“What can the Colonel do?” asked Forst and gestured upward as he climbed to his feet. “The Kthpok are in orbit and will detect anything we send in. We had a hard enough time with the automated defenses when we went in unannounced. I know. I was there! What’ll happen to our pilots if the Kthpok know they’re coming?”
Regul went to reply but was cut off by the receiver crackling again. “We’ve got incoming!” Sol called. “It’s another Kthpok air patrol.”
Acting almost without thinking Regul and Forst moved deeper into the undergrowth then froze, looked up and waited. A moment later the roar of several aircraft was heard. The craft passed overhead and seemed to curve towards the southern end of the island where the terrain was flatter.
As the sound diminished Sol climbed down out of the tree. “Lieutenant!” he called. “It’s clear. They’re gone.” The two Iidx emerged from their hiding places with some rustling of bushes. “That’s the third fly-by today, Lieutenant,” observed Sol when the two Iidx reached him. “Is it possible they’ve found a way to see us in the jungle? Do they know we’re here?”
Regul pondered the question before answering. ”It’s possible but not probable. That’s why we came over when we did. So they wouldn’t see us coming.”
The Captain gave a slight cough drawing the attention of the others. “Even though they weren’t here they may have seen us,” he said.
“What?” exclaimed the other two Iidx as they cocked their heads and antennae at him?
“It’s not a major mystery,” the Captain continued. “They have to have surveillance records; maybe even stealthed satellites overhead. That’ll show the attack we made on their facility. From those records they’ll know at least one pilot ejected from his damaged craft.” He paused to look at the Lieutenant. “If they have orbital surveillance those records probably show us coming over to get the pilot.” The Captain shook his head. “Since there’s no record we left they have to assume we’re still here.” He shrugged. “That’s why they’re sending out flights looking for us.”
After a moment’s thought Regul nodded his agreement. “It tracks,” he said. “We were supposed to have found your downed pilot and sent both of you back to the main land long before the Kthpok returned. If that’d happened they’d’ve seen the pickup craft and assumed we left. But we didn’t find that pilot and you didn’t leave. If they know that I’m surprised they haven’t sent out ground patrols by now.”
He nodded as he decided. “I agree! The Kthpok have to know we’re on the island and are looking for us.” The Lieutenant waved his antennae. “We’ll need to act accordingly.” Both Iidx nodded their understanding.
“Now!” said Regul, “I want to get back to Stranstreen and send that message. If the Kthpok want their manufacturing area up and running before their residential or command areas, it’s important. And if it’s that important to them I want it blasted.”
The Lieutenant used a false hand to key a pulse on his short-range transmitter. A moment later Navaj slipped out of the bushes and moved over to the three Iidx. “Where’s Jerah?” wondered Regul.
“We noticed something unusual in the jungle, sir,” answered Navaj. “He went to investigate.”
“All right,” replied the Lieutenant. “Let him know we can’t wait.” He waved in the direction of Stranstreen. “We’re going on ahead. Both of you’ll have to catch up with us after you take care of that unusual item.”
“Yes sir!” the Corporal replied. He gave a quick salute then turned and moved off into the jungle.
“Well,” sighed Regul, “that’s that!” He looked at Sol and Forst. “Let’s get moving. Remember, there might be ground patrols nearby so be quiet.” The Lieutenant glanced over at Forst who nodded his understanding.
A few minutes after starting out the two scouts joined the Lieutenant’s party and the five Iidx moved through the jungle for their base. Navaj and Jerah didn’t say what the ‘unusual’ item was they were checking out. Nor did they explain how it had been taken care of. Regul didn’t ask. Instead he had the scouts take their normal place in the jungle leading the way and watching for danger.
Two days later, just before reaching the canyon leading to their cavern the two scouts appeared out of the jungle. “We’ve got a Kthpok ground patrol in the area and they’re heading our way,” Jerah announced.
“Could you tell if they’re actually looking for us or is this a regular patrol?” asked Regul.
“We could take them,” suggested Forst before the scout could answer.
After giving a negative wave of his antennae Regul spoke. “We won’t be killing any Kthpok today, Captain. If that patrol’s been sent to look for us and they disappear now it’ll establish an area where they can concentrate their search. Then more will come. They might even find Stranstreen. That’s why we aren’t going to attack.”
He looked over at the rest of the Iidx. “I want everyone to understand this: Our mission is to observe and report. We’ll get our chance to kill Kthpok later but for now we return to Stranstreen. I want to call in another strike against the Kthpok.”
“I’m afraid the strike call will have to wait until tomorrow, sir,” said Navaj. As the Lieutenant turned a glare on him the Iidx continued. “Lieutenant, it’s too late for us to reach our cavern before the evening rains and floods. You’ve seen how dangerous that canyon is. We’ll have to stay the night in the jungle.”
“What about the Kthpok patrol?” wondered Forst. “They may stumble onto our camp while we wait for morning.” He shrugged. “Not that I’d mind. Since The Attack I’ve wanted to shoot some Kthpok up close and personal; to see if they explode or burn.” The Captain shook his head. “But that won’t work if we have to keep a low profile.”
Regul bobbed his valentine head. “We don’t want the Kthpok to find us so we find them,” he said.
“What!” exclaimed the pilot. “Find the Kthpok?”
“It’s easier to avoid someone or something if you already know where they are,” was the reply. Then Regul gestured to Jerah. “Lead the way,” he ordered. “Let’s go spy on the enemy.”
The four Iidx moved off through the jungle, away from the canyon. Small creatures scuttled out of their way and cries from larger animals were heard in the distance. Their progress wasn’t as rapid as the trip from Stranstreen because they didn’t want to stumble into the enemy patrol.
The afternoon was wearing on and water from the daily rain was starting to drip through the leafy canopy above. Forst looked up and more drips hit his shell. It seemed the rains had come a little later in the day than usual. He turned to Sol who was walking next to him. “What do you think?” he asked. “Will the Kthpok spend the night in the jungle or will they be picked up?”
Sol gestured with a true-hand. “Who knows, Captain?” he said. “We’ve been told the Tails evolved from a climate very similar to this.”
“I’ve seen several of those creatures while they were preparing for The Attack,” commented Forst shaking his head. “It was only from a distance but they’re really weird. They have only two arms and those are too short. And their necks are too long. That means their head has to part the bushes when they go through the jungle.”
“Seems a bit dangerous doesn’t it Captain?” commented Sol. “How could they have evolved like that? They don’t have a shell to protect vital organs and their head, eyes and all, are exposed.” He shrugged his antennae. “With all that, who knows if those things are bothered by a little rain?”
By this time the two Iidx had closed on Regul and Navaj who’d stopped. “How much further to the Kthpok?” the Lieutenant asked.
The scout looked around for a minute as if to check the area then answered Regul. “They shouldn’t be far now, sir,” he replied. “We could go a little further if you want but we’d be taking a big risk.”
The Lieutenant looked at his swarm. “Since that’s the case we’ll stop here,” he announced. “Navaj and Jerah will track the Tails. That way they can warn us
if there’s any danger.”
When the scout disappeared into the jungle Forst and Sol looked to the Lieutenant waiting for their instructions. “I want everyone to disperse within a short distance,” Regul ordered. “Find a place and hide or climb a tree. I don’t want to see anyone.” He glanced at each Iidx. “Don’t come out until I call, not until.”
There was a brief flurry as Sol disappeared into the undergrowth. A few bushes quivered but soon stopped leaving no trace someone had passed through. Only Forst and Regul remained. “Well?” the Lieutenant asked, looking at his companion, “why aren’t you finding a place?”
“What? Where?” wondered the pilot.
“Oh, for shells…,” exclaimed Regul and gestured. “Come over here.” With Forst following he walked to a clump of bushes a short distance from where Sol had disappeared. The Captain couldn’t see any way in so he looked over at Regul.
The Lieutenant nodded at the bushes. “There should be an open space near the base,” he said. “Climb in there with your gear and wait until I come get you. Remember to keep quiet!”
Forst looked at the bushes then back to Regul again who gave an emphatic wave of his antennae. With a sigh of resignation Forst moved forward.
Regul watched as the pilot pushed into the foliage. There was much shaking of branches and complaining for a few moments then silence fell. The Lieutenant walked over to straighten a few branches that had gotten been bent or tangled. Before looking for his own hiding place he paused to check the area, making sure the Kthpok couldn’t tell that anyone had been in the area. Regul didn’t expect the Tails to walk through this part of the jungle but he’d learned long ago there was a perverse being in the universe that conspired against him.
“Remember,” he hissed at the bushes concealing the pilot. “Don’t come out until I call.” Then he moved off to locate his own hiding place shaking his head at the stupidity of pilots.
Once past the outer branches Forst found the spot Regul had told him to expect. He set his pack near the base of the bush and settled down to wait for the Lieutenant’s call. Rummaging in his pack he retrieved the reading pad Regul had given him then made sure the rest of his gear was protected against the afternoon rain. A few quick keystrokes on the pad located his place in the story and he began reading.
The heat, humidity of the afternoon and the constant buzzing of insects combined to create a soothing atmosphere. Soon after he started reading the true-hand holding the pad began to sag, his antennae drooped then the device fell into the grass. Sounds from creatures in the surrounding jungle had no problem masking the soft regular breathing of the sleeping Iidx.
Water dripping through the leafy cover onto his head for several moments roused Forst from his afternoon nap. At first he was confused, wondering where he was. More water dropped into his head. He shook the moisture clear then remembered he was supposed to be in hiding!
Careful not to disturb the branches he stretched. Moments passed and the water seeping into his hiding place increased. He began looking for the pad he’d been reading and found it partially hidden in a clump of grass.
Just as he was reaching to pick up the device and resume reading he realized something was wrong. The Iidx froze; trying to determine what it was that bothered him. He cocked his head slightly to listen and waved his antennae to test the air.
Over the past month he’d started to learn the jungles sounds and smells. Now, he found the odor of various types of ferns, the musk of decaying plants and the cloying sweet aroma of flowers mingled with ozone from the storm. But, his antennae paused; there was a smell he couldn’t quite identify. He’d never smelled anything like it - ever! And it seemed to be getting stronger instead of being washed away by the storm.
Then he remembered what Regul had told him when they’d arrived on the island weeks earlier. The creatures of the jungle seemed to recognize the Iidx were related and kept up their cacophony. They were never silent not even through the heaviest downpour. But the Lieutenant had told him the animals of this world wouldn’t recognize the Kthpok and react.
With that thought Forst figured out what was missing and stopped breathing. The jungle was silent which meant the Kthpok patrol was near!
He lowered his antennae so it lay down his back, forcing himself to resume breathing. A true-hand crept to his pulser and pulled it slowly from its holster. Careful not to disturb any of the concealing branches he tried to peer at the surrounding jungle. But the foliage was too thick and the day was getting darker. Settling back again he checked the charge on his weapon to confirm it was ready for use.
Making sure he didn’t make any noise to alert the newcomers Forst waited. One moment the pilot heard only the sounds of rain falling and the occasional thunder. Then came the sound of bushes whipping back and forth, of branches being crushed and broken. Last came chittering, chirps and squeaks. Forst settled even deeper into the grass to hide from the Kthpok patrol that had just arrived.
The Captain began to count as the creatures passed. At first it was easy. There was the advance scout - two Kthpok. Then silence fell when the creatures stopped. A moment later the main body of the patrol arrived. His count added three more Kthpok before there was the sound of a pulser being fired. Almost immediately an explosion reverberated through the jungle and screeches arose from startled creatures.
Excited chirps and whistles erupted leaving Forst to wonder what had happened, if the Kthpok had found and blasted Sol or Regul. He rose to rush out of his hiding place and see what had happened but stopped. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if he got blasted as well. There was also the possibility that the Kthpok were just shooting at trees or animals.
As he settled back a false arm brushed a limb. The nudge sent a tremor along the branch that surprised a creature already on edge from the noise and arrival of strange creatures. It flew away amid a shower of water. Cursing under his breath Forst froze, waiting for a blaster pulse to sear its way through the fragile shield of leaves and shatter his shell. The pulse didn’t come but sounds indicated something was nearing his hiding place. Antennae quivering with fear Forst glanced around to see if there was anywhere else he could hide before a Kthpok poked its head into his shelter. A short distance away, bushes were shifted as someone began searching. A loud chirp sounded and the rustling stopped. More chirps and squeaks followed then the Kthpok could be heard moving off.
Slipping his pulser back into its holster Forst collapsed in a heap. He was congratulating himself on a successful escape when he heard the slight sound of something new moving through the jungle. It was very faint, seeming more cautious than earlier, but seemed to be getting closer. Could this be the Kthpok rear guard?
Using deliberate care to avoid disturbing any more branches Forst climbed to his feet. Once more the pulser was pulled from its holster. Still moving with exquisite precision he lifted then straightened his body to extend his antennae. The two feathered sensors worked their way through the leaves and branches of his refuge to poke into the open. He winced when the occasional drop of water hit his sensory organ but he persisted in his examination. Thunder pealed as an intense gust of wind thrashed the upper canopy sending more water down onto the jungle floor.
Ignoring the rain, wind and thunder Forst concentrated on finding what or who the new intruder was. Although his senses were degraded without sight he could tell that whatever was here wasn’t a Kthpok. The strange smell was leaving and other jungle creatures were starting to move. Their calls were gaining in volume. A presence appeared from behind a large tree and was moving along the track left by the Kthpok. Another presence appeared a second later.
Frustrated that all his antennae could discern was the presence of something nearby the Captain rose high enough for his compound eyes to see out of his hiding place. The thick clouds of the storm, the jungle canopy and the oncoming night was making it dark, difficult to see. But there was enough light for him to recognize that the new shapes weren’t Kthpok. In fact, they looked like Iidx.
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Since he knew Navaj and Jerah were out watching for the enemy patrol he guessed that’s who he was seeing. Without permission from the Lieutenant Forst pushed out of his hiding place. “Do you know where the Kthpok are going?” he called.
Instead of answering the two Iidx ran for the dense undergrowth. One dived into the bushes where Sol had hidden. The other disappeared through the trees.
There was a brief flurry of branches when Sol realized a stranger had hidden beside him. Lightning flashed briefly illuminating the jungle as Forst hurried over. Thunder crashed and the bushes parted to let a shape jump out. Another shape quickly followed chasing the first. As the first creature ran near Forst reached out with true-hands and false-hands. “I’ve got him!” he called.
“Help!” called the Iidx as he struggled to get away. “Rian, help me! I’m caught.”
Sol rushed over to help but Forst swung the Iidx around so he could speak antennae to antennae. “You called for Rian!” he said. “Was he the other? Where’s he been?”
Sol pulled out a hand light and turned it on. Shining it at the strange Iidx Forst held the private asked, “Who are you? Where’d you come from?”
“Come from?” replied the Iidx in an indignant tone and shrugged loose of Forst’s grasp. “I’ve always been here. I’m the Conservation Ranger who was assigned to study and protect the unique wildlife found on this island.”
“What is going on here?” asked Regul as he climbed down from the tree he’d hidden in. “Why is everyone out of hiding? I didn’t call and all this noise might bring the Kthpok back.”
He noticed the light Sol held. “Put that out!” he ordered. “If the noise doesn’t bring the Tails the light will.”
Before Sol could obey another commotion caught everyone’s attention. He shone his light towards the disturbance and its beam revealed three more Iidx coming out of the trees. It seemed Navaj and Jerah were escorting a third. Without warning Forst cried out and hurried over to the new arrivals. “Rian!” he exclaimed. “It is you! Where have you been?”
Betrayal Page 40