with the wagons, Zo led his brother and the other two Skalags by foot up the southern-most mountain trail. He faced his team. “Don’t take any chances. Let’s find out how many clickers we’re dealing with and where they live. Then, we’ll head back and regroup.”
Extending his neck, Gno looked down the sharp ledge and gulped. “I see why we left the horses behind.”
“Yep, only been up here once. Be careful.”
Little of what he saw so far made any sense. Zo bit his lip and glanced at his brother. “Tell me again. Why’d you have to send the drone back with the others?”
“It was useless. The lasers drained the energy.”
Gno looked up. “It’s getting late and way too cloudy to recharge it.”
“I feel naked without that drone or any denamods.”
His little brother nodded. “Know what you mean. I hope we don’t have to face any of those monsters up close.”
“You and me, both.” Encountering the likes of the beasts they witnessed at the cornfield without lasers in the sky seemed suicidal, but he had little choice. They were much too great a threat to his clan.
Several minutes after heading up the trail, it branched in two directions. Zo motioned to his warriors. “Spider, take Grunt with you and scout the higher ground. Gno and I will take this one further east.”
Zo looked at them. “Remember, find the clickers, but don’t take ‘em on by yourselves.”
Nodding, the grizzled female, wearing a caribou cape and an ominous headdress with elk antlers and boar tusks, led her companion up the steep slope.
When the fighters disappeared over a rise, Zo and his brother gingerly walked along the rocky path that grew narrower with each step. After rounding a bend, he stopped and placed his palm over his brow. His gaze settled on a lengthy wall along the horizon.
He groaned. “Ukkiville. It’s a lot bigger since the battle!” The sight of the village sent a twinge through his heart. Hope those monsters kill all the Ukes.
Gno shrugged. “It doesn’t look so far away.” He knelt and tightened the leather laces of his bear hide boot.
“Heights have a way of making things look closer.” An icy breeze smacked Zo’s face, causing goosebumps to spread across his arms.
He pulled his furry collar over his ears. “Getting cold. Let’s find these creepy clickers befo….”
Soul-gripping howls echoed across the canyon walls, and Gno clutched his arm. “I think they’ve found us.”
Dreadful clicks and chirps quickly followed and resonated throughout the mountains. The fear etched across his brother’s face sent shivers through Zo’s body.
A slight tremor shook the ground, followed by a loud rumble. His feet slid on the loose gravel, and he leaned back to regain his balance against the frigid cliff.
Gno’s eyes grew large. “Whoa! You feel that?”
A cloud of white flakes whisked from around the bend, while small pebbles tumbled down the ridge. Zo carefully edged his way toward the commotion and peeked around the corner. Mounds of snow and ice blocked the trail.
“Can’t go any farther. Let’s head back and catch up with the other two.”
Gno shook his head. “You sure about this?”
Higher in the Mountains
Grunt gripped his sword as nerve-wrenching chirps pierced his ears. He sucked a quick breath. “I hate that sound. It’s them, and they’re not that far away.”
Spider trudged onward. “Come on. It’s the same noi
se we’ve heard for weeks.”
“Yeah, but it’s much louder, and the ground moved. Did you feel those vibrations?”
“They’re just tremors. Keep going!”
Grunt fastened the top clasp of his elk hide and flipped the hood over his bald scalp. He trusted Spider and would take a spear for her or Zo, but doubts still nibbled at his gut.
Everybody saw what they did to the denamods. Why go after these monsters on our own?
He whispered loudly. “Not so fast. We don’t want to spook one of those things.”
Spider turned and scowled. “We won’t spook a thing with all your whining! Stop being a coward!” She marched ahead.
The further they went, the louder the chirps grew. Nearing a bend, his companion pivoted and raised a finger to her lips. “Quiet. I’m gonna check what’s ahead.”
Grunt’s chest thumped harder with each step Spider took. While his partner neared the corner, sweat trickled down his face. This is nuts! She’s gonna get us killed!
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Creepy Crawlers
A Moment Later
Erik the Red Mountains
Frustration brewed within Spider. Grunt’s such a baby. Having proved herself to the rest of the clan, it made little sense she rarely received opportunities to lead larger missions.
She glanced back at the sheepish warrior and shook her head. Why do I always get stuck with him?
A stone tumbled down the cliff from above. Grunt mumbled. It’s them. They’re up there watching us. I know it.”
Grabbing his shoulder, she spun him around. “Shut up! You’re driving me crazy!”
Another stone ricocheted off the bluff and across the trail. Fighting Ukes was one thing, but she’d prefer never again witnessing anything like the slaughter of the denamods. Spider froze and held her breath. Maybe, he’s right?
Her jugular pounded against her neck as she unsheathed her sword and edged closer.
Grunt smirked. “See, I’m not the only one.”
She waved him off. The ground rumbled again, and a billowing mass of dust enveloped her.
As it cleared, she rubbed her eyes. The growing chorus of chirps resonating throughout the canyon’s bluffs knifed her ears.
She gritted her teeth and slowly peeked around cliff’s wall. A pile of large rocks filled the trail.
Spider glanced at her terrified companion. “The path’s blocked.”
Unstrapping her sword, she leaned it against the cliff. “Stay put. I’m gonna try to see what’s ahead.”
His voice shook. “Why? Let’s just go!”
Retreat appealed to her, but the thought of facing Zo with nothing to report shot a chill down her spine.
She shivered and clenched her jaw. “It’ll just take a second. Keep your eyes peeled!”
After turning the corner, she gingerly crawled up the boulders. Those monsters can’t be too far.
The large rocks teetered with her slightest movement, but she steadied herself and continued upward. When Spider neared the top, she drew a deep breath.
Lifting her head, she froze and gasped. It can’t be!
Hundreds of monsters, similar to the group they faced earlier that day, crawled along the bluff’s walls like heinous-looking lizards. She ducked and turned. “Grunt! Get out of….”
A blur flashed from above, and a snatcher clamped its jaws around her companion’s head. Blood streamed down his face as he screamed.
His terrified eyes shifted toward her and stared. The monster chomped harder, and Grunt’s horrific shrieks softened to muffled gurgles.
A wisp of hot air rushed down her neck, while the caustic stench of ammonia burned her nostrils. Her heart lurched. Never had she been so scared.
When Spider slowly pivoted, a long appendage sprang and clutched her throat. Visions of her pa’s face as a denamod devoured him several years ago haunted her.
Was she about to suffer the same demise? Why hadn’t she listened to Grunt’s pleas?
She gasped for air while clawing at the scratchy trunk that squeezed tighter with each twitch of her body. Was this the end? I’ve got to break free!
The beast lifted its paw, and the moon’s reflection glistened off a shiny object in its clutch. Searing pain shot through her heart as she kicked and screamed. The monster’s massive jaws stretched wide.
The Lower Ridge
Hearing screams, Gno and his brother hurried up the trail taken by the other two warriors. As the daylight faded, he kept one eye on the slippery path and the other on the ledge to the abyss below. Better be careful!
The resonating clicks and chirps grew louder while he made his way up the slope. He loved his brother, but why must he be a hero all the time?
Zo’s voice prodded. “You’re slowing down. Keep going!”
Picking up the pace, Gno shook his head. Can’t we just hightail it away from these stupid monsters this one time? Guilt tweaked his heart, but he didn’t want to die.
He rushed around the bend and slid to a stop. Unable to move, he gawked at the horrific scene.
Crystallized blood covered the canyon wall. His stare inched higher following two cascades of glistening crimson. His stomach churned as he covered his eyes.
Zo yelled. “No!”
With burning liquid forcing its way up to the back of Gno’s throat, he gagged. A second later, puke shot from his mouth. He slowly turned his head for another look.
Partway up the bluff, the gored bodies of Spider and Grunt lay draped over a ridge — headless and still dripping blood.
Late Evening
Behind Skeeter’s Home
Thrilled to camp out with his newest buddy, Skeeter plopped on a blanket and gazed at the stars. He enjoyed the comfort of his robot friend but felt even safer with Hoot and Hound Dog around the corner on the front porch. Never know when snatchers might be lurkin’.
Stuffing that scary notion to the back of his mind, he turned his attention toward Angella. “Ain’t this perfect?”
She placed a log on the fire. “What do you mean?”
“Being out here together and lookin’ at the sky.”
“I certainly enjoy your company but observing blackness with scattered dots of distant light isn’t that appealing. My memory banks already contain all the better-known constellations and planetary orbits. I can simply close my eyes and picture whatever I’d like to view of the known galaxies.”
Skeeter shook his head. “You sure know how to spoil a fun time, don’t you?”
Sounds whirred within the robot’s chest for a second. “I’ve been told that before. Speedy has called me everything from ‘boring’ to ‘downright impossible,’ but I’ll try to adjust.”
Out from the dark, Jaws approached and circled Skeeter before slumping across his legs. He reached down and petted his trusty dog under the chin.
Angella mused. “You seem to like that canine quite a bit.”
“Sure do. He’s been my pet since my first birthday. Love him to pieces.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” She paused a second. “Now, that’s a human trait I could do without.”
She pressed an area of her abdomen. “Note to Speedy: minimize my forgetful level.”
Twisting her torso, she opened a little door above her waist and reached inside. She withdrew her hand and opened her palm.
A green creature of sorts rested motionless across her fingers. While its broad snout, bulging peepers, and padded toes looked like the bullfrogs, he and Jaws chased along the shores of the Lake of Dreams, the metallic, segmented spine of its skinny body was very peculiar.
Skeeter gawked. “Wicked! What is it?”
A smile spread across her face. “Meet Croaker.” She flipped the odd amphibian over and pressed a tiny, black button under its chin.
As its legs and head began to move, Angella placed it on her shoulder. Jaws growled, and the fearless contraption’s eyes glowed red while it stared at the dog. The pooch slowly backed away and whimpered.
Ske
eter frowned and glared at the frog. “That’s not very friendly.”
Angella smiled. “There’s no need to worry. Croaker wouldn’t hurt any person or animal unless it really felt threatened.”
A mosquito buzzed around Jaws head, and a small lid on the frog’s snout lifted. A thin red beam streamed through the air, and a tiny flame burst nearby with a pop. A smoldering, black spec floated to the ground.
The android laughed. “Insects, on the other hand, are fair game for Croaker. Mosquitoes don’t have a chance. What it doesn’t smoke with its lasers, it zaps with its long tongue.”
Angella turned toward Skeeter. “Now that our pets have been introduced, how can I make the rest of your evening more pleasurable?”
He patted the blanket. “Come, lay next to me so we can look at the sky together.”
“If you so desire.” She carefully positioned herself on the soft, flannel cloth in the opposite direction with her feet up by his head.”
Skeeter rolled his eyes. “No, not that way! Lay with your head up here by mine so we can talk more easily.”
A Tic Later
Angella never understood the human’s penchant for issuing requests without the necessary specifics. It’s as if they were born with half a brain, if that much.
She glanced at the young man as she repositioned herself. “You could save me a lot of time by providing more details in the first place.”
“Just relax and enjoy the evening.” Grinning, he pointed toward the southern sky. “See that? What are those big, orange circles with the white dots in the middle?”
“They’re Halos, huge space stations constructed of four revolving magnets called Gatherers. The more of the sun’s energy they collect, the faster the rotation until they reach phenomenal speeds and look like glowing white spheres. As the energy increases, it is funneled into a gigantic ring that gives off a huge orange glow or halo, surrounding the entire space station.”
Her buddy’s eyes began to glaze, but she ignored his rudeness and finished her thought.
The New World: Crimson Winter Page 12