Forst glanced back to the jungle. “How long do you think they’ll take?” he wondered.
“They’ll take as long as it takes,” replied Regul with an indifferent shrug from his antennae. “The danger of missing something dangerous comes if we place an unrealistic time limit on our people. That’s why I didn’t. So relax.”
Forst gave a snort. “Relax!?” His tone was sarcastic as he turned around to face the Lieutenant. “How can I relax when I’m concerned about my pilot?”
“With this.” Regul tossed the pad he’d been reading to Forst who caught it.
Forst glanced down at the device he’d caught. “I can’t take this,” he said, moving to hand it back. “You brought it so you’d have something to help pass the time. What’ll you do?”
Regul gave an amused wave of his antennae then reached into his pack. A true-hand came out with another pad which he held up for the pilot to see. “You wouldn’t get that if I hadn’t brought this.” He nodded at a spot in the ferns next to where he sat. “Settle in and enjoy. You’ll find it has a number of books covering the wars leading to the Consolidated Hives. I think you’ll find them interesting.” He shrugged his antennae. “At least it’ll occupy the time while you wait.”
The Captain thanked Regul and went to find a comfortable spot in the ferns. Regul nodded at the Captain then activated his new pad. He took a moment to select a book and returned to his reading.
Activating his own pad Forst read down the contents and smiled. The contents indicated there was more to the Lieutenant than his occupation indicated. Infantry had the reputation of being fighters not thinkers. Forst shook his antennae. Regul was right. Included in the list was an author he’d wanted to read for years but had never taken the time. He selected the first book in a series and brought up the prologue. It appeared he had the time now.
Three hours later Forst had reached a part in the story where the hero, a low-ranking officer in a Hive Sea Swarm, was involved in fighting his wooden sea craft. It was amazing, Forst thought as he paused to consider, that any Iidx would risk their shells on a flimsy wooden ship on the open seas. But, before Unification, wars between Hives were fought using those vessels. He gave a mental shake of his head. The loss of life among the sailors was total if a ship was sunk. They couldn’t hold their breath and they couldn’t swim. Serving in the Sea Swarm was considered a death sentence. At least until an adequate survival suit had been developed. He went back to his reading.
Just as the hero was leading a raid to capture an enemy vessel anchored in a neutral harbor someone jostled an arm. Forst shifted to move out of the way but kept reading. A moment later he was jostled again with his name being called. Irritated this was happening when he’d reached an exciting section of the story, he looked up. “What?”
Lieutenant Regul smiled down at the pilot. “Enjoying the story?” he asked. “I thought you’d like to know Jerah’s returned.”
Forst scrambled to his feet. “Jerah?” he wondered. “Did they find my pilot?”
“Their main assignment was to scout the area for any sign of ambush,” the Lieutenant reminded. “They’ve completed that mission but it appears we read the picture wrong.” He ignored the pilots questioning gesture and shrugged on his pack. “Grab your gear, Captain, we’re going over there.”
Forst went to hand the pad back but Regul waved it away. “Keep it for now,” he said. “You may get a chance later to finish the story.”
It took just over an hour for the party to gear up and cross the ridge to reach the vicinity of the beacon. After consulting with the two scouts, Regul had Lieutenant Nisan establish a perimeter to guard against animals or any possibility of ambush. Then the two Iidx commanders followed Navaj into a small area clear of most of the bushes under the jungle canopy. They paused for a moment to look around. “It’s obvious there’s no one here,” muttered Forst. “Are you sure this’s the right place?” The Corporal nodded with his antennae.
Lieutenant Regul checked his scanner. “It should be right over there,” he said, pointing. Still consulting his device he walked forward with Forst close behind. “Closer…closer…here!” he muttered.
Regul stopped and looked around. The three Iidx were on the edge of the area but all they could see were trees and ferns. “I don’t see anything,” Regul said. He worked his device for a moment then looked over at Forst. “I’ve run the diagnostics again and this thing checks out. The beacon is supposed to be right here.” His frustration was evident in the lay of his antennae.
The Lieutenant looked around again. “All I see is bushes, grass, trees and…” he paused, glanced at the scanner again then pointed. “There! It has to be there!” Regul handed the scanner to Navaj then lifted the branches of a bush and nodded at Forst. “Can you see anything?” he grunted.
Forst scuttled around to peer into the gap the Lieutenant had created. “Oh, shells,” he swore and jumped back to avoid the pests that erupted from the bushes. Uttering his own curses Regul dropped the limbs to leap back himself.
The small creatures scattered. Some hid in the ferns. Others swarmed between the feet of Forst as he tried to get out of the way. Two even tried to climb the Lieutenant’s legs. Continuing to curse he began wiping the creatures away.
At last the creatures had found new hiding places (not on an Iidx) and the two Iidx commanders moved back to the bush. Forst asked, “Is the beacon there?”
Regul gave an ‘I don’t know’ wave from his antennae, pushed the branches aside once more to rummage around. A few minutes later he grunted and stood holding a device for his companion to see.
“That’s the beacon!” cried Forst.
“Why would a downed pilot hide his only means of rescue then disappear?” wondered the Lieutenant. “And to top it off he put it near a nest of pests. It doesn’t make sense.”
“It did to my pilot,” replied Forst and moved into the bush where the beacon had been hid. Now that the pests were gone there wouldn’t be a problem to look. “He can explain his reasons as soon as we find him.”
“But how, we don’t…” Regul’s statement was cut off as the Captain moved deeper into the bush. He watched as Forst examined the ground carefully. Then the Captain backed out of the undergrowth holding an item encased in clear film. “What’ve you got there?” the Lieutenant asked.
Forst ignored the question but removed a slip of paper from its protective cover and read what was written on it. “It’s Rian!” the Captain announced holding up the paper for Regul to see. Then seeing the Lieutenants confusion the pilot continued. “He led the first group of aircraft to attack the Kthpok base and it appears he’s the surviving pilot. Now he’s heading for the mountain.”
Regul’s antennae drooped in surprise. “The mountain?” he complained. “That’s at least two days from here. Why’d he go there?” Forst went to answer but Regul cut him off with a hand gesture. “I know,” he said in disgust. “We’ll have to find your pilot to find out.” Turning from Forst he called the swarm together to give them the news. Then they set out for the mountain.
During the journey through the jungle the Iidx were almost drowned in a flood caused by a heavier than usual rainfall and had to fight off a swarm of predators. There was even a lightning strike near a campsite.
On the sixth day since arriving on the island the small party reached an area of foothills, ravines and streams. They paused to check the direction then headed along a wooded ridge. Water was still dripping through the dense overhead canopy; the left over from the previous night’s rain. “Any idea of how to find your pilot in this jungle?” asked Regul as they walked along. “If we can’t find him soon we’ll have to continue with the other portion of this mission.” He nodded in the direction of the mountain range. “At least we’re going in the right direction for that. Our plans have us establishing a base of operations there.”
By mid-afternoon the Swarm was brought to a stop by a deep ravine. They stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down. “I’
ve been thinking,” Forst announced. “I’m not sure how to find Rian. We may have to count on him finding us.” He gestured at the surrounding area. “I think our best bet right now is to select your base.”
Regul waved his antennae in agreement. “Stumbling around this jungle for much longer isn’t a very good idea.” The 1st Lieutenant looked around, decided on a direction then began to walk down the crest of the ravine with the rest of his people following. When Regul came to an area that was more to his liking he called a halt. After posting guards he sent for their two scouts.
A moment later the two Iidx Regul had called for appeared out the jungle and walked over. “Lieutenant,” the Corporal said as he saluted, “you wanted to see us?”
Regul returned the salute and examined the two Iidx over. “According to your personnel files you’re familiar with this island,” he said. It was a statement not a question. The two Iidx glanced at each other. Then Corporal Navaj spoke.
“I grew up in a village of farmers on the north coast before I joined the Swarm, Lieutenant,” he announced and gestured in a direction. “It was on the other side of the mountains near the shore.”
“And you?” asked Regul of the other Iidx.
“I lived a couple of houses down from Navaj, sir,” replied Jerah. “We grew up together. When we came of age we were ‘encouraged’ to join the Swarm.”
The Lieutenant waved his antennae in acknowledgement. “I selected you two for this little vacation because your files said you knew Tarren intimately. We need a refuge for our mission.”
Navaj and Jerah looked at each other their antennae quivering in anticipation. The Corporal went to speak but Regul stopped him. “You need to remember that retrieving a downed pilot isn’t our main assignment. That’s important, yes, but we’re here to observe and report on Kthpok activities. But as this war continues I expect that to change. We have to be able to attack important targets then hide to strike again.”
“A place where electronics are shielded from outside detection?” added Navaj and the Lieutenant nodded agreement. “It also needs a water and food supply, plenty of storage and hidden entrances,” continued the Corporal. This time it was a statement and not a question. “That sounds like Stranstreen Caverns,” he announced. Jerah nodded his agreement.
Regul gave a skeptical look. “This Stranstreen may be large enough for our needs but it can’t be in any data bases or we could be found,” he said. “The Kthpok have had access to all our data files since they got here.”
“That’s Stranstreen alright,” confirmed Jerah. “It’s never been put in the computers.”
“Interesting,” said Regul. “It’s big enough for us to use. It’s known to the islands inhabitants but it’s not in the computer where the Kthpok could find out about it. When we have more time you can fill me in how that happened. How far is it?”
Navaj thought for a moment. “Since it’s on this side of the mountain we should reach it in two, maybe three, more days,” he answered. Once again Jerah nodded.
The Lieutenant checked his watch. “There’s still several hours left before it gets dark. We’ll go a little further before setting up camp for the night. Take the lead Corporal and get us to this Stranstreen.”
As the Swarm continued through the jungle Captain Forst took time to learn more about their two guides. The two Iidx had been raised on the island which explained how they knew their way around. It seemed both had been problems to the local hive because they’d rather be exploring the jungle than working in the fields. One of the places the two Iidx had frequented was the cavern. When the two Iidx came of age the Queen and Elders of the Hive informed them of their future. It was hoped that service in the military would inject more discipline into their lives than the two Iidx exhibited.
As he learned more about the two scouts Forst realized their rough and ready experience on Tarren made Navaj and Jerah a perfect fit for this particular mission. He gave an almost imperceptible shrug of his antennae. Who knew? Perhaps their enthusiasm for the jungle would save all their lives.
The next day had the swarm moving through the hills bordering the main range. Then, instead of continuing for the mountain, Navaj and Jerah veered west towards the coast.
At mid-afternoon Forst and Regul entered another area in the jungle with less than normal undergrowth. There was still the ever-present canopy blocking the sun but most of the ground cover was gone. Only grasses and ferns remained. Whether a disease had killed the undergrowth or had been eaten by animals was unknown and neither Iidx leader cared. What they cared about was that Navaj and Jerah were at the far end of the space taking off their packs.
Forst and Regul hurried over to the two Iidx. Seeing their Lieutenant coming Navaj and Jerah stopped, came to attention and saluted. After returning their salute Regul looked at the two then at their equipment on the ground. “Your assignment was to find us a base to safely operate from,” he said.
“Yes, 1st Lieutenant,” the two Iidx replied.
Regul gestured at the area around them then at the jungle. “Don’t 1st Lieutenant me, you two,” he growled. “This doesn’t fit what I expected when you mentioned this Stranstreen. This isn’t Stranstreen is it?”
“No 1st Lieutenant,” chorused the two scouts. By this time the rest of the Swarm had joined Regul and Forst.
“Since this isn’t our destination what are you doing here?” the Lieutenant pressed.
“Setting up camp, sir!” replied Navaj.
“Setting up camp,” repeated Regul. “I can see that but it’s just past mid-day. There’s still plenty of time to get closer to this Stranstreen you told us about. Explain why you’re setting up camp instead of moving on.”
Jerah remained at attention and silent while his companion answered. “Our destination lies in a narrow canyon, sir,” Navaj said and pointed, “Which is just a short distance ahead. There are two known entrances. The other one’s less dangerous to get to but this one’s closer.”
“What does that have to do with setting up camp in the middle of the day, Corporal?” asked Regul. His antennae began to quiver with impatience.
Navaj’s own antennae drooped a little as he sensed his superiors’ disfavor starting to grow. “The location of the entrance in a narrow canyon has everything to do with it sir,” he replied. “As you know every afternoon there’s a storm.”
Regul started to speak so the Corporal hurried his explanation cutting off the Lieutenant. “These storms drop a huge amount of water and it has to go somewhere. Hours after the rain begins the stream in the floor of the canyon becomes a torrent. There’s no place to get above the water or get out of the canyon once we’re in. We’d have to climb the slick rock walls with packs on, in the rain and wind. And the wind’s pretty bad as it whips down the canyon.”
The Lieutenant began preening his antennae in thought. “The canyon walls are sheer rock walls?” he asked. Navaj nodded yes and Regul continued. “So if we get caught in the flood we’d be killed if we couldn’t climb out. And climbing out isn’t a possibility?” The Scout nodded again. “Since you’re putting up your tent can I assume that the cavern is too far for us to reach before the rains begin? We can’t reach it today?”
Navaj gave a curt nod. “That’s correct, sir!” His relief was evident at his Commanders understanding of the problem. “With an early start tomorrow we should make Stranstreen tomorrow before the rains turn hard.”
Regul nodded his approval. “Very well, Corporal, we’ll take the time to rest and check our equipment. Since we’ve been on the move for almost ten days we can use the rest.” He gave a light chuckle. “Besides we might not get much rest once we start introducing the Kthpok to our explosives.”
Sending Navaj and Jerah back to their preparations Regul turned the rest of the Swarm who weren’t watching the perimeter had gathered around to see what was happening. “We’ve got a break for the rest of the day,” he announced. “Set up camp, check your equipment and get some rest. Tomorrow, after we f
ind our base we’ll be very busy getting it ready.”
As it turned out it was fortunate they stopped when they did. Just as they finished setting up their tents and stowed their gear inside the afternoon rains began. Not only did the rain come early but it was harder than expected.
So everyone would understand why they’d stopped when they did Navaj and Jerah led the swarm through the jungle to the edge of a canyon. The canopy of leaves and branches was broken by the line of the canyon weaving back and forth to the mountain. Rain came sleeting down through the clear space, driven by the wind which came in hard gusts that laid their antennae down. Lightning flashed followed seconds later by the boom of thunder.
After making sure they wouldn’t be blown into the canyon the Iidx looked down at the canyon floor to see water raging in a torrent. Water cascaded over the canyon rim in various places, dropping at least fifty feet, adding to the turmoil below.
Careful not to slip and fall into the canyon Captain Forst kept low, almost crawling, to reach the edge. The low profile kept the gusts of wind from blowing him over the edge and into the roiling, muddy water below. While keeping a firm grip on a nearby tree with a true-hand and false-hand he peered down at the maelstrom. He saw good sized boulders rolling downstream pushed by the torrent. The sound of the rushing water and grinding rocks was deafening.
Pulling back as carefully as he’d advanced Forst went over to where Lieutenant Regul and the two guides stood. He had to shout to make himself heard over the tumult of the storm and torrent below. “We have to go up that?” he asked, pointing at the canyon. Navaj nodded his head.
Jerah checked the time. There was still a little more than an hour remaining before sunset. “It isn’t easy walking because of the rocks, mud and pools. If we hadn’t stopped when we did we’d’ve been about a quarter of the way there.” He didn’t have to describe what would have happened to them if they’d been in the canyon when the flood began.
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