by S. J. Bryant
"The key?" Nova said.
"Don't pretend like you don't know. I'm sure everyone in this damned place knows that I found it."
"Look," Aart said. "My name is Aart, what's your's?"
"Cara. Not that it's any of your business. But I suppose you won't live to know it very long."
"Whoa there, Cara. We don't know anything about a key. We just came up here because we thought you could use some help."
"Well I didn't, I can manage just fine. Thank you very much."
Nova's face flushed, she'd had quite enough from the miniature Hunter. "Look you little runt. I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but I would suggest you pull your head in. One of our companions died trying to save your sorry arse, so how about instead of trying to play with the big-people, you cut the shit."
Nova stepped forward so that she stood only one pace away from the girl. The smaller woman's weapon pressed into Nova's stomach but Nova paid it no mind. It hadn't taken long to sum up the girl. She was a newbie Hunter; probably on her first mission. She wouldn't have the guts to shoot in cold blood, not if there was a chance that Nova had saved her life.
"How dare you!" Cara said. "I have a gun."
"Yes, you do," Nova said. She glanced left, behind the girl's shoulder. Cara followed her gaze.
Nova seized the opportunity, grabbed hold of the pistol, and side-stepped to her right. She moved out of the gun's line just as the trigger went off. A purple bolt of energy sizzled through the air. Now that Nova had a firm grip on the barrel she twisted and pulled. The gun came out of the smaller girl's hands without a hint of resistance. It was easier than taking candy from a baby.
"What the—" Cara said.
Nova trained the gun back on Cara, casting an imposing figure. "I suppose you used to have a gun."
"I—I—" Cara stammered.
Nova clicked the gun's safety and stepped away from the stairs. "How about we start again? You say thank you to us for saving your sorry life. You take the time to thank Tommy for his sacrifice, and then you tell us what the hell this key is."
Cara folded her arms across her chest, her good hand clasping her bleeding wound. "I don't have to answer you."
"No, I suppose you don't. But before you choose that option, just know that I'm not afraid to kill people. Even tiny people like you."
Cara's eyes widened.
"In fact, I've done it many times before. Aart, how many children would you say we killed on Taive?"
"At least thirty," Aart chimed in. He leaned back against the railing of the walkway, his arms folded across his chest.
"And how many people would you say I've killed?" Nova asked over her shoulder, keeping her eyes locked on Cara's.
"I've lost count. Hundreds probably, especially if you count the Confederacy."
"Right, so do you think I'd have any problem killing little Cara here?"
"To be honest, I'm surprised she's not dead already."
Nova nodded. "Right, there we go."
Cara's eyes flicked between Nova and Aart. Her skin had lost all colour; she looked like a pale ghost in the dim light of the prison. She breathed hard and her hands shook by her sides.
"You'll let me live if I tell you about the key?" Cara whispered.
"For now," Nova said. "As long as you cooperate with us."
Cara glanced at the stairs. She looked again at Nova and her shoulders fell.
"Fine."
Nova lowered the gun but didn't put it away. "Good."
"It's this," Cara said, reaching into a deep pocket with her uninjured arm. Her hand came out clutching a large metal key. It could have been an ancient relic, covered in rust with an intricate design of flowers decorating the end.
"Where'd you get that?" Nova said. She wanted to touch its rusted surface, to feel the history of it.
"I found it in one of the cells. I think it opens the door out of here."
"Give it to me," Nova said, holding out her hand.
Cara snatched the key close to her chest. "No. I found it."
Nova frowned and lifted the gun. She didn't point it at Cara, but it was enough to remind the girl of her position.
"Fine," Cara said, thrusting out her hand. Nova took the key between her thumb and forefinger and marvelled at the detail.
"Have you seen the door out of here?"
Cara jutted her chin down the stairs. "At the end of the block."
Nova nodded and gestured for Cara to lead the way. They stopped at Tommy's body and Cara looked down at him with an unreadable expression. She clenched her hands into fists and turned away, storming to the stairs.
"Sorry, Tommy," Nova whispered, following Cara down.
Aart came behind her and their boots clunked on the metal stairs. They found Cara at the bottom, her back flat against the nearest wall and her hands splayed.
"There's someone here," she whispered.
Nova listened. The sound of soft crying weaved through the air.
"Maya," she said, a hard ball forming in her throat.
Without another word, Nova hurried across the hall into the cell where they'd left Maya. Instead of a strong woman, they found a huddled mess, shaking against the far wall. Her sobs echoed about the cell, filled with anguish.
"Maya…" Nova said, unsure what to say next.
"He was a good man. The best."
Aart moved past Nova and knelt on the floor next to Maya, laying a hand on her shoulder. She collapsed against his chest and gripped his shirt.
"He didn't deserve that. He was a good man."
Nova glared at the ground, refusing to acknowledge the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. She didn't trust herself to speak because the ball in her throat was so big that she struggled to breathe and had to settle for short sharp gasps that prickled her chest.
"He was a good man," Aart said, wrapping his arms around Maya.
She sobbed harder, her tears soaking through his shirt and darkening the material.
"He was a brave man and he probably saved us all," Aart said. "I'll never forget him."
Maya's red face screwed up and tears poured down her cheeks.
"I suppose you two were more than just fellow Hunters," Aart whispered.
Maya nodded but didn't speak.
Cara stepped forward, clearing her throat, a ragged piece of cloth fluttered from her arm where she'd bound her wound. A red smudge marked each of her cheeks and her lips shook as she opened her mouth. "He saved my life."
Maya blinked and turned to face Cara, pulling back from Aart's embrace.
"He didn't have to, but he did. No one's ever done something like that for me before."
Maya sniffed as more tears spilled down her face, glinting like jewels in the low light.
Cara took a deep breath. "I know it probably doesn't make any difference to you. You'd rather I was dead than your friend, but I'll never forget him."
Maya nodded and looked down at her hands. Her fingers bent into claws and dug into the fabric of her pants.
"I know you don't want to move," Aart said, laying a hand on Maya's arm. "But the sooner we get off this planet, the better. Who knows what the crazy bastard has planned."
Maya used the steel bed to haul herself to her feet, where she wobbled on shaky legs. "Can we take Tommy's… body?"
Nova studied the wall, sure that she'd never be able to look Maya in the eye ever again. She'd agreed with Aart to go and save Cara, and Tommy had died because of it. How could Maya ever forgive that? If their roles were reversed, Nova couldn't deny that she would probably have stabbed Maya by now.
Aart climbed to his feet and laid his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Maya. We can't carry him, it would be too much. But once we get off this damned planet we can send a team back, dig him out."
Maya gritted her teeth and marched for the door, brushing past Nova and Cara as she went. "Then let's leave."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Nova shoved the key into the rusted metal lock and turned it to the
right. Something inside the door clicked. She pushed against the metal monstrosity and it swung open on rusted hinges.
She'd been expecting more darkness. More poorly lit tunnels with stale air and creatures lurking in the shadows. Instead, she came face to face with bright daylight. Bright colours, a cacophony of sounds, and the smell of leaves assaulted her senses. Fresh wind rushed against her skin, carrying away the clinging darkness of the tunnels and the despair that had gripped her like cobwebs.
The metal door opened up to the outside. Or at least if it wasn't the outside it was the best holographic replication she'd ever seen. Trees extended away from the door and hard-packed dirt and hardy grass covered the ground. Birds tweeted in the trees and the wind rustled the leaves. Even the blue-tinged light couldn't take away the beauty of being outside.
Nova stepped through the doorway and into the fresh air. She turned to look back at her companions. They stood frowning and squinting up at the sky.
The metal door opened out from a collection of rocks, almost a cliff-face. It fit so well against the stone that Nova couldn't believe that the rocks were real.
She reached out and brushed her fingers along one such boulder. The hard roughness felt real, as did the weight when she tried to push it out of the way.
"Well this is unexpected," Aart said.
Nova nodded. "We should be able to make it to the shipping yard from here and get off this damned planet."
"Any idea which direction we should be going?" Aart asked.
Nova frowned. "Not a clue. I can't get through to Cal or Crusader either."
"Oh, don't worry my dear. There's nothing wrong with your equipment," the voice of the Watcher echoed around them.
Nova jumped and drew her gun. She glared up into the trees but again there was no sign of anyone. Simple speakers could be made to such minuscule dimensions that she'd never be able to find them, even if she had a lifetime to look, which she didn't.
"You people are Hunters," the Watcher said. "So tell me, what is the greatest hunt?"
Nova glanced at her companions and they looked back at her with the same angry and confused expressions. What was this guy playing at? So many times she'd thought she was a step ahead but clearly he'd been planning every bit of their journey. And the bigger question, why? Why set up such an elaborate trap in the first place?
"No guesses? Well I'll tell you," he said. "You see, the greatest hunt of all is human. It's only then that you get to test your true skills against something that has all the same advantages you do."
Aart spat into the dirt. "I don't like where this is going."
The voice chuckled. "Quite right, Artemis Goldson. Today, right here, you will all get the opportunity to participate in the greatest hunt."
"We're not hunting each other," Nova said. She clenched her teeth and glared at the trees. Hadn't the nutcase learnt by now that they weren't going to kill each other? After the experience in the prison they wouldn't turn on each other. Not anymore.
"You mistake me, Nova Tabryn. I didn't mean you would be the hunter. Oh no. Today you are the prey." Mad giggling erupted from the hidden speakers.
"What?" Aart frowned as he glanced at the others.
Nova crouched, her gun drawn, and scanned the trees for anything out of the ordinary, any sign of danger. If what she thought he was suggesting was happening then things were about to get very ugly.
"Ah, now you see," the Watcher said. "Yes, I have a very gifted Hunter just waiting to try out his talents on you."
"Why don't you come and face us yourself?" Nova said, whipping her head from side to side.
"I'm quite comfortable where I am. Besides, I much prefer to watch."
"We will come for you," said Nova. "I will personally hunt you down and when I do, you'll wish you'd never invited us to this damned planet."
"Ah, Nova. I should have known you'd be the first to lay a threat. Although that's what keeps you running isn't it? Anger? Anger at your parents. Anger at your home planet. Anger at the Confederacy. Don't you wish you could just escape? Get past the border?"
Nova clenched her mouth shut. How did this stranger know so much about her? He would pay. Oh, he would pay well. "There are four of us. We won't run from your Hunter. We can easily shoot him down. Bring it on."
"I thought you might say that," said the Watcher. "So let me let you in on a secret. I may have said it would be a fair fight, same advantages and all that. The truth is, I lied. This particular Hunter won't stop for your simple plasma pistols."
"You're bluffing," Nova said. What kind of mod would make a creature immune to plasma blasts?
"Believe what you want, orphan of Tabryn. Before you can hunt me down, you have to survive. I would suggest you start running, but of course you could always stand and take your chances. You've almost lost your head-start."
Aart stepped forward. "What?"
"We have to move," Nova said.
"Where are we going to go?" Maya asked. "It all looks the same and we have no idea where we are."
"There!" Aart pointed at the horizon.
Nova squinted against the sun's glare. Far in the distance the trees thinned, forming a clearing, and in the center, metal glinted. "The ships."
Aart nodded. "It has to be."
Clara glanced up at the sun and back to the horizon. "We'll never make it by nightfall."
"So we'll keep running in the dark," Nova said, hoisting her bag higher on her shoulders.
Something above them moved and loose stones skittered down the cliff, raining onto Nova's shoulders.
"Run!" she screamed, her feet pounding against the hard dirt.
Aart and the others dashed after her, breathing hard.
"What the hell was that?" Aart said between breaths.
Nova bit her lip, pain shooting up her injured side. "I didn't get a good look, but I know I don't want it to get any closer."
The gentle slope fell away under Nova's feet and she fell to her side, sliding down the steep hill. Rocks grazed her ribs and tore her palms. She rolled onto her back and let the momentum carry her forward until the slope softened, forcing her back to her injured legs.
Branches snapped just behind her, accompanied by heavy footsteps.
She leaned forward and pumped faster, trees whizzing past on either side and twigs slapping her bare skin. Something tugged loose at her side and wet warmth spread out from her wound.
"Dammit," she whispered, glancing at the spreading patch of new blood.
Aart flashed like a blur on her right, darting between the trees and leaping over fallen branches. Two other, less familiar, shapes ran on her left, crashing through the undergrowth.
Sweat poured down Nova's face and her lungs ached with each breath. Her heart hammered against her ribcage and the thought of something hunting her sent adrenalin pouring through her veins.
"I think we've lost it," Cara's strained voice drifted through the trees.
Nova listened, but couldn't make out anything over her own pounding footsteps.
"I can't hear it either," Maya said, slowing.
On Nova's other side Aart stumbled to a stop and tilted his head. "You're right. I can't see it."
Nova stumbled to a stop several paces past Aart and bent double, breathing hard. Her aching legs wobbled and the leaves at her feet spun. She clutched her stinging side, warm blood coating her hand.
She drew a sharp breath. "We can't stop. It won't be far behind."
"Shit, Nova," Aart said, kneeling at her side and frowning at the blood dripping between her fingers.
Maya's red face dripped sweat and her lips thinned when she saw Nova's wound.
Cara ran a hand through her hair. "We can't run forever either."
"We don't have to run forever," Maya said. "Just until we get to the ships, then we're out of here."
Aart prodded Nova's side and she winced, stumbling away from him. "You've pulled all your stitches."
"We don't have time for you to play doctor and nur
se," Maya said.
Nova grimaced and peered back up the hill, breathing deep despite the pain shooting through her side.
Aart kicked the ground, sending up a flurry of leaves. "Look how much blood she's loosing! She won't make it to nightfall."
"We can't—"
"Shit. Incoming!" Cara bellowed, turning and dashing away down the hill.
Nova saw a dark shadow pushing through the trees at the top of the slope and darted after Cara.
The four Hunters sprinted in a ragged line, dodging trees and fallen debris.
Nova ducked under a branch and leapt over a fallen log. Her calves ached like she'd been shot, and her dry lips rubbed together like sandpaper, but she couldn't stop and pull her bottle from her pack.
The forest seemed to stretch on forever, as did the day. Identical trees rushed past on either side, never changing. Nova felt trapped on a massive treadmill with no way off. They'd been running for what felt like hours, and yet the sun had barely begun to dip towards the horizon. Its blazing heat beat down on them like an oven, making Nova's head throb.
Occasionally the pounding footsteps behind them would fade away and the Hunters would slow, allowing themselves the briefest hope that they'd escaped. But every time the thing returned, racing down the hill towards them.
It felt like an eternity since they had left the prison when the sun finally dropped below the horizon, casting long blue shadows through the trees. Sinister howls and the buzz of insects filled the forest, while unseen animals foraged in the ground at their feet.
Nova stumbled to a stop, legs shaking as she leaned against a tree gasping for breath. "We can't keep running in this. We'll break our necks."
Aart clapped a hand on her shoulder. "We can't stop. We have no idea what's chasing us, and I don't want to gamble that it'll take a break."
Nova swallowed a mouthful from her water bottle, some dribbling down her chin.
"What about the glowballs?" asked Cara. "That'll at least give us a bit of light."
"And make us easy to catch," Maya said. "If you're wearing a glowball you may as well shoot yourself now."
Nova bit her lip and closed her eyes, breathing deep. Her side throbbed with a deep pain and her extremities ached with cold and lack of blood.