Ricket moved between the two. “It’s a hopper. He won’t harm you, I promise.”
The hopper stared back at Gaddy. His muscled legs tensed, his long claws protruded, looking ready to strike. His tongue slithered in and out in several rapid flicks.
“Hey, knock it off!” Brian barked, admonishing the green beast. “She’s not here to hurt you.”
Brian then looked back to Gaddy. “Lower that gun or he’ll kill you where you stand. Do it now!”
“I’ve been chased by creatures like that for two weeks. They’re monsters.”
“This isn’t a Serapin. Not even close. Put the gun down.”
She lowered the gun and reluctantly placed it into Brian’s outstretched hand.
“Sorry. I’ve lost some important people in my life over the last few days. I guess I overreacted.”
The hopper seemed to relax and made a series of clicking noises. She watched as Brian faced the hopper, responding back in clicks and other sounds.
“You talk to it?”
“Yeah, I guess I do, kind of.”
Gaddy looked at the hopper again but this time she made an effort to be calm. “I’m sorry. I overreacted.”
The hopper turned his head, looking first at Brian, then back at Gaddy.
“Let’s move it along here,” came the baritone voice of Admiral Reynolds from the far end of the corridor. He gestured for Ricket and Gaddy to hurry up. Ricket waited and let Gaddy enter the captain’s ready room first. She found the admiral sitting at the head of the table reviewing a virtual notepad. As they took their seats, the admiral looked up.
“Hello, Gaddy. How are you holding up after your HAB 12 ordeal?”
“The MediPod helped; in fact, I’ve never felt better.”
She assessed the older man with the salt and pepper hair. He looked similar to Captain Reynolds, also handsome in a human kind of way. She had the feeling she could trust this man. She hoped so.
“That’s good,” the admiral said. “So let’s get down to business. I want you to go over with me what is going on in the Craing worlds. You mentioned Caldurian vessels?”
“I have something for you, Admiral.” She reached into her pocket and brought forth a small cube. “Many would consider me a traitor for handing this over to you … the governmental regime, the military.”
“What is it?” the admiral asked, looking at the object lying in the palm of her hand. The cube was small—no larger than a square inch per side, each of which was translucent and pulsated with intricate symbols and images, but nothing that made any sense to the admiral.
Excitedly she replied, “This is what—” Tears welled up in her eyes. Swallowing hard, she continued: “This is what so many people died acquiring, and then protecting. My friends Shakin, Pampel, Horsh and, most recently, Stipp all died in HAB 12 helping me bring this to you. It was Horsh who hacked the StratNET.”
Ricket held up a hand. “Wait, what is that?”
“It’s the empire’s internal subnet. The only ones who had access to it are at the overlord level or higher, and high-ranking military officers. The StratNET’s never been hacked; that is, before Horsh cracked it three weeks ago.”
The admiral took the cube from her and continued to inspect it. He looked at Ricket. “We can read this?”
“Yes, sir, I’m familiar with the standardized Craing OS—their file structure is actually quite similar to that of the Alliance,” Ricket replied.
“Gaddy, can you tell me what’s on it?”
“You mean specifically?” She looked confused and shook her head. “I don’t know … exactly. Horsh repeated the phrase ‘oh my God’ about a thousand times when he saw it, though. At the minimum it will have military assets, Craing plans and strategies, information any of us would have been executed for if found in our possession.”
The admiral raised his eyebrows, reassessing the importance of the small device.
“Were the Craing alerted that their network had been hacked? Do they know you have this thing?”
“Not at the time … not when we first set off through HAB 12. I don’t know about now. Perhaps.”
The admiral looked at the small cube again and then back at Gaddy. “First of all, you need to know that we—I—understand the sacrifice you and your friends have made to get this cube to us. Thank you. I also know you’ve done this in order to bring changes to the Craing worlds. Someday, you’ll be remembered as a hero. Know that we’ll do everything we possibly can to assist you.”
He handed the cube to Ricket. “I need that converted as soon as possible. How long do you think it will take?”
“Two hours, sir,” Ricket replied.
Gaddy watched the admiral’s face. It seemed evident he was aware that what this small cube contained was extremely important. She watched Ricket place the cube in his pocket and wondered if she’d just handed over the fate of her people to the Alliance, just another empire, or truly opened the door to Craing independence—to freedom.
The admiral stood. “Let’s meet back here in two hours.”
Chapter 24
Apparently Bristol had been flung, kicked, or dragged fifty yards down the dirt road. His response to the buffalo stampede was similar to Dira’s, although Bristol used somewhat more colorful language. Billy helped Bristol to his feet and retrieved the satchel, which contained the equipment Bristol used to hone in on the drones.
Jason, joining Bristol and Billy, said, “Best check it all over. Make sure it’s still operational.”
Bristol tore a clump of dirt from the top of his visor and turned in the direction the buffaloes had gone. “Not one of those furry fucking beasts missed the opportunity to step on me—and all you’re worried about is the equipment?”
Jason kept his expression passive and didn’t answer.
“Terrific. Just give it to me,” Bristol said, ripping it out of Billy’s hands. He went down on one knee, opened the satchel, and brought the familiar holo-display to life. It took several minutes, but the icon briefly appeared, flickered, and then was gone.
“Satisfied? The drone is still where it was before. Probably up one of those dino-gargantuous’s ass. And that will be your problem.”
Billy and Jason headed back toward the group. The SEALs had reassembled and the rhinos, who’d waited for them to head out first, were bringing up the rear. Still walking, Jason said over his shoulder, “Come on, front and center, Bristol.”
Jason was the first to re-cross over into the 1876 time realm. The ground was trampled where the herd of buffalo had broken through into the time realm of the 1950s. A half-mile to their right was the Bighorn River. To their left, in the distance, was an Indian encampment. Dark smoke billowed up in the air above large teepees covered in animal hides.
“Let’s try to stay out of sight,” Jason said. “There’s a line of trees by the river. Let’s do our best to blend in.”
Billy signaled for two SEALs, Rizzo and Scotty, to run ahead with him.
Dira asked Jason, “Where are they going?”
“Reconnaissance. Making sure there aren’t any more surprises up ahead.”
By the time Jason led the team to the trees, Bristol was lagging. Dira saw Jason’s expression and pulled Bristol by the arm.
“Come on, grandpa, you have to keep up.”
“Hey. Hands off, missy. My feet hurt.”
Jason opened his visor and felt cool air on his face. He heard the sounds of the river rushing by and saw the largest rainbow trout he’d ever seen swimming near the shoreline. Jason was being hailed.
“Go for Cap. What’s up, Billy?”
“You’ll want to move ahead slow. We’re, um … There’s a bear up ahead of you.”
“Let me guess … A grizzly?”
“That and a couple of Native American females.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’ll see us in a few. Just … take it slow. Don’t want to startle the bears.”
“So it’s more than one bear?�
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“Yes, I see you. Look to your left,” Billy said.
Jason saw the three SEALs thirty yards ahead on his left. To his right, at the water’s edge, were two Indian females ankle-deep in the river; one had her arm protectively placed around the smaller girl’s shoulder. Between the SEALs and the young females was a family of grizzly bears—a mother bear, easily eight feet tall, stood upright next to her three medium-sized adolescent cubs.
Jason held up a hand to hold back the team behind him. The mother bear was already looking in their direction, undoubtedly curious about the rhinos. While everyone’s eyes were on the mother bear, it was the largest of the cubs that sprang to the river’s edge, tearing the smaller, younger girl away from the clutches of the older girl. Both cub and girl went into the river. The water turned red and in a blur the girl’s flesh was ripped and torn. Her body went slack and submerged beneath the surface. Guns came up, poised to fire.
“Hold on!” Jason yelled.
The bears were now moving toward the other girl. She was sobbing and holding her arms snugly around her body.
“Cap, I can get to her,” Rizzo said.
“Go ahead, Rizzo. Real careful like, though.”
Two quick steps and Rizzo leapt, catching both the girl and bears off-guard. Rizzo and the girl went into the river, where the fast-moving current pulled them away from the others. But the too-strong current was quickly moving them along past Jason. Two rhinos, standing at the rear, rushed forward and waded into the water. They barely had sufficient time to grab them both and pull them to shore.
Up ahead, the family of bears quickly retreated into the trees. Dira was on the move toward the river’s edge, where the mauled girl had gone under. She tried to pull the girl’s body from the water, but the current kept a strong hold on her. Jason rushed to Dira’s side and, getting a hand on the girl’s arm, pulled. What was left of her arm came free in his grasp. Once released, the lifeless body proceeded to float down the river.
Jason let go of the mangled arm and watched it disappear beneath the surface. Dira was already running down the bank of the river toward the other girl. He heard her voice over his NanoCom.
“Jason, bring my bags!”
Jason looked around and saw two small medical packs at the river’s edge. He retrieved the bags and headed downriver.
Dira crouched down to attend to the girl. Rizzo sat beside her. He had his visor up and was saying something. As Jason approached he realized the girl was actually older than he’d first thought, perhaps in her early twenties. She was watching Dira as she pulled several items from her bag and proceeded to clean and dress her wounds.
“How is she?” Jason asked.
“She’s fine for the time being, but she’ll need to spend some time in a MediPod.”
Jason shook his head. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
The young woman was talking fast, as if pleading. Jason noticed she never let go of Rizzo’s arm and had put all her attention on him. Rizzo nodded but eventually gently shushed her.
“Cap, her name is Chameli. She’s obviously very scared.”
“That’s understandable, Rizzo.”
“It’s more than the bears, Cap. She’s not of this tribe. She’s not Lakota Sioux. She and the younger girl are both Cheyenne. Apparently they were left here. Meant to be taken. I don’t really know the particulars.”
Jason watched Dira finish up bandaging. The young woman was beautiful: her raven black hair fell to her waist, and her brown eyes were large and expressive. She started to talk fast again—trying to make some kind of point. Jason’s nano-devices began to translate her words.
He held up a hand to her and nodded. “Everything will be all right. You are safe. Do you understand? You are safe.”
Jason realized with the aid of his nano-devices, he’d just spoken Cheyenne. Understanding him, she nodded, and seemed to relax somewhat.
Jason stood up and looked past the trees toward the distant Indian encampment. A group of warriors on horseback were riding into the far side of the camp.
“Won’t be long before we’re discovered here,” Billy said.
Dira stood and looked up at Jason. “I think we should bring her with us.”
Jason shook his head, feeling unsure. “It could be several days before we’re done with this mission. Too many dangers ahead—”
Rizzo smiled and interjected, “But don’t forget, Cap, what tomorrow brings. Custer’s Last Stand. Hundreds will die, many of them Native Americans. I don’t think her odds are any better staying here. And remember, this isn’t even her own tribe.”
Jason knelt down again next to Chameli. “What do you want to do, Chameli? Before you answer, listen to me. We are not from your time. There will be things you don’t understand. Things that you will think are magic … unnatural. I believe you are better off here, but it is up to you.”
“I come with you. With Rizzo.”
Jason helped her to her feet. “Okay, here’s how it’s going to be. Rizzo, you’ll phase-shift with Chameli back to the shuttle. She’ll stay on board and Grimes can look after her. You report back here as soon as you can. You’re relieved from watching over Bristol; I’ll do that myself.”
“Um, that’s not such a great idea,” Bristol chimed in.
“What’s the problem?”
“Phase-shifting with so many time realms intersecting around here could be problematic. With the constant time fluctuations there’s no guarantee you’ll end up at the desired destination. It could be hit or miss. I wouldn’t chance it unless it’s an emergency or something. But you can do what you want.”
Bristol was probably right. Jason thought about both alternatives and didn’t like the idea of splitting up the team, sending Rizzo back to the shuttle. The time element was one thing, and it seemed there were too many risks.
Still watching the tribe in the distance, Jason said, “This isn’t the best LZ to bring in another shuttle. Let’s keep moving. When it’s right, I’ll have Ricket remotely fly in a shuttle to EVAC her back to the Minian. Rizzo, without a battle suit, she’s extremely vulnerable. Watch over her.”
Chapter 25
Jason turned as the last of the team entered 2214 A.D., a mere two hundred years into the future. The SEALs spread out, taking up a defensive perimeter position.
Before them were vast fields—endless crops reaching to the far horizon. Not wheat or corn, or any other crop recognizable to Jason. These were odd-looking: ten-foot-high purple stalks, with thick pink pods near their tops.
Wide swaths appeared in the fields as crops were cut down by hovering twenty-five-foot-diameter disks. Obviously drones, each disk was comprised of three razor-sharp, rounded, concentric segments. The segments, with a scissor-like action, were constantly spinning in opposite directions to one another. They were the cutting machines. Other drones, big and bulky, lumbered along on the ground, gathering and bundling the harvest.
Orion moved to Jason’s side and raised her own visor. “Your planet looks a lot different in two hundred years. Organized harvesting. The air smells good … the future’s not such a bad place.”
Jason didn’t respond. Something seemed off-kilter here, but he wasn’t sure what it was. In the distance a vehicle was approaching down a narrow road, some kind of long hovercraft. Jason signaled for everyone to move out of sight, get closer into the high stalks, and take cover.
“Everyone stay here,” Jason said. “Billy, Rizzo, you’re with me.”
They headed off down one of the recently cleared swaths in the direction they’d spotted the hover vehicle. It took ten minutes for them to reach an intersecting clearing that led to the road. Jason had a problem getting a sightline; the purple stalks were too high to see over and trying to move between them was virtually impossible.
“Like a field of rebar. Can’t believe we’ll be eating this stuff in the future,” Billy commented.
They reached the end of a cleared swath and Jason peered around the la
st of the strange stalk crop to the small road on the rise ahead. The hover vehicle was on the ground—it looked similar to a bus; probably used to transport day workers. He heard distant voices but couldn’t make out the conversation. Crouching low, Jason signaled Billy and Rizzo to follow behind him. They scurried forward and, one at a time, ran up the rise, taking cover on the far side of the bus. Down the road, past the end of the vehicle, was another recently cut clearing. Still keeping low, they moved forward. Jason took a quick look down the swath.
“What did you see?” Billy asked
“Link to my helmet cam,” Jason said.
He peered around the corner again, this time studying the scene a few seconds longer.
“Holy shit!” Billy said.
“Looks like eight of them,” Rizzo said.
Jason didn’t reply, trying to take in the implications of what he’d just seen. Yes, they were indeed day workers. But they weren’t human, or even machines, for that matter. They were Craing. Why would the Craing be tending fields on Earth?
He had little time to contemplate further. He was being hailed by Orion.
“Go for Captain.”
“Cap, we’ve got a problem,” she said, sounding out of breath.
“What’s up?”
“The disks, those hovering mowers. Well, there’s a lot more of them now and there’s no place to hide or get away from them. Hold on …”
Jason started running back toward the team, with Billy and Rizzo close behind. In the distance, he saw the hover disks up in the air. At least ten of them. They didn’t look to be harvesting. They were attacking.
“Orion, get to one of the cleared swaths where they’ve already harvested.”
“That was the first thing we did! It seems they’re coming for us.”
Jason heard her rapid breathing over his comms.
Jason connected a comms channel to the entire team. “Shoot them, shoot them out of the air.”
Plasma fire erupted from up ahead and two hover disks were instantly hit. Jason saw the closest of them falling, and it looked like it might land right on top of them. Not waiting, he brought up his multi-gun, quickly changed his HUD setting to tracking mini-missiles, and fired. Billy and Rizzo, apparently having the same idea, also began firing mini-missiles at the targets. Three hover disks exploded and were vaporized. The remaining disks, evading the same fate, had descended back down into the fields.
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