aHunter4Gotten

by Cynthia A. Clement

  Ardal’s voice was firm. When Eogan had communicated with him after agreeing to assist the H.R.F., Ardal had been in agreement. The Albireons must be defeated. It was their duty as Hunters to rid Earth of this scourge. They would proceed with caution though.

  “I will give them the information they want about the Albireons’ defenses at the base, and then make my decision about how far to continue with them.”

  “I trust your judgement. You have more experience dealing with security issues on this planet. Do not endanger your life. Wait for us, and we will finish the operation without the H.R.F. if necessary.”

  Eogan had his instructions.

  If these humans were trustworthy, then the full force of the Hunters on Earth would support them in their cause. Otherwise, Ardal and his unit of warriors, would battle the Albireons on their own, as previously planned.

  He had to decide if the H.R.F. would be a worthy ally or a hindrance in the fight against the Albireons. The H.R.F. wanted to know details about the inside of the base and how they could launch a strike at it. It had seemed a simple enough idea to help them. It would be a disaster to proceed with an attack if they were not prepared.

  The covered van they were riding in drove into a stone outbuilding and stopped. Hester frowned and looked at him. A shiver went through her. Her fear became his as it coursed through him. She wasn’t comfortable with this arrangement. He sent her reassurance. The H.R.F. were taking the necessary precautions against an enemy that was better equipped and unrelenting in their pursuit.

  “The building protects us from detection and airborne surveillance.” He leaned close so that only Hester could hear his words.

  She straightened her shoulders and stepped out of the vehicle.

  “We’ll take the tunnels now.” Barton’s voice was low. “That’s the only way to join the rest of the group.”

  Captain Barton motioned them to follow the older associate, who they now knew was called Simon. The younger man, Robert, reversed the van and drove away. Eogan watched him as he turned onto the road and headed in the direction of the city. If there was a tracking device on the vehicle, they would monitor him. He reached for Hester’s hand and brought her close. Everything about this place spoke subterfuge and secrecy.

  “Are you certain you want to do this?” Eogan asked.

  “What choice do we have?” She looked up at him. “This is our only option if the human race is going to be destroyed.”

  “You don’t have to go with me.” Eogan couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to Hester. “I will take you to the other Hunters and come back and help with the battle.”

  Hester shook her head. “I’m continuing with you.”

  “Once we meet with these people, you will be labeled a rebel.” Eogan’s tone was serious. He had to impress upon her the consequences of her staying.

  “The Albireons have bugged my backpack, held me captive, and threatened me with torture. I think they already consider me a dissident. At least now I’ll have earned the title.” Hester’s voice was dry.

  “You’ll be a fugitive forever.”

  “Isn’t that what you are?” Hester glanced up at him. “If we’re bonded, then whatever happens to you, affects me.”

  Eogan clenched his jaw and nodded.

  She turned away and followed Simon.

  Eogan couldn’t fault her reasoning. He was already a fugitive, and was being hunted by the Albireons and the humans who worked for them. The only thing that could change the reality of his future was to defeat the Albireons. For Hester’s sake, he would succeed.

  He joined her at the entrance to the tunnel and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

  There was a long wooden ladder that had been lowered into a round cement tube that led underground. No bottom was visible. Eogan went first so that he could guide Hester’s feet on the rungs. When they reached the end of the ladder, battery powered lights flickered a stream of illumination on the area. The lights were placed at intervals throughout a narrow, winding tunnel. He could make out the stone walls and dirt floor that they were traveling over. The ground slanted downward, sending them even deeper underground.

  “I will be with you always,” Eogan whispered into Hester’s mind. She looked up at him and smiled. Their bond was strengthening.

  After ten minutes, the tunnel opened up into a wide space. From this central area other tunnels branched out in five different directions. It was an underground labyrinth. Eogan glanced over his shoulder. Behind him the tunnel they had come through was now dark. His eyesight was improved on Earth and he could make out the faint shadows of people standing just beyond the other tunnel entrances. His guess was that they were armed and waiting for them to make a false move.

  “Welcome.” A vibrant male’s voice greeted them from the darkness. “I’m glad that Barton was able to persuade you to visit.”

  Eogan crossed his arms. “You have need of our help.”

  “It would be appreciated.” A man who was about forty years old came into the light. He was tall with graying black hair, and a long scar down the right side of his cheek. “I am Hank Davis.”

  Hank held his hand out to him. He took it after a few seconds. “I am Eogan.”

  “I’ve heard of you.” Hank’s eyes narrowed. “There were reports that the Security Division had a specialized killer.”

  “I was bred and trained to be a warrior.”

  “There were also rumors that you were not from Earth.” Hank’s voice became harsh. “If that is the case, why should we trust you?”

  “I think it’s more a question of me trusting you.” Eogan lifted an eyebrow. “Your men approached us and asked for help.”

  Hank nodded. “You’re right. Could you at least tell me why you’d be willing to aid us?”

  “I crash landed here when I was fifteen and was captured by the Albireon allies. They have held me in captivity since then. I have no love for them.”

  Hank considered this for a few seconds and then turned to Hester. “And you must be Dr. Adams. Steve Jackson mentioned that you had been in communication with him. I hope you found everything you were searching for.”

  “It’s been an enlightening experience.” Hester didn’t bother to hide her sarcasm. “Steve didn’t tell me that he was connected with the H.R.F. I take it you are in charge?”

  “I started the Human Resistance Force and lead it. Steve contacted us via the internet. He’d found evidence of aliens on the planet and was meeting with you to discuss this further.”

  “Your communications are being monitored,” Eogan said. “There was an ambush set up for Hester and her companions. Steve and Franklin are in Incirlik still. They abandoned her to their attackers.”

  Hank sighed. “Franklin is one of our newer recruits. I’m afraid he isn’t well trained.”

  “He has no honor.”

  Hank gave a crooked smile. “That’s a term I haven’t heard in many years. Unfortunately, we have to accept everyone who comes to us. There is a great need for people who believe us and are willing to fight the Albireon threat.”

  “How do you know about the Albireons?” Eogan’s eyes narrowed. “Few people alive have seen them.”

  “Yet here we both are.” Hank sighed. “I used to work for Albirsion Corporation. I was a Major in the US Marines and when I retired, I accepted a job with what I thought was a private security group. Little did I realize I was working for aliens.”

  “You killed for them.” Eogan’s words were a statement.

  “As did you.”

  “I had implants and tracking devices.”

  “And I thought that I was helping my country. When I realized what was happening, I escaped. I’ve been on the run ever since.”

  “So we are both men of honor who were deceived.”

  Hank tilted his head. “The question is, are you willing to help us defeat them?”

  Eogan glanced around at the other people who had gathered. There were about fifty, men and wome
n, most of them carrying weapons. He hoped more were waiting in the tunnels than he could see, because they would need more soldiers to overtake a military base.

  “I am a Hunter, an elite warrior, sworn to uphold the Sacred Code. The Albireons have broken this code, and the penalty is death. I and my fellow Hunters will fight to defeat them and rid this planet of their presence.”

  There was silence after Eogan’s statement.

  Hank Davis was the first to recover. “There are more of you on Earth?”

  Eogan nodded. “Others have crashed here and have been working to bring justice to those who ask for it. They are aware of the Albireon threat and have taken measures to sabotage their operations.”

  “What actions?” Hank’s voice sounded dazed.

  “They have infiltrated their financial stranglehold on this planet’s banks. From there they will be able to penetrate their communications and computer networks.”

  “What else have they planned?”

  “Once I join with them, we will start to destroy their hiding places.” Eogan shrugged. “Albireons have to be hunted and exterminated.”

  “Will they work with us?” Hank motioned to the people surrounding him. “Or do we run two separate campaigns against them?”

  “It is good that humans are prepared to fight.”

  “So we should set up a coordinated effort.”

  “That is the usual approach.” Eogan crossed his arm. “I have informed Ardal, the leader of the Hunters, of your existence.”

  “How many Hunters can we count on?”

  “Enough to do the job,” Eogan said. “We are in hiding from the Albireons and other human agencies. It would be foolish of me to give these details to people I have just met.”

  Hank hesitated then nodded. “You’re right. On the same note, I am unprepared to give the details of our network.”

  “Understood.” Eogan glanced behind his shoulder. “You can tell the people you have hiding that it is unnecessary to hold their weapons on us.”

  Hank inhaled a sharp breath. “You can see them?”

  “I can also sense their presence. It is a logical strategy to ensure that we were not going to attack, but it is distressing my pair bond and I cannot allow that.”

  Hester took a step closer to him.

  Hank glanced over at her. “We’re all uncomfortable. Don’t tell me you’re going to attack us just because Dr. Adams is anxious.”

  “I have sworn with the sacred oath of a Hunter that I will protect her. Have them stand down.”

  Hank shrugged. “Get used to it.”

  Eogan’s eyes narrowed. This human did not understand the full significance of the pair bond, and there was no point wasting time explaining. He pushed Hester behind him and grabbed the man on his right. He disarmed him and then used his captive as a shield as he moved back against a wall and swung the assault rifle in an arc. If he’d been firing, everyone in the hall would have been dead.

  His movement was so quick that none of them had time to react.

  “I could have killed all of you. Instead, I’ve shown you the worth of my vow.”

  Hank’s reach for his firearm was stopped midair.

  A muscle twitched in his jaw.

  “I have no reason to trust you.” Eogan trained the gun on Hank. “I’ve been imprisoned and controlled by humans just like you, except they’re still working with the Albireons. I will not hesitate to kill in order to protect Hester.”

  Eogan watched as Hank struggled with the decision of whether to trust him. He couldn’t blame the man for being cautious. He didn’t fully trust H.R.F. either. Albireons had altered his implants and held him prisoner, but humans had been responsible for the killing missions that he’d been forced to do. It had also been humans that had captured him when he was fifteen.

  After a few seconds, Hank nodded. “Lower your weapons and come out.”

  Ten men, all armed with machine guns, exited the tunnels surrounding them.

  “I won’t be treated like a prisoner if we are to work together.” Eogan’s voice was harsh. “Remember, you came to me for help.”

  Hank held up his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Calm down. Our weapons are away. There is no need to be suspicious.”

  Eogan released the man he was holding and lowered the weapon.

  He took a step away from the wall and Hester walked out from behind him. She straightened her jacket and put the strap of her pack over one of her shoulders before grinning up at him. His heart eased. She hadn’t been upset by his actions. Instead, they had seemed to reassure her that he was in control of this situation and no harm would come to her.

  “We talk as equals, or this discussion is over.” This was the only way that Ardal and the other Hunters would consider allying themselves with these people.

  “As you wish.” Hank gave him a lopsided grin. “The rumors about your abilities weren’t even close to the truth.”

  “We are the best warriors in the universe. We are brothers and to make an enemy of one of us is a mistake.”

  “I can see that.” Hank looked at Hester. “I meant no disrespect by my comments.”

  “Eogan takes his protection very seriously.” Hester said. “He saved my life when Steve and Franklin ran. I didn’t ask to be involved in this. I wanted to explore Gobekli Tepe and maybe have a few crazy discussions about its possible link to aliens. I didn’t plan to be taking part in a battle against an alien race.”

  “None of us planned it.” Hank motioned for the lights in the tunnels to be turned on. “This is a war that has been thrust upon us.”

  “Just as long as you remember that Eogan is not the enemy. Neither of us needs to be here.”

  A jolt of surprise shot through Eogan.

  Hester was shielding him.

  Never in forty-five years, had anyone protected him. It was a new and exhilarating experience. A Hunter didn’t need or expect praise when they did their duty. Hester’s approval and defense of him sent a thrill of satisfaction throughout him. It energized him. For the first time, he was eager to do battle. The sooner he defeated the Albireons, the quicker he could get Hester to safety.

  “The easiest way to get onto the base is to be captured.” Eogan handed Hank the gun he had confiscated. “My suggestion is that you turn me in.”

  Chapter 19

  Hester’s breath caught in her throat.

  She couldn’t lose Eogan. She’d only just found him.

  “That’s too dangerous.” She grabbed his arm. “They’ll kill you.”

  “They can try.” Eogan lowered his voice. “I will be prepared.”

  “You two might want to discuss this first.” Hank’s voice was dry.

  “There is no need. I will be the entry onto the base.” Eogan motioned to the others. “After that, you would have to open the gates for your fellow H.R.F. members. Together, we will destroy the Albireons.”

  Eogan’s words were cutting a hole in her heart. He was deliberately putting himself in danger and relying on the H.R.F. to free him. She started to shake at the thought of losing Eogan. He was trained to put his life on the line, but she couldn’t let him go. What if he didn’t return? She couldn’t tolerate even the thought of never seeing him again.

  “I will be with you always, even in death.” The words were a soft whisper inside her mind. “There is no need to fear. Trust me.”

  Hester took a deep breath and released her anxiety. She had to believe Eogan knew what he was doing. He had saved her from the impossible already. He would be able to defeat the Albireons.

  Hank nodded. “I like the idea. We have to work out the details.”

  “A night attack would be best.”

  Hank looked down at the watch on his wrist. “That gives us another twelve hours to prepare. It will be difficult to coordinate everything in that time.”

  “Eogan needs rest.” Hester spoke in a fierce voice. Eogan looked at her with surprise, but she didn’t care. “You were up all night standing guard
. To be in top form, you need sleep.”

  She lifted her chin and stared back at him.

  A second later he nodded. “I will rest and then we’ll discuss the plans your team has put in place.”

  “Agreed.”

  “First I must give these to Captain Barton.” Eogan reached into the top pocket of his jacket and pulled out a stack of patches. “These are the name tags of the fallen soldiers from the Akcakale raid.”

  Barton took them from Eogan. “Thank you. I will inform their families.”

  Eogan turned to Hank. “We are ready.”

  Hank motioned to one of the women beside him. “Lena will show you to a room where you can sleep. We’ll talk later.”

  Lena looked to be in her late thirties, with long, brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She wore green, military fatigues, a tan t-shirt, and a camouflage vest. Her hazel eyes were alert and wary as she holstered her pistol. She took them down one of the side tunnels which opened up every twenty feet to smaller rooms. She stopped after about five minutes and ushered them into a cave-like enclosure. It had several large cushions on the ground and a couple of folded, gray blankets on top of them.

  “I’ll be back with some food and water.” She pulled a curtain across the entrance giving them the illusion of privacy.

  Hester was about to speak when Eogan put a finger to his lips. He reached a hand up and started to feel along the walls of the oval room. He patted down the hardened, earth walls until he had covered every inch of the room. He did the same to the floor before he shook out the cushions. When he was satisfied that they weren’t being bugged, he held his arms open to her.

  She sank into his embrace and let his nearness ease her. Serenity replaced tension. So much had happened since yesterday that it seemed more like a dream than reality. Eogan was the only thing that grounded her. She luxuriated in the calm and comfort his presence gave her.

  Lena came back a few minutes later with some water, bread, and hard cheese. It was simple and delicious. She and Eogan sat on the ground and ate in silence. Too much had happened between them for mundane chit-chat. Hester just wanted to enjoy her first meal with Eogan in peace. There would be time to talk afterwards.