by Caleb Selby
Fedrin shook his head in wonder. “Its beautiful Trab, simply beautiful.”
Trab nodded and before Etana or Fedrin could react, brought the dagger to his opposite wrist and severed his hand in one smooth action. As the blade effortlessly parted Trab’s flesh and bone, it seemed to let off a high pitch wail as if saddened by what it had done. A glowing blood-like substance seeped out onto Trab’s chest and covered the blade.
“Take this,” said Trab, handing Fedrin the severed hand.
Fedrin looked at the hand in disgust before reluctantly reaching out and taking the appendage, unsure of what to do with it.
“The garden you seek is hidden within a perception barrier designed to keep the Grimsin Tree location secret,” said Trab passionately. “The barrier can only be penetrated by a Sion together with one of your race. Since I fear none of my kind will remain by the time you get there, my hand will allow you access.”
Etana looked intently at Trab. “If the garden can only be entered with a Sion’s help, then we should have nothing to fear, right?”
Trab shook his head. “I’m sure the enemy has their ways to circumvent our efforts. Once they find out where the garden is, our perception barrier will only delay them at best.”
Fedrin nodded slowly as he wrapped the hand in a torn piece of Trab’s robe that lay nearby.
“Take this too...carefully,” said Trab, slowly handing Fedrin the dagger and for a moment holding it at the same time Fedrin did. “I don’t want it to think you took it from me. It must know that I gave it freely,” said Trab and slowly released his grasp on the dagger. “May it serve you as well, as it has served me.”
Fedrin took the dagger from Trab reverently. As his hand closed around the hilt, the dagger seemed to hum unsteadily, seeming to Fedrin as if unsure of its new owner.
“Memory blades can be fussy but it’ll warm up to you,” said Trab reassuringly. “Just give it time.”
“Memory blades?” asked Etana.
“Weapons with personalities,” answered Trab succinctly. “Unfortunately the art of crafting memory blades has been lost for many years. My father was among the last that knew the secrets. This blade is very special because it has the memory pattern of my mother.”
“Hence her hair imbedded in the shaft?” remarked Etana.
Trab nodded. “Never has anyone loved so completely and selflessly as my mother. She died during an Unmentionable raid on one of our worlds, saving me from certain death, enduring protective love in every cell of her being. My father thus took a lock of her hair prior to her entombment and used it to forge the last memory blade he would ever make and gave it to me when I was old enough. It has been a source of protection and strength for me ever since. Now I give it to you.”
Fedrin looked at the dagger with profound respect and then back to Trab. “I only hope that I can be worthy of such a gift.”
“I wouldn’t have given it to you if I wasn’t sure of that,” Trab answered sincerely. “Now my time is short but there is one more thing I must say before I leave this mortal realm.”
“What is that?” asked Fedrin, looking into Trab’s fast dimming eyes.
“I...I am sorry,” said Trab just above a whisper. “I’m sorry we lied to your people so long ago. I’m sorry we moved you away from your home under false pretenses. I’m sorry we destroyed your home planet given to you by Yova. My ancestors only...only ever had the best of intentions. I...I promise you.”
Fedrin placed a hand on Trab’s shoulder. “All is forgiven, Trab. Please don’t take these regrets with you. Let them go.”
“Rest, Trab,” Etana added after Fedrin had spoken. “You have given so much and now it is your time to rest.”
Trab smiled and nodded just as the last remnants of his glow completely dissipated and his eyes slowly closed for the last time.
With tears in her own eyes, Etana reached down and covered Trab’s face with his black shroud once more. The two sat there for a brief moment of silence out of respect for the great Sion that had done so much for them and asked so little in return. Finally, Fedrin reached over to Etana and took her hand firmly. “Time to go,” he said. Etana nodded silently and the two stood to their feet.
CHAPTER 4
Journey in Shadows
The darkened streets of Kespa were quiet and deserted. Debris, small fires, and all but completely devoured bodies littered the city. All were testament to the complete panic the populous had felt in the wake of the planetary defenses’ hasty and utter collapse under the oppressive weight of the Krohn scourge.
Just a few blocks away, the darkened skyscrapers of Larep reached toward the stars above as if yearning to once again adorn themselves with lights of their own to shine as beacons in the night. Their unlit, ominous structures, empty floors, and vacant suites served as a grim reminder that the Namuh civilization was in grave peril. Only a miracle could save her now and even that might not be enough.
Reesa stood at an open window of her late cousin’s sixth floor apartment. The night air was brisk but she paid it no heed. She gazed through a pair of optic enhancers intently, studying the menacing streets and shadow filled alcoves as they prepared to embark into the unknown. An occasional darkened form would dart here and there in the blackness but Reesa couldn’t tell if they were actual Krohns or just her jittery imagination.
“I don’t like our plan,” commented Darion from behind.
Reesa shook her head, her gaze not leaving the street below. “Neither do I. But I think we are out of options. You need to get to the Research Center’s deep space transmitter to contact Fedrin and get the Clear Skies missile program. There is no other way to get it.”
Darion shook his head. “And you need to get to Professor Jabel in the bunkers and keep him safe. Without him, the Clear Skies program I get will be useless.”
“This would have been easier with Kebbs,” remarked Reesa, her voice cracking.
Darion put a hand on her shoulder. “I miss him too.”
Suddenly a loud crash of pots and pans sounded out directly beneath them causing them both to jump. They exchanged anxious looks with each other and then nodded knowingly.
“It’s time to go,” said Darion directly as he latched a small pack to a climbing harness he had retrieved from Kebbs’ room.
Reesa nodded and glanced at the barricade they had erected in front of the apartment door. She then looked intently at Darion. “You sure about this?”
Darion smiled as he smoothed his hair down with his hand before fitting on Kebbs’ old rock climbing helmet. “No, but I’m sure I don’t want to be here when the Krohns break in.”
Reesa shrugged. “I haven’t propelled since my basic training for Asar Securities.”
“There’s nothing to it,” said Darion reassuringly. “Just let go of a few feet of rope at a time and let the pulley guide you down to each foot hold. You’ll be down in no time.”
“Down in no time,” she said after handing Darion a reinforced rope. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Darion fixed the golden adapter to his shining lydeg pistol and slipped it into a holster on his hip. He then slung an assault rifle he had found in Kebbs’ personal arsenal over his shoulder and tightened the strap so it wouldn’t swing back and forth during his descent. He then accepted the rope from Reesa, taking hold of her hands as he did. He affectionately squeezed her hands and she replied in kind. Tears started to build in her eyes, but she regained control when Darion shook his head.
“None of that right now,” he said. “We need our wits about us. Emotions will just complicate this.”
She closed her eyes and nodded before releasing her hold on Darion’s hands and took a step back and looked him over. “You got everything? Water bottles, tele-link, access codes, weapons?”
Darion held up his hands and smiled. “I got everything I need Reesa. Don’t worry.”
Reesa nodded as she too secured a makeshift backpack to her own climbing harness and fit two matching pistols in holsters secured to her thighs. She then tied her hair back and fit an earpiece over her right ear. She tapped a button on her wrist tele-link pairing the device with the earpiece.
“Don’t waste anytime after I’m down,” said Darion as he neared the window, rope in hand. “Follow down quickly. I’ll cover you on your way down.”
“I think it’s now or never,” Reesa said after hearing yet another crash as the Krohns explored room after room in the level below them.
Darion shook his head. “Ok, here goes nothing,” he said as he straddled the windowsill. He glanced across the room where the rope was tied securely to a beam. He pulled on it until it was taunt and then slowly eased out of the window.
“Be careful,” Reesa said over the transmitter as she watched her companion begin the arduous descent.
“I’m touched you care,” Darion said between grunting exhalations.
“Don’t be,” Reesa retorted. “You still owe me a dinner at the Crown and I don’t want anything like you dying to ruin that.”
Darion smiled. “Maybe we could have your parents join us?”
Reesa’s smile vanished. “Don’t kid, Darion.”
“I’m not,” Darion said as he continually propelled himself downward. “I can cash out my pension early and move them back here. That’s assuming of course the banks are still around when I want to make a withdrawal.”
Reesa was speechless for several moments. “You’d do that for me?”
A pause. “We could sure try.”
If the door hadn’t suddenly burst open and several tall, imposing reptiles bent on eating whatever they could find hadn’t barged in, Reesa would have cried. Under the circumstances, crying could wait. Surprise was Reesa’s only saving grace from the Krohn assault. The lizards had crashed into hundreds of rooms over the last several hours and other than a small dog hurriedly left behind by its owners, nothing of interest had been in any of the rooms. As such, the Krohn scouts had their weapons on their backs and not in their clawed hands, a fatal error. Reesa sharply turned and before the first Krohn had fully crossed the threshold, she had drawn out both pistols and wielded them each with deadly accuracy, felling the first two Krohns with ease.
“What’s going on?” Darion asked with alarm upon reaching the ground.
“Oh nothing,” said Reesa calmly as she cowered in an alcove, occasionally peering around the corner. “Just taking care of a minor infestation.”
Darion shook his head. “Should I come back up?” he asked, grabbing hold of the rope and preparing once again to ascend, hoping his out of shape arms could handle the much harder task of climbing up the rope. She didn’t have to answer. The rope which he was still holding, suddenly went limp. A moment later it fell in a lose coil at his feet.
“Reesa!” he yelled in panic and then remembered his vulnerable surroundings and quieted down. “Reesa!” he whispered hoarsely. “What is going on?”
A silent moment followed that seemed to last for hours. “I’m fine,” she finally said. “A stray shot cut the rope though.”
“I see that,” remarked Darion as he kicked the rope into the shadows. “Should I come up?”
“No. We’ve lost enough time already. You start heading toward the transportation center like we discussed. I’ll try my luck with the stairs.”
“Be careful, Reesa. There are probably Krohns crawling through that building.”
“I’m sure there are,” said Reesa as she removed her climbing harness and made her way for the door.
“I owe you a dinner,” said Darion. “I pay my debts!”
Reesa smiled. “I’m cutting the link now. Can’t be talking while I’m in here. I’ll see you soon.”
“Give Professor Jabel my regards,” said Darion.
“You say hello to Fedrin for me,” answered Reesa before cutting the link.
The moment the link ended, Darion drew his assault weapon from off of his back, went down on his stomach and looked through the scope toward the direction of his journey. He slowly scanned back and forth, up and down and then repeated. Up the street and across the street were clear. He was nervous about all the buildings and their countless windows. If Krohns were playing lookout from any one of them, Darion would have no chance, as he would be an easy target for even a novice sniper. There was no way to counter them if they were there, so he tried not to think about it.
A small group of Krohns was some distance down the street in the opposite direction but they seemed to be taking their time. Had he wanted, Darion could have dropped several of them with his high-powered weapon but doing so would attract attention that neither he nor Reesa needed. Other than the small group, the area seemed clear. Darion slowly got up off of his stomach and crouched on all fours. He replaced his rifle on his back and withdrew his pistol from the holster, preferring the more nimble weapon for his covert movements. He waited as long as he dared, and then scampered across to the other side of the street on both feet and one hand, with the other holding the pistol tightly, ready and wiling to fire should he need to.
He was halfway across the street when he suddenly heard the all too familiar sound of a Krohn roar. He couldn’t tell for sure which direction it had come from or even it was intended for him but he was taking no chances. He stood up and ran full speed until he reached the safety of the shadows on the other side of the street where he dove into a pile of rubble. He found a discarded carpet remnant and an empty storage crate to one side of him and did his best to cover himself without crippling his fighting ability more than he had to. He lay perfectly still, panting for breath as quietly as he could. He could hear his heart beating and was sure that everyone on the street could too.
It was several minutes before he moved again. When he did move, it was slow and deliberate. He was fairly sure at this point that the roar he had heard was not directed at him but it mattered little at this point as the Krohn patrol was now very near. Through a small opening of the folded carpet Darion watched as the reptilian killing machines approached. He suddenly wished his assault-rifle was in his hands instead of the underpowered handgun he now clutched; too late to change that now. He lay still and waited.
The Krohns casually walked over to the pile of junk that Darion had dove into, all the while speaking to each other in a series of hisses and clicks. The use of their mouths and forked tongues sounded more like a jumbled transmission than a method of communication. Darion had never heard a Krohn speak so clearly before and it made his blood run almost colder than theirs.
One of the Krohns nudged the pile of junk with its long, slender, rod-like weapon halfheartedly. The creature was so close that Darion couldn’t help but hit him if he chose to. He wisely held back, knowing that he could not take on both of them with his weaker weapon in hand. Patience was the only option for now.
The other Krohn stuck his long nose into the pile, and then sniffed deeply. Darion gripped his weapon dearly but kept telling himself to play it cool. Suddenly a sickening realization swept over Darion. With the adapter ring attached to his pistol, it was as useless as an overpowered flashlight against the Krohns! He tried to reach the muzzle to twist off the ring but he couldn’t reach it without moving his other arm which would surely be noticed by the Krohns. He felt sick to his stomach. Suddenly, the other Krohn said something in a rapid excited series of clicks ending with a long hiss. Darion stopped breathing, preparing for the worst. But to his surprise, the Krohn sniffing the pile quickly pulled his long snout out and glanced at the other and then down the street.
Darion couldn’t see what had attracted their attention but assumed it wasn’t good. He was right.
The two Krohns that had been examining the rubbish pile, stood at attention as a group of three others passed by. One of them had a large, crescent like pendant on hi
s chest and was apparently ranked higher than the others. The Krohn with the pendant slowly walked over to the two Krohns at attention, leaving his lieutenants behind. He walked around the Krohns hissing and clicking his reptilian tongue at a furious pace. His long tail was waving wildly behind him as he walked. He made three circles around the two others, never stopping the rapid clicks and hisses.
Darion didn’t know what to think. Should he run, should he fight, should he wait? The uncertainty was killing him.
The ranking Krohn made one more half circle around the two when his tail suddenly lashed out at one of them, running him through the gut and sending him to the ground. The Krohn wailed out in pain but refused to run away or defend itself. The blood covered tail of the ranking assailant pulled back out as if it had a mind of its own and then went back in. Over and over again the sharp appendage went into the helpless Krohn until his bloody body stopped all movement. The Krohn that had been his partner stood at perfect attention throughout the impromptu execution, ignoring the blood that splattered onto his own body.
When it was done all four Krohns left the scene in good order as if nothing had happened.
Darion waited an extra minute or two before cautiously lifting his head and looking around. He let out a sigh of relief when he realized his immediate threat had gone. Without delay his removed his adapter and thrust it into his pocket, rationalizing that he was more likely to encounter Krohns tonight than the horrid shape-shifting monsters the adapter was intended for.
He was just about to move down the street again but stopped when he saw the disemboweled carcass of the Krohn soldier lying at his feet. “What did you do to deserve that?” he asked himself as he stepped over the body. He then turned up the main street to begin the painstakingly slow and dangerous trek to Larep.
“I’m out,” whispered Reesa several minutes later, her voice startling Darion.
“Take it easy out here,” he whispered back. “The Krohns are acting weird.”