by JN Chaney
“There are several nutrient bags attached to the back of the suit. On my command, the suit will rotate them and feed the contents through a straw and into my helmet,” explained Lena. “If I manage the bags properly, they can last for over two dozen days.”
Short looked at Hughes. “Yummy.”
“Do we even want to ask about going to the bathroom?” asked Hughes.
“The suit also takes care of—”
“Alright, alright,” interrupted Short. “I get it.”
Hughes laughed. “So, moving on, what’s it like on this planet? Is it pretty violent? What’s your city like?”
“What do you mean?” asked Lena.
“I think you gotta get more specific,” said Short. “She doesn’t have a clue what Central’s like, or even Earth. She’s got nothing to compare it to.”
Hughes nodded. “I get you. Well, Lena, do you live in a big place?”
“Everlasting is quite large. It has over six million residents,” explained Lena. “In fact, the city is growing every year. We recently expanded the reach of the domeguard to incorporate more landmass.”
“Domeguard?” asked Short. “The hell is that?”
Lena hesitated, remembering how Titus had told her not to give them any information pertaining to the city’s defenses. She shouldn’t have said anything. What if her admission got back to Master Gel? She could be reprimanded. Maybe even sent to one of the facilities. A nervous flutter ran over her chest. “I apologize,” she said. “I misspoke.”
The door opened and Johnathan Finn entered. “How’s it going in here? You two teaching her how to butcher our language?”
“You know it, sir,” said Short.
“This sort of job seems better suited for a diplomat or a scientist, don’t you think, boss?” asked Hughes.
“Yeah, probably,” answered Finn. “But that’ll have to wait until Central sends us one. In the meantime, you two are stuck with the job.”
“What about Curie’s team?” asked Short.
“Left a few hours ago. Mei has to go get the person you were just asking for, or at least put in the request. She says she knows someone who can help.”
Short glanced back at Lena, smiling. “Well, this one’s a quick study. She’s already talking in full sentences. Not sure we’ll need anyone by then.”
Finn closed the CHU door. He walked over to the table in the center and sat on it, facing Lena. “Is that so?”
“Show him what you got,” said Short. “I’m telling you, sir. She’s unreal.”
Lena deactivated her translator. “Thank you, but I still have far to go. It will take me some time before I am fully conversational.”
Sergeant Finn raised his brow. “Wow, you guys weren’t kidding. You already know how to talk like this? It’s only been a day.”
“Thirteen hours, approximately,” said Lena, a little proudly.
“It takes most people years to learn another language,” said Hughes. “She’s been at it for less than a day and she’s already almost there. How nuts is that?”
“Yeah, nuts,” said Finn, staring at her. “Lena, do you know when your friends are coming back? Doctor Curie went home to let our people know what’s going on, but it would help if we had something more to give them.”
“They should arrive within a few days. Perhaps more. It depends on what the Leadership decides.”
“A little vague,” said Finn.
“I apologize,” said Lena. She didn’t know what else to say. Everlasting had little experience dealing with technologically advanced civilizations. Certainly, these people were not on the same level as Everlasting, but they were far above the primitive tribes inhabiting this continent. There were very few protocols in place to deal with such a scenario, particularly when it came to alien lifeforms from another universe. Another reality.
Perhaps there had been, though, back when this facility had first been constructed and the portal was activated. Maybe Master Gel had access to such a document and could use it to decide what actions to take next. Such protocols were very important in Everlasting. The entire society relied on them. Order was crucial to the longevity of the city and its people. Without such practices, civilization would cease to exist. Master Gel and the rest of the Leadership had taught them as much.
“We’ll just have to hold down until they get here,” said Finn. “Hopefully Mei can—”
A loud roar came from outside, followed by a series of gunshots. “The hell was that?” asked Hughes.
“Better find out,” said Finn, gripping his weapon. “Hughes, you’re with me. Short, stay here with our guest.”
Short grunted. “Alright, boss.”
“Sorry, but someone’s gotta babysit.”
“I get it,” she said.
Finn ran outside, along with Hughes. Short closed the CHU door once they were clear. “This sucks,” she said.
“Sucks?” asked Lena, hearing the word for the first time.
“It means it’s unfortunate,” explained Short.
“The incident outside?” asked Lena.
“No,” she answered, shaking her head. “It sucks I’m missing all the action.”
******
As soon as John left the CHU, he could see motion in the woods. Several of the trees were moving, almost dancing, like weeds in the wind, except these were sturdy trees, and the wind was almost nonexistent. Something was inside the forest. Something big.
Gunfire echoed, a spray of bullets from a weapon John recognized—the same sort he carried by his side. His team was under attack. “Hurry, Hughes,” he snapped, bolting through the field.
“Right behind you,” said the sniper, who was readying his own weapon, bulky as it might be.
The two of them ran through the tree line toward the chaos and gunfire. They found the source of it quickly, as three soldiers had gathered around a massive beast, a snarling animal with thick legs and a large snout, with daggers for teeth.
Brooks held her rifle steady and yelled, “Let him have it!”
The other three opened fire, unleashing a swarm of heat. The animal staggered, but regained itself, seemingly uninjured. It turned toward them and snarled, heaving and growling, dripping spit and slime. “The hide’s too thick,” said Hatch. “Aim for the mouth and eyes!”
Before they could follow through, the animal charged, aiming itself at Brooks and Meridy. The two dodged to the side, landing several meters away, and the animal continued into a tree, ripping it from the ground. It roared a mighty cry, so loud it shook John’s chest.
He could feel the adrenaline building in his body, giving way to instinct. He felt his heart calm and his muscles relax. The world around him slowed, and he heard the heavy breathing of the animal before him, grunting. The beast had its back to him, so he’d have to get around it. “Get ready to fire,” he told Hughes. “I’ll set you up.”
“Right,” said the sniper.
John bolted forward, passing to the side of the animal, firing his gun into its ribs in an attempt to get its attention.
The animal screamed at him, charging in his direction. John took a few steps back, squaring himself between two trees. As the beast pounded forward, John kicked himself off the bark and over the head of the creature, firing his weapon into his skull. Most of the bullets deflected, but a few managed to graze the animal’s mouth. John landed on its spine and ran onto the ground, rolling free. He fired into its back, letting it know to turn around. “When you see its face, hit it!” he yelled.
Hughes and the other Blacks took aim and waited.
The hulking creature shook its head erratically, roaring for revenge, and soon enough it turned to find its enemy waiting patiently to its back.
The entire squad let out a storm of bullets, filling the beast with pain. Its eyes tore apart as heated metal grazed its flesh. In a fit of panic, the creature roared. It ran headfirst in the direction of the camp, kicking its back legs like a raging bull.
John and the others
hurried, keeping pace as best they could. But the animal was fast and wild, too afraid to stop and fight. “It’s heading for the CHUs!” cried Hughes as they chased after it.
“Get out of there, Short!” John screamed so loud his voice cracked. “Short, get out of the building!”
A second later, the mammoth beast plowed straight into the structure, toppling part of the structure to the ground. It stumbled, rolling onto its side.
A woman screamed. “What the shit!”
“Short!” John yelled again. He unsheathed his knife, preparing for a close range fight. No bullets here where people could get hit. John leapt into the air, landing on the creature’s back. He gripped the top of its head, readying the knife.
The animal took quick notice of him and started bucking.
John held firm, plunging the blade into the beast’s eye socket and twisting.
With a wail, the animal stumbled and fell, kicking, tossing John to the ground. He rolled to his side, scrambling away, trying to avoid getting trampled. Blood gushed from the animal’s skull, pooling into the broken CHU and the ground around it. It gargled as the blood filled its throat, and then all at once it went quiet and still.
Hughes ran to John’s side, a look of wonder in his eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked, breathing heavily.
John nodded, slightly dazed. “I…yeah, yeah, I’m good.”
“Well, I think you got him,” said Hughes. “I’d say he’s good and dead.”
******
“I gotta say, Lena, your planet’s getting on my nerves,” said Johnathan Finn, who now wore a fresh set of clothes after the last one had been drenched in blood. “Seems like every other day, our camp is attacked by some crazy animal.”
Lena had been moved to another CHU, following the destruction of the last. It was all very startling, to say the least.
She didn’t fully understand the capabilities of the weapons these people carried, but she was certain they could handle themselves. If they were anything like the pistols she and her team had been assigned, then they must be powerful.
“Next time, can you boys give me some sort of heads-up? Talk about a surprise,” said Short.
“I tried yelling,” said John.
“Well you weren’t loud enough, boss.”
“Oh well. Just another monster,” said John. “No big deal.”
“A monster?” asked Lena.
John sat on the nearby table. “Sure. You know, deadly monsters with horrible breath that try to kill you. Haven’t you ever seen one? We’ve had to kill at least a dozen by now.”
She paused at the word kill. Was that the right translation? It couldn’t be. Only savages and the uncivilized killed. “Please, say this again.”
“Which part?” asked Short.
“Did you say you killed the animal?” she asked.
“That’s right,” said Hughes.
“Was it necessary? Do you not have the capability to paralyze them?”
“If you’re talking about that stuff you used on my team when you first got here, the answer is no,” said John.
“Then you have no means of peaceful resolution? No way to avoid violence?”
“We always try to avoid it,” said John. “Sometimes you can’t. Did you see how it plowed into the CHU? You were inside, right? What were we supposed to do? Let it trample you?”
“It is forbidden to kill in Everlasting. That is why we use the toxin,” explained Lena.
“Sure, but like I said, we don’t have that. Besides, you don’t even bother to ask questions first before you dish that stuff out.”
“Questions?”
“You came into our camp and took us down without so much as a hello. You didn’t even try to reach out first.”
“But the toxin is harmless. We would never—”
“I think our definition of the word harmless is different. We don’t consider getting paralyzed a good thing.”
“It’s kinda bad, actually,” said Hughes.
“Yeah, no good,” agreed Short.
“Look, Lena, we do everything we can to avoid killing, but when it comes right down to it, you have to defend yourself,” said John.
Lena gave a slight nod, but she still found the notion disturbing. It reminded her of the recent terrorist attack back home where Jinel Din, a fellow analyst, had been killed. Only extremists did such things. Only the uncivilized or the mentally ill.
The Leadership had always taught against murder, even in self-defense. If someone was found to deviate from this, they were promptly sent to either the reeducation facilities or the wellness centers. Everlasting took care of its people.
It was a safe place.
CHAPTER 9
Ortego Outpost File Logs
Play Audio File 920
Recorded: February 12, 2351
CURIE: Have you had a chance to look over the files I sent you?
HARPER: I only finished a few moments ago.
CURIE: And what did you conclude?
HARPER: That you must be out of your mind.
CURIE: It’s not the worst thing anyone’s said about me.
HARPER: This is incredible, Doctor Curie. Sentient life? I don’t even know what to say.
CURIE: Thank you, but I didn’t do anything. We assumed whoever built that facility had long since disappeared. When they actually showed up, it was a surprise.
HARPER: It said in your report they incapacitated your entire group. Is that right? Do you think they’re dangerous?
CURIE: I don’t think so, but we still know little about them. Their leader wasn’t very forthcoming about their home. Or anything, really.
HARPER: This Everlasting…it’s such an odd name for a city, almost as though it’s missing another word. What sort of culture do you think they have?
CURIE: That’s sort of why I’m calling. I need you to send an ambassador. Someone who represents Central. I assume you’ll want a politician who knows how to speak with people. Maybe one of the board members in the Science Division.
HARPER: I see. I’ll have to ask them. Do you have any suggestions?
CURIE: Not really.
HARPER: I’ll ask around and see what I can do. I might have to get in touch with Colonel Ross as well. She’ll probably want to send her own representative.
CURIE: Thank you for your help, Doctor Harper.
HARPER: Hey, you’re the one who just discovered an alien race. I’m only helping you with the details.
End Audio File
Somewhere in Kant
February 13, 2351
The ship pulled into the dock at Edgewater in the late morning. Terry helped unload a few barrels, though there wasn’t much to be done.
The bulk of Hux’s cargo would remain on the boat, headed straight for Tharosa. The spices and materials from Capeside and the other villages further south would sell for quite a bit upon his return. Tharosa was frozen for most of the year, locked beneath snow and ice, with very few native crops to call its own. The plants it had were deep inside its city caves, far underground. The cities were vast and sprawling with life, as busy as one could imagine, Hux had explained, with thousands of people living and working together. He’d spoken of it with such pride—strange, since Hux seemed more inclined to travel the seas than live in a city.
But then, every traveler needed a home to come back to.
When the barrels had been delivered to a merchant by the name of Plead, Terry returned to Hux’s side, along with Ludo, and together the three shared a brief meal. “I have talked with Plead and he tells me he can show you the way to the border,” said Hux, drinking down his glass of wine.
“Thank you, Hux,” said Ludo. “You are a kind man.”
“No need for thanks. I would go with you myself, were I able to leave this ship. Deliveries must be made, though, so this is all I can do.”
“It’s more than enough,” said Terry.
They finished their meal together, and Hux walked them to the dock. Plead stood there
waiting, holding a cloth satchel. “Welcome to Edgewater!” exclaimed the merchant. “I’m Plead, your guide to the temple. It is good to meet you both!”
“Please, tell me of your route,” said Ludo.
“Of course, dear sir,” said Plead. “Please, allow me to show you a map.”
Terry felt a hand on his shoulder. “Give me a moment, if you will,” said Hux.
“Of course,” said Terry.
Hux had a serious look on his face. “The place you’re going…I trust you understand what it is.”
“It’s dangerous. I already know.”
“Dangerous, yes,” said Hux. His eyes grew distant, like he was remembering. “There is a great wall there, which stretches far and wide beyond measure. On the other side, there is a valley, stretching into the mountains. That is where they perform the ritual with the priestesses. It is where Ludo’s wife will be, should you delay too long.”
“What kind of hazards?” asked Terry.
“The Guardians,” said Hux. “Legendary beasts. They say they protect the city of Everlasting and the gods who dwell there.”
“Ludo mentioned them once. Are they real?” asked Terry.
Hux nodded. “I’ve seen them myself, but I don’t know what they truly are. In all my travels, I’ve yet to see any animal like them. They seem more like giants. Like men.”
“Men? How?”
“Two legs. Two arms. A head with eyes to see. You’ll know when you find them, but be wary. Do not venture into the valley unless you have to…unless there is no other choice. Do you understand?”
“I think so,” said Terry.
Hux extended his arm, and Terry took it. “I am glad to have met you, Little Traveler from the unknown lands. I will see you again, once you’ve done what you need to. On that day, you should bring me good news.”
“I will,” said Terry, grasping Hux’s arm. “Thank you for everything.”
******
Bravo Gate Point
February 12, 2351
John was surprised at how quickly Lena Sol adapted to English. He’d always heard it was one of the more complex languages, but it seemed she had very little trouble with it. By the end of the first day, she was speaking basic sentences, but midway through the second she was already nearly fluent. It was truly remarkable, and that was coming from a man who’d seen some extraordinary things.