by Nick Braker
The mountain rumbled, shaking the ground like an earthquake. The wind picked up violently as tons of snow and ice poured into the ravine from above. It pushed tree and rock alike with it, sending a torrent of air ahead to announce its arrival. The blast of air brought with it blinding clouds of snow. Troy dropped his rifle blaster, wiped his eyes and rushed the Reptauran’s position. The trees in front of him blurred into a gray and white fog. He ran headlong anyway. Cienna ran behind him, veering off to take the left lizard. Neither creature could see since they were facing the onslaught of wind, snowflakes and debris directly into their faces.
A large tree came into view ahead as he got closer. Troy jumped, grabbing one of the limbs above and vaulted himself higher. He pushed off another tree on his right with his feet, pushing down and toward his prey. He angled his blow into the upper back of the Reptauran below him. His knee hit the creature breaking its neck with all the force of Troy’s densely packed human body. The Reptauran’s neck snapped, completely crushed.
Cienna landed with both feet to either side of her lizard’s neck, her momentum continuing her body forward as her feet found purchase on its neck. She twisted landing on her back. The creature’s head was forced backward, breaking in the upward twisting motion she intended. The lizard had tried to shift itself to go along with its attacker’s move but her motion was too quick. Cienna flexed her leg muscles, causing an additional crunch. Troy cringed.
“That was unnecessary,” Troy said. “Rohku doesn’t teach that.”
“It felt good,” she said, pausing. “It felt real good...”
Troy nodded, running back to the cliff.
“Chance, you okay?” he asked, running by him.
Chance nodded, sitting up.
“I’m good,” Chance called back.
The wind had died somewhat as the avalanche had spent its energy. It had filled the ravine with tons of snow and debris, only twenty feet or so of cliff remained. Troy had intended to go over the edge of the cliff but a pinpoint flash of light from his right had caught his eye. It came from the east side of the ravine near the opposite cliff.
“Take cover,” he screamed, diving back behind the edge.
The cliff’s edge splintered into numerous flying pieces as a bullet ripped through it. Chance already had cover behind the ledge’s edge as Cienna dropped to her stomach near him.
“Holy shit,” Chance hissed. “That’s a fucking bullet, bro, and a big one.”
“We’re pinned down by sniper fire. Cienna, create a quick distraction. I need to get a shot lined up.”
Cienna grabbed her rifle blaster and blindly shot over the edge, keeping herself concealed. Another shot rang out and the sniper’s bullet hit her blaster. The weapon shattered, sending it flying behind her in several chunks.
Troy rolled left away from them and closer to the edge of the cliff. He was exposed now but if he moved fast enough, he could get a shot off and pin the bastard down. He brought his blaster around, resting it on the edge of the cliff. It had cooled enough to be functional. Troy sighted down it, through the scope, and found his target. The Reptauran was hunkered down behind a boulder big enough to cover most of him but, like Troy, was exposed from the shoulders up.
“Damn, that has to be Kelit’an,” Cienna said. “He alone uses that kind of weapon.”
The Reptauran fired again. This time his shot missed but Troy felt the bullet whiz by his head. Kelit’an had hesitated. Through the scope, Troy could see that the creature’s eyes were wide in disbelief. Troy flashed back to the city of Paradon and the night Tohmas died. He watched Kelit’an gleefully beating him and working hard to crush his head in as he lay stunned on the ground. His fury flared and he squeezed the blaster’s trigger.
“Die! You piece of shit,” Troy screamed.
Troy couldn’t hold himself together. The memories of his last moments and the helplessness he felt as he was tortured and then killed flared in him. This time, Troy could do something about it. The energy bolts traveled the distance, hitting the blaster armor on Kelit’an’s shoulder. Each bolt chipped away the lizard’s protection in layers as they hit in instant succession. Kelit’an held on to his weapon and fired back. The bullet hit Troy on the right side of his face, ripping the flesh from his cheek. The impact snapped Troy’s head around, nearly breaking his neck. Other shots rang out but it wasn’t from Kelit’an. Cienna had grabbed Danira’s weapon and both she and Chance were shooting at Kelit’an.
“Fuck yeah, he’s down,” Chance yelled.
“He’s dead. Your shot must- Troy!” Cienna screamed, running to him.
Cienna was on top of him, already trying to help with his wound. Was that concern in her eyes? How bad was it? His cheekbone was exposed but he could still speak. The bullet had grazed the upper part of his face, deep enough that the force had nearly spun his head around.
“Oh my god,” Cienna cried. “Tohmas, you’re hurt. Hold still-”
Troy shrugged her aside.
“Get off me,” Troy said. “We’ve got to help the others. Now. They are buried under snow.”
Troy dropped his weapon and jumped over the side. He landed below, tucking and then rolling forward. The spot he landed on splattered with his blood. He pushed himself hard, running through the snow. He fought his fatigue and injuries, crossing the distance to Septima’s location. Blood trailed behind him, leaving dark red splotches in the icy white snow. The debris area was completely covered. If she wasn’t already dead, she soon would be from suffocation. Troy plunged his hands into the snow, furiously digging as fast as he could.
Someone cried for help from the north but Troy didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop. It was Septima buried underneath him. He couldn’t leave her to help the others, she’d be dead by the time he did. He had to help her first. Right?
The muffled voice called again. Someone was still alive in Caiden’s group.
“Septima!” Troy screamed.
No answer came. Troy pounded the snow in frustration.
No!
Troy got up and ran north, trying to zero in on the voice. It took him only a few seconds of digging to reach the first of Caiden’s group. He pulled Lakin out first.
“We’re all together, bro,” Lakin said, gasping for air.
Someone’s leg protruded from the hole Troy had pulled Lakin out of. Troy grabbed it, heaving as hard has he could. He had to hurry, they were all suffocating below. The person came free, gasping for air again. It was Caiden.
“I need help now,” Troy yelled, finding another person buried next to Caiden.
Lakin jumped in, digging more snow out of the way as they pulled Geoff clear.
“Sir, Monro and Rigs were shot. There is no one else alive,” Caiden said.
Their breathing was ragged and strained but they would live. The thought of Septima suffocating played over and over again in his mind in the instant he had pulled Geoff clear. Troy wasn’t going to give up.
“We have to help Septima. Now,” he ordered, running back to where she should be.
Someone said something to him as he took off but he didn’t understand the words. Troy was angry. He knew they had to be helped first, but at what cost? Septima was buried much deeper and far longer. She didn’t deserve to die like this. None of them deserved to die at all. Borit’un would pay. Their whole damn race would pay.
Focus on saving her, dumbass.
Troy ran harder. He didn’t hate her for what she had done but did he still love her? Yes, he did. He knew he had never stopped loving her. He needed to forgive her and get past his petty anger. Right now, Troy knew he’d give his own life to get her out alive. He dropped to his knees digging again.
“Septima,” Troy cried out.
The others joined him, including Chance and Cienna. They found several parts of dead animals as they dug their way downward but after a few minutes, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Bro,” Lakin said. “Tohmas.”
“Sir,” Caiden said. “There is no
way...”
“I’ll dig alone then,” he yelled. “I won’t let her die.”
“Tohmas,” Cienna said, working on her comm-device. “Septima’s comm-device is not responding. It is unaffected by cold and should still be working. It must be crushed, which means she’s dead. You’re wasting your time.”
Troy jumped at her but Geoff had already moved to intercept him. Cienna was inches out of reach as Geoff held him back.
“What the hell is wrong with you? You’re her best friend,” Troy said. “How can you be so crass?”
Cienna’s eyes darted around the group.
“I’m a realist,” she said, pointing her finger at him. “She can’t be alive and we need to tend to our injured. Your friends have burns and cuts all over them. They’re probably suffering from hypothermia. We’re all hurt and need medical attention. You’re uglier now with half your face gone. How long are you going to waste my-- our time trying to save someone that is clearly dead?”
Troy glared at her. His fists clenched as he warred with himself about killing Cienna right then and there, but that desire belonged to Tohmas, not Troy.
“Sir,” Caiden said.
Troy willed himself to relax. Controlling his fears his entire life had been the catalyst that had taught him how to relax and let it go. Now was one of those moments, only this time he did it so he wouldn’t kill Cienna.
“Caiden,” Troy said, “gather all of our dead and let’s take them home. Also, gather anything dead above ground, including the Reptaurans my group killed on the cliff above. Dispose of them. The avalanche worked in our favor. When the Reptauran patrols come looking for them, they’ll find nearly all of them buried under the snow, a natural accident. What about our blood?”
“On Pira, it snows every day. It will be covered before they arrive.”
“Will they try to account for every member of their patrol?” Troy asked.
“No, sir. If none return, they will send a larger squad to find out what happened. Their short range scanners will find them buried and assume all died as a result of the avalanche. Any lizard they don’t find will be assumed eaten by the local predators. They’re really not overly concerned about their own. They’ll simply want to make sure an enemy was not involved.”
“Which is why we’ll have to make sure we leave no Pirans behind,” Troy said, staring at Cienna.
“Shit,” Cienna said. “I’m not digging anymore.”
“Then get your ass up top and bring Danira and those Reptaurans down,” he ordered. “Find Kelit’an’s body too and cover the scenes as best you can. Geoff, Chance, go with her.”
“That I can do,” Cienna said, staring him down.
“How fortunate for all of us,” Troy said.
The snow slowed her down but Cienna walked away with Chance and Geoff following behind. Did she blame Troy? That would explain her irrational behavior though he’d seen some strange reactions from her since arriving on Pira. Aggressive behavior seemed to be the standard for Rohku and it was especially true in her and Tohmas.
They had to retrieve Danira and find Rigs and Monro first as they would be the easiest to reach, which would leave only Septima. He gathered the others and began digging near the cliff face again. They pulled out the two dead bodies when his comm-device beeped. His first reaction was to assume it was Septima but it was not her special chime.
Incoming Message.
Time: 16:82
Do it
Troy remembered he hadn’t actually read Septima’s message before the avalanche. She had indeed told him to blow the explosives. He wasn’t surprised and it did nothing to relieve the guilt he felt. The hurt inside wanted to burst out of him in a wash of tears, but he didn’t have that luxury. Others depended on him. He read the message he received.
Incoming Message.
Time: 17:05
Troy,
I got a message from Septima. She’s alive! On our way back. Explain then.
Cienna
Troy looked up to see two Reptauran bodies get thrown from the top of the cliff, the very cliff he had climbed up earlier. The three of them then lowered Danira’s body down first, jumping down afterward. Taking her time, Cienna strolled up as Geoff and Chance carried Danira’s body.
“Septima’s alive,” Cienna said. “She found a hole in the debris area large enough to crawl into. It turned out to be part of a tunnel system. She followed it and it took her south of here according to my triangulation. She’s topside now which is why her comm-device was not responding previously. She was underground and the signal was blocked. Septima says she found signs of wild hounds. We have to get her and us out of here by dark. They come out at night. We don’t want to be outside when they come out to feed.”
Why didn’t she send him the text? Was she still angry at him for leaving her? Maybe it was because she was angry he detonated the bomb. Who would really do that to someone they loved?
“How long do we have?” Troy asked.
“One segment,” Caiden answered. “Uh, that’s roughly two hours to you humans.”
“Geoff, please carry Danira. Lakin, Chance, dump the Reptaurans in the hole we dug trying to get to Septima, cover it up as best you can and then grab Rigs and Monro. We’re moving out,” Troy ordered.
“What about Kelit’an?” Geoff asked.
“Shit,” Troy said. “He’s nearly a mile away and almost in the opposite direction.”
“Which is why we didn’t go after him when Septima contacted me,” Cienna said. “We don’t have time to do both and we shouldn’t split up.”
Troy knew Cienna was right but the fact she said it only made him angrier knowing it was a selfish decision on her part.
“Sir,” Caiden said. “If he’s not buried in the snow, the hounds will find his corpse and--”
“--and take care of our problem,” Cienna finished.
Troy nodded, leading the team south around the cliff and through the densely-packed evergreen forest. They had no choice now but to move through the thick forest of rough terrain, constantly pushing their way through the stiff tree limbs. The evergreen-like trees grew next to each other creating an ongoing wall of vegetation as if this was Pira’s twisted version of a tropical forest from earth. Visibility never got farther than the tree ahead of him but they managed to progress southward through it. After nearly half an hour, the temperature rose several degrees causing Troy to pause. The looks on the faces of the others indicated they felt it too. Troy moved forward again this time with more caution. The temperature change concerned him, though another side of him felt elated. This was exactly where he should be but his own anticipation gave him pause. Why did he feel so good about this? There were wild hounds in the area and other unknown dangers ahead of him, yet he couldn’t wait to get through this forest. It was as if the other side would be a fulfillment of a long awaited promise of happiness.
“What the hell?” Troy said.
“Sir?” Caiden asked.
Troy held the back of his closed fist up, military style, silencing Caiden. The forest ended and Troy stepped out into the open. Ahead of him was a pass between two mountainous rock formations. The ground changed quickly ahead of him. Snow turned to water and then farther on, water turned to a vapory steam. The height of the walls on either side made him feel small and insignificant. They were mammoth in size, almost entirely smooth and covered in moisture.
“The snow above must be melting slowly, letting the water flow down both walls, eventually turning to steam as it grows closer to whatever is heating this place,” Cienna said.
“That path ahead of us is natural but treacherous. Cienna, do you have a location on Septima?” Troy asked.
“If she hasn’t moved much, yes. I’m dependent on triangulation and we’ve been moving in a straight line now for several increments. I know where she was and that she is currently ahead of us.”
Troy pulled out his device.
Time: 17:22
Sep,
Stay
put. We’re closing on your position.
Tohmas
Message Sent.
“Drop the bodies inside the evergreen trees where it is still cold and catch up to us,” Troy ordered.
Troy knew it would only take them a few seconds so he motioned for the rest of the group to move forward with him. His device chimed again.
Incoming Message.
Time: 17:23
Okay.
Troy put the device back, hurt by her short reply. The Piran sun still shone but its light filtered down into the area, weakly illuminating the rocky path. Dark gray stone absorbed the light from above, contributing to the limited visibility. The rock glistened with moisture as Troy adjusted the settings on his blaster. He dropped its power output to the weapon’s lowest setting and then flipped up a special light spreader on its tip. The weapon was now their light source, a simple flashlight.
“Weapons check,” Troy whispered as he kept moving. “Make sure your weapons are still set to lethal and do it quietly.”
Troy’s face was exposed to the elements. He had lost the top layers of flesh on his cheek all the way back to his ear but the bullet hadn’t opened any holes into his mouth. He was bleeding badly and was surely a gruesome sight for his team. He hoped their advanced medical technology could heal him.
Troy returned his focus to saving them. He was their only hope. He couldn’t count on any of them when it came to their military training. Caiden would be the only one he’d trust to be ready in a pinch which meant he constantly had to keep the rest of them on their toes. Caiden would never question him or offer advice unless Troy obviously missed something critical. He walked lithely along the path, slightly crouched, using his newly acquired abilities from his parasitic changes. His emotions were afire and strangely mixed. Septima could be in danger and he felt a deep sense of concern for her, yet the excitement of discovery overshadowed everything except caution. The area was familiar to him and he knew the danger here was very real. He had to get to Septima quickly but something else waited for him and, whatever it was, drove his excitement. Troy was elated and he had no idea why. Something gnawed at him and he could feel an internal struggle as that knowledge was suppressed. His focused shifted to the danger ahead of him causing Troy to pause as he tried to remember what he was thinking about. He put his hand to his head, concentrating, but still it eluded him.