The Red Leopards of Zaxon B (Galaxies Collide Book 2)

by McGregor, Andrew

  As they neared the top, Shino felt the cold breeze across her lower face as she waved playfully at the girl and her mother, the air quality improving slightly. Tregan’s shadow rose up into the opening at the top first, his silhouette lowering and moving to the side as Riaz tensed, lunging forward to scramble after him.

  Reaching the top of the path, he felt the freezing breeze sweep across his features as he looked across the open high ground. Shino dropped next to him gasping as Debra dropped a hand on her shoulder, the three staring wide eyed at the scene before them.

  Tregan sat with his back to the cold rocks to their right, the snow bound terrain stretching into the distance with high jagged mountains rising on either side. Shino’s arm rose slowly as they stared, her eyes moist with emotion as she took in the sights before them. Dense snow covered trees and bushes stretched along the rock sides, the terrain covered in a thick white blanket as the three gasped, the Trevakian marines behind standing in awe.

  The large mammoths strode majestically across the snow, several of their young calves following obediently behind their mothers as the herd stomped across the iced terrain. Some twenty animals walked before them, a couple more herds visible in the distance through the snow flurry. Their long matted coats glistened and steamed with melted snow, the matted animal hair moving slightly as the massive muscles tensed.

  Long curled tusks extended before the beasts as they snorted in the cold morning air, the females glancing round fondly for their calves as the smaller animals followed on, a couple attempting to suckle for milk. Two dominant males glanced round, seeming to eye the figures with dismissive suspicion as they tramped on further, heading for the frozen bushes and trees.

  Shino stared across the beasts, her mouth dry beneath her scarf as Tregan indicated to the nearby herd, ‘They are protected animals under our laws…the Morgons shoot them for food.’ He pushed his back up across the rock, ‘Let’s hope they never get here!’

  Debra stuttered, ‘W-we had beasts like this on earth millions of years ago…dinosaurs…how have they survived here?’

  Tregan shrugged as he stepped forward, ‘They are robust and caring beasts…happily providing nourishing milk for the villagers and garrison…we had hoped to breed them across the planet, but the war has prevented us.’ He sighed deeply in the cold air, ‘There are apparently barns further along the side of the rocks storing extra food for them for just these temperatures. The military brought have brought the food up every month as a supplement to the bushes and trees, to encourage extra breeding…I feel we will be unable to continue this now…most of the young may die.’

  Debra shook her head, her voice broken as she saw Shino bow her head, ‘They are so beautiful…what can we do to keep them fed?’

  Tregan started to walk through the snow to the side, skirting the rock side, ‘The Morgons will use the tusks as souvenirs and turn them into trinkets to adorn their armour…the hides they will spread across their backs as souvenirs and trophies.’ He pointed to the mountain ranges around, ‘We positioned anti-air batteries above to stop them landing here…let’s hope they are still armed and able to fire. If we get time, we will check them.’ He trudged further, ‘Let’s get to the barns for some shelter…walk round the edges to avoid startling them…they may come to us if they feel comfortable.’ He stretched slowly, ‘If we can keep coming up here, then the animals will continue to be fed, but with our current numbers I am not so sure…’

  They trudged after the Trevakian, staring across fondly at the large cumbersome animals, the beasts snorting in the morning cold, the condensed air forced from their nostrils as they walked. Several of the smaller calves glanced across at the group of figures, a couple bellowing across the snow as they recognised the small girl and her mother, the opportunity of the companionship and perhaps some extra food springing into their minds.

  As the soldiers turned across the base of the enormous clearing, advancing up a slight incline through drifting snow as a shrill trumpeted animal call swept across the land, one of the mammoth’s signalling to the herd that humans were progressing towards the barn, the location of extra winter food and meal. The large tusked beasts turned slowly in the snow, their eyes staring between matted hair at the darkened silhouettes against the snow and bushes, a couple moving forward cautiously, their suspicions of the extra figures evident.

  Shino stared at the beasts, her lips curling in a respectful smile as she looked at the mothers nurturing and gently pushing their calves behind their large haired bodies for safety. The Philippine raised her voice slightly towards Tregan ahead, ‘What of the Silaks…what will they do to these beautiful animals?’

  Tregan turned his head, coughing as the freezing cold caught in his throat, ‘It’s very strange, they seem to have respected their existence across the planet. There have been even rumours of them openly defying the Morgons when the animals were killed or injured. We have never understood why…’

  Debra sniffed, seeing the mammoths cautiously lumber towards them with curiosity, her voice lowered, ‘They are so majestic and stunning.’ She grinned as several of the animals snorted once more, their enormous heavily haired heads shaking against the cold air.

  The group neared the top of the slope, the decrepit barn standing in the distance as wind and snow whipped around the holed wooden and resin structure, the signs of weathered deterioration clearly evident on the walls. Snowflakes swirled from the sloped roof as the wind beat against the building, a petrified wooden broken fence stretching from the sides as an old enclosure to contain animals of years past.

  The girl suddenly grasped Shino’s lower arm, dragging her forward, her young excited voice shrill in the cold, ‘Keterick! Keterick!’ Her mother laughed softly, running after her daughter as Shino engaged with the youngster’s enthusiasm, jogging forward with the youngster.

  The Philippine shouted over her shoulder, ‘What does it mean?’

  Tregan laughed aloud, the strain falling from his eyes as he shouted back, ‘She wants you to help feed them…I think she really likes you!’

  They ran towards the barn, snow rising up their shins as they pushed through the drifting flakes, Shino glancing towards the large mammoths, giggling as she heard a shrill excited roar from one of the mothers, her calves ducking out from behind her in anticipation as they observed the figures nearing the structure that housed the food.

  Reaching the weather beaten doors, Shino grasped the handle, her rifle slipping behind her body as she wrenched the nearest open, her eyes widening in horror as she glimpsed the four figures scramble across the floor inside through the dim cascading light. Falling back, she lost her balance, struggling to grasp the weapon beneath her, the rifle pinned into the snow with her weight.

  Gasping as she lay in the snow struggling, the girl stepped into the doorway, Shino’s hands rising upwards in attempt to pull the small figure away, the frail little body irritatingly out of reach. Tregan lunged forward, seeing the spectacle, his rifle rising as he struggled to run, the snow restricting his progress. Riaz followed, his legs rising to either side in attempts to overcome the drifting snow, Debra following as the three Trevakians behind raised their rifles and spun to either side to cover.

  Shino screamed in desperation as the child’s mothers dropped to her knees next to her, ‘No!’ Don’t shoot!’

  A male voice screamed back through the darkness as weapons were frantically raised and targeted in the barn, ‘Nyet!’

  The Philippine struggled upwards to a seated position, her mouth gasping in hissed shock, ‘Russkie?’

  The resounding sound of bolts being pulled back echoed through the barn, the small girl turning towards Shino and giggling knowingly, her brown eyes sparkling in the light, ‘Nyet…Silakia!’

  Chapter Twenty Two: Encirclement; Hold until relieved

  Rees grimaced, the shock shooting and twisting through his stomach as he stared across the wounded in the next room. Having moved into the darkened basement of the town main gatheri
ng building, the Trevakian marine medic had advised him that the casualties from the Morgon initial attack were in the next building, the basements adjoined and linked by a narrow corridor.

  They had laid Captain Mason and the other surviving wounded, eleven in all, carefully and gently on the floors of the wide dusty room, oil lamps and battery operated lighting providing a dim glow across the walls and blood soaked floor. Medics and civilian volunteers immediately fussed around the broken and injured bodies, the exhausted troops slumping next to the victims or seeking water and some rest in other parts of the underground sanctuary.

  Moving slowly and nervously along the corridor…he had wanted to see if he could help with his company trained medical ability. The medical orderly had seemed defeated and exhausted, his eyes strained as he shook his head dismissively, advising there were no medical beds in the village and even if they were available, there was insufficient power…most casualties would not survive. Rees was unable to comprehend the viciousness of the enemy, their seeming lack of mercy beyond his imagination. He forced himself forward, walking along the dimly lit corridor as dust fell from the ceiling, the rumble of an artillery barrage landing above. Medics trudged past with resting soldiers sat on the dusty floor lining the corridor walls, their exhausted grimy faces indicating the attrition of the combat on the surface.

  Approaching the doorway ahead cautiously, he reaffirmed his belief, convincing himself that he needed to know what was ahead and that he could perhaps offer help, provide an extra pair of hands or opinion…even just prevent the flow of blood from wounds, assist where needed.

  As he neared the doorway to the next room, the moaning and whimpering got louder, his breath held as he approached the opening. His eyes widening as he forced his boots through the dust, the entrance to the room just a couple of steps away. As he thrust his body into the doorway, his mind swept with pain, the three lines of bodies in the room contorted in death or fighting for the final seconds and minutes of life.

  Several medical staff knelt by the victims, holding hands or arms in final desperate comfort as bodies shuddered, the floor soaked crimson with blood. Rees dropped to his knees in overwhelming shock, the wounded soldiers coughing blood through torn chests, cracked and bent body armour cutting deep into flesh as crimson liquid pumped from the wounds. Several bodies lay still, open eyes staring upwards or towards the doorway, the final sight of the victim the route of entry…but not exit, their hearts finally stopping as they stared longingly at the only route a fit body could take, beyond reach and their now crippled frames.

  Tears filled the Heathrow volunteer’s eyes as he forced himself to stare across the bodies, a number missing limbs or completely covered by black resin blankets. A hand grasped his shoulder armour, his head turning sharply as he realised Jozefina was beside him, tears flowing down her face as she indicated for him to leave, her voice a whisper, ‘Come on…let’s get back to the others…give these souls some peace and dignity…’

  He nodded slowly, sniffing as he struggled to his feet, several medics passing him to enter the room, their hands full of additional medical supplies. He turned grimly, wiping the tears from his face, his rifle rising in his hands as his grip tensed across the metal alloy.

  Captain Mason coughed, blood dripping from his mouth onto his chest combats, his eyes bloodshot and confused. The medic knelt next to him turned, staring into Jozefina’s eyes, ‘He is heavily concussed, dislocated jaw and shoulder…I don’t know what internal injuries he has, but we will keep the pain away.’ The orderly rose to his feet wearily, his uniform splattered with blood and indicating to the captain again, ‘Oh, and one of his eardrums is perforated…so he will probably not hear you…’

  Jozefina lowered herself next to the American, her eyes drifting across his chest as the captain coughed again, spitting blood from his mouth as he shuffled painfully to look at her, his voice strained, ‘We got out then…how many escaped?’

  The female supervisor shook her head, a tear falling from her chin, ‘Not many…fourteen Blue Leopards, eight Trevakians, six Americans and seven reservists…there are fifteen wounded including you…’

  The captain’s eyes darkened in pain, his chest wheezing as he sucked air into his blood coated throat, his hand grasping her leg tightly, ‘Out of how many originally?’

  Captain Mekeert crouched down next to them, startling Jozefina, her voice firm as she interrupted, ‘Had it not been for your actions though captain, there would be no survivors…these soldiers owe you and us their lives…’ She pursed her lips, ‘Out of over five hundred…the Blue Leopards have now ceased to exist as a fighting unit…’ Her voice tailed off as the American coughed again, blood dripping from his mouth as he waved his hand dismissively, his chest heaving violently as he struggled to breath.

  Jozefina turned, her voice rising and broken as the American continued coughing uncontrollably, his body shaking for air, ‘Medic!’

  The orderly ran forward, dropping to his knees next to the casualty and indicating for them to leave, his head twisting round frantically as he grasped the captain’s arm, ‘Oxygen and adrenalin…we are losing him!’

  The two women rose slowly, turning away despondently as an orderly pushed roughly past, carrying a mask and syringe. Mekeert glanced back as Jo bowed her head, the rasping cough escalating to gasps as the medic frantically pounded the American captain’s chest.

  Jozefina stared at the two black resin blankets, the bodies beneath beyond help as she sucked air in shock. The shattered shoulder armour and helmets next to the corpses had the same blood splattered lettering as her own armour, the word ‘Heathrow’ just visible as blood seeped over the lettering. Her shoulders shook slightly, the combat uniform pumping amphetamines across her follicles, her body stiffening in response.

  Captain Mekeert and Jozefina Kapralova trudged wearily to the top of the steps from the basement in silence, the snowflakes flurrying through the opening ahead as shellfire burst above. Tracers swept into the dawn sky, the defender firing up against a Morgon transport flying overhead, the countermeasure flares flashing through the mirk. The rattle of fire echoed around them, shouts of alarm and for medics breaking through the snowfall.

  Rees sat slumped next to the steps to the opening, his helmet in his lap, the sheer exhaustion clear as his head drooped downwards onto his chest. Snowflakes were settling across his shoulders and matted hair, his helmet almost covered as Mekeert indicated to him, ‘Get the remainder of your soldiers together and get some food and rest…we are now in the gravest of situations with the Morgons surrounding us…’

  Jozefina stared at the captain, her eyes widening, ‘How many soldiers are there here…have we enough food and ammunition?’

  The captain drew closer, shaking snow from her helmet, her voice lowered, ‘There are three villages linked by underground tunnels…they were used at night to prevent people becoming lost in the dark or attacked by animals. The other hamlets are isolated…we have formed ‘hedgehog’ defences around the buildings and are able to move supplies freely underground at present.’ They glanced round startled as soldiers ran past in the street, then the captain continued, ‘Trevakian Marines and human forces number a couple of thousand, maybe as many as four…we have heavy weaponry and can hold out for some time…maybe a couple of your weeks. Longer if we are supplied and supported. Thankfully we have ample anti-air capability, the Morgons are therefore not bombing us…’ She stiffened, staring upwards into the snowflakes, ‘…I guess they are busy above instead.’

  Jo shook her head, staring at the female Trevakian, her eyes lowering, ‘We have lost most of the troops on the way here and are now cut off…what will stop the Morgons from advancing on the city?’

  Mekeert shrugged, placing a gloved hand on the supervisor’s shoulder, ‘I fear nothing will stop them now…the main central defence of Morasat is lying dead or are missing across the wasteland to the west. This includes the Blue Leopard commander…one of the finest fighting forces of the Herraki
ans has been wiped out in a couple of hours.’ The captain shook her head in distain, looking away as emotion surged within her, High Command will probably be stripping defences to fill the gap at the cliffs, but I think this stupid gamble by Major Hecklan has brought the end a lot nearer…it has cost a lot of lives.’

  She grimaced, ‘It is likely all our deaths will be here…make the most of this time commander…you report directly to me now through this Lieutenant Kim.’ The captain turned abruptly and marched off through the snow, gunfire erupting to the east and west as she disappeared through the flurrying flakes, troops running past with ammunition boxes towards the defensive position.

  Rees’s mind was wandering in his exhaustion, his mind attempting to block out the horror. It swept across the sights he had seen, the vivid and breath-taking stars and planet outline as he had glanced through the viewing window on the space station, his adrenalin pounding as he had realised the beauty and stunning vision of space, the flashes of fire and flak as enemy fighters swept past in the distance.

  Then the terrifying space trip to the planet’s surface, the fear and dread as the transport bucked through the atmosphere, his colleagues around him providing strength as some joked nervously, other staring in silence or with their eyes clamped shut in terror. His fondness for his people and work colleagues causing a wry smile in his slumber, their humour and bravado soothing his own nerves and dissipating his deep fears.

  They had landed roughly at the capital city spaceport, their eyes wide with awe as the many fighters took off, shooting upwards into the heavens as they stared after the silver craft. Four flight crew had walked past, smiling and saluting as he and his colleagues stared at the impressive snake emblazoned on their grey flight suits, the elite fighter silver squadron taking to the heavens shortly after they landed.