by G. E. Stills
“I know. I’m concerned. We need to get fluids in her. I wish there had been medical equipment at that warehouse we raided. Specifically IV equipment.”
“Explain IV,” he requested.
Tylee told him what they were.
“I know what they are now and I know where we can get some. Are you willing to take me to Sto’kan?”
“Of course.”
He motioned Ling’ar to join them and together they made plans.
****
They stepped out of the portal into the abandoned building. “The medical facility is a block from here. Return for us in two hours and keep the portal open. If we are not here waiting, go back through and close the portal, understood?” Keish’ar tightened his lips and stared at Tylee.
“I don’t like this part of the plan. I could go with you or at least wait here.”
“You don’t have to like it, just do what I say. We can’t risk losing you, too many are dependent on your ability.”
“Fine. I’ll be back in two.”
Tylee turned and stomped back through the portal closing it behind her. Keish’ar shifted the empty pack on his back to a more comfortable position. He and Ling’ar stealthily crept along the street, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. They circled around to the rear of the medical building. Ling’ar broke the windowpane and the two men crawled into a dark room. Each activated a glow stick and in the dim light cruised rapidly along the inner hallway searching for a medical supply room.
When they located it, the locked door soon gave way to Keish’ar’s beam weapon. They quickly began stuffing IV solution containers, the administering tubes and needles along with other medical supplies they found there into their bags. Keish’ar glanced down at the time piece on his wrist.
“Time to go. Tylee will be there to meet us in thirty minutes.”
They shouldered their packs and left the facility to retrace their steps. They had covered half the distance when they heard a low rumble from an approaching vehicle on the avenue ahead. Ducking further into the shadows, they watched a La’new ground car draw closer. It was open air and had six occupants. The rumbling noise stopped when the armored vehicle halted across the avenue from them and a spotlight beam played over the storefronts on the other side of the street. Keish’ar, leading Ling’ar by a few feet, crawled deeper in the shadows. Ling’ar crept along the walk to join him. His pack shifted and the items inside clunked together. The spotlight spun and highlighted him in the beam of illumination. A gun on board the vehicle stuttered to life and the display windows just above them exploded in a hail of projectiles.
As he dove for cover, Ling’ar yelped in pain when a bullet shattered his ankle. Ling’ar fired back at the La’new making the bugs scramble from the car and use it for cover. During the pause in gunfire, Keish’ar dove over the wall and crawled across the floor to join Ling’ar. They peeked over the covering wall and fired their guns forcing the bugs to scurry back behind the cover of their vehicle.
“We can’t stay here engaged in a battle. We have to get to the pickup point before Tylee gets there.”
“I know.”
Another hail of high caliber rounds peppered the area where they hid creating a cloud of dust.
“Maybe we can sneak away using a back entrance to this store,” Keish’ar suggested.
“I can’t walk. My ankle is mangled.”
“Then I’ll help you.”
“And what do you think the bugs will be doing while you’re helping me hobble away?”
Keish’ar didn’t answer.
“They’ll probably overrun us before we get out of this building and certainly by the time we reach the portal and we can’t allow them a chance to get to Tylee or Refuge.”
“So what do you suggest?” Keish’ar had a sinking feeling he knew.
“I’ll stay here and keep them pinned down while you get away.”
“I can’t leave you here.”
“We both know you have no choice. These medical supplies are critical. Who knows, maybe after enough time has passed that I know you are safely away, I can break off this fight and hide.”
Keish’ar tightened his lips. He knew that was unlikely.
“Please,” Ling’ar pleaded, “don’t let my sacrifice be for nothing. You need to leave now before they surround this building.” He shrugged off his pack and slid it over, then sitting up, he concentrated firing his gun at the bugs. He caught one out in the open and cut it to pieces. “Go! Now!” he yelled.
Keish’ar grabbed the pack and scrambled to the back of the shop using Ling’ar’s shooting as cover. He found the back door and hastened out. Using back alleys, he ran to the abandoned building where Tylee would appear. Helplessly he listened to the buzz of Ling’ar’s shots and the thunder of the La’new gun in answer as they exchanged fire. The silence a few minutes later was ominous.
Right on time, the portal opened and Tylee stepped into the room. Keish’ar wrapped his arms around her and shoved her backwards into the fog. When they were on Refuge again, he yelled at her.
“Close the portal quick.”
Tylee followed his orders and it blipped out of existence.
“Where’s Ling’ar?” she asked.
“Not coming.” As they strode back to camp, he explained.
“Oh my God.” Tylee reached out, took his hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded and squeezed back. These humans share so much in common with the average members of my people. When they got back to camp, he watched Tylee set up and start the IV in Rho’naa.
“Will it work?”
“Time will tell,” Tylee answered.
With thoughts racing over the mission and the loss of Ling’ar, he walked away to check on the progress in finding the null weapon controller.
CHAPTER SIX
Consciousness returned to Rho’naa. She became aware she was lying flat on her back and tried to move to a combat crouch. Her body refused to obey her mental command. “Drago,” she thought in panic. “I can’t move. Do something, there may be more bugs coming.”
“Relax,” he said, “we’re safe on Refuge.”
“Why can’t I move?”
“I’ve immobilized your muscles so your body can heal. You are badly wounded.”
“How long have I been unconscious?”
“Five days have passed since the battle.”
“Five days! Unlock my muscles. I need to move.”
“To let you move now would be unwise.”
She would have argued with her AI further, but she sensed someone kneel beside her.
“Please get well, Rho’naa, we need you. I need you. I l ––”
She recognized the voice as that of Keish’ar. Her voice returned. “Don’t you dare say the L word,” she whispered.
“You’re awake! Praised be Am’ar. The L word?” He paused. “Oh…the L word.” Keish’ar chuckled. “Me fall in love with a woman who just a few days ago threatened to kill me? I’d be a fool to do that. I was going to say like.”
“Drago, let me open my eyes…now. That is an order.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her eyes flashed open, but the rest of her body remained immobile. Keish’ar leaned over her, concern written on his face. Above her, a tarp had been stretched over the tall boulders surrounding her to form a rocky enclosure and shade it from the sun. She was on a cot. Glancing down, she saw an IV tube in her arm. “Where the hell did an IV come from? We didn’t get any of those in the supply warehouse we raided.”
Keish’ar glanced up and moments later Tylee stepped up on her other side. “You can thank Keish’ar for that. The IV has saved your life,” she said.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve got to go check on things, I’m glad you’re awake. I’ll be back later.” He strode away briskly leaving
the room.
“That was abrupt. Did I say something wrong? I don’t know the whole story about the IV do I?” She gazed up at Tylee.
Tylee shuffled her feet and gazed away.
“Tell me.”
“When your health has improved.”
“Tylee, tell me now.”
Her friend sighed. “Keish’ar and Ling’ar went to Sto’kan to get the medical supplies we needed.”
“And?” she asked when Tylee didn’t continue.
“Getting them came at a high price. Ling’ar didn’t make it back.”
“Oh God. He died getting my IV?”
“And other medical supplies we need.” Tylee changed the topic abruptly. “You just concentrate on getting better. We almost lost you. I still find it hard to believe you killed ten bugs by yourself. What did they do to you at that training center?”
“They made me into a living killing machine, Tylee. That’s what I do best.”
Tylee took her hand. “I knew you went through extensive training, but Keish’ar described what you did. No normal human can do that.”
“I’m not a normal human. I’ve been augmented extensively.”
“From his description, I knew you’d been augmented. Do you have an implant?”
“Yes.”
“Military grade?”
“Much higher.”
Tylee’s eyes widened. “An AI?”
“Yes, but I don’t need to tell you that is top secret.”
“My lips are sealed. Damn, an AI,” Tylee whispered reverently. “I’m sorry you’re here, that you nearly died and may yet because of me. At the same time, I’m glad you did. I can’t think of anyone I would rather have here with me.”
She wanted to squeeze Tylee’s hand, but her muscles refused to obey her mental command.
“We’re safe for the time being,” Tylee said.
“Maybe, but we’re also trapped here. We need to get a ship and leave Sto’kan.” Rho’naa struggled to obtain control of her body from Drago and rise. “I need to get up and assemble our group to start planning our escape. This group has been leaderless for too long.”
Tylee smiled at her. “Keish’ar has taken charge in your absence. He’s keeping the group focused on our survival.”
“Keish’ar?” She heard the incredulous tone in her voice. “All of us, or just the Men-gar?”
“All of us. Rho’naa, I like him and I know he likes you, a lot.”
Rho’naa snorted, but she knew it was true. She remember the concern written on his face and the words that he had spoken when he thought she was still sleeping.
“And you like him a lot too,” Drago said.
“I shouldn’t like him. He is a member of a species I have been trained to loathe, to kill.”
“And yet you do. Things have changed. At least here among this group.”
She sighed and hated that Drago was right…again.
Tylee patted her hand. “You need to sleep more. Your color is much better than before, but I know you’re still weak. I’ve got some things to do, but I’ll be back later.”
She watched Tylee stroll away and resumed her conversation with Drago. “Give me back control of my body,” she demanded. “I need to see to the welfare of this group.”
“I am normally subordinate to your commands,” her AI answered. “But you almost died, Rho’naa. I’m making repairs as quickly as possible, but I need a little more time. In a day, maybe two at most, you can resume normal activity, but not right now.”
“Restore control to me now.”
“We are not in current danger, so respectfully, I must disobey your command.”
“Damn it, Drago.”
“Your stubbornness is overriding common sense. Relax, Rho’naa. Sleep.”
Against her will, her eyes closed. Her heart rate slowed and soon her breathing became that of a person in peaceful slumber.
The next time she woke to the sound of a constant tapping on the tarp above. She pulled away the blanket covering her and sat up just before Tylee entered the room.
“Are you feeling better?” Tylee asked.
Rho’naa did a quick internal assessment. “I’m feeling much better,” she said and swung her legs to the side placing her feet on the floor. “How long has it been raining?”
“Since early this morning. It’s a good thing Keish’ar thought of sloping our roof tarps or we and everything we own would have been soaked when they filled with water and broke.”
“I want to go for a walk, tour our new home.”
“I’ll be happy to escort you if you feel up to it.”
“Then take this IV out of my arm, I don’t need it anymore, and let’s go.”
With the needle removed, Rho’naa had just slipped on pants and a shirt when Keish’ar entered the room. She gave thanks he hadn’t arrived a few minutes earlier and caught her naked.
“You’re up,” he said.
“Brilliant observation. I suppose next you will inform me it’s raining.”
The smile on his face faded and he glanced down at the floor.
Tylee scowled at her and Rho’naa quickly added, “Oh don’t let my words get you down, I’ve been laying here on the cot for days. I’m a little grumpy.”
“A little?” Tylee whispered.
She ignored Tylee and continued speaking to Keish’ar. “I’ve been hearing good reports about how you’ve taken over command around here.”
“Would you like me to show you around?” he asked.
“Tylee has already volunteered for that job.”
Tylee placed a hand on her back and urged her forward. “Go with him. We can visit later. I have other things I can do.”
For a moment, Rho’naa pressed her lips tight. “It seems my girlfriend wants us to be together. Fine then, lead on Keish’ar.” She took position next him. Over her shoulder, she scowled at Tylee and said, “We’ll talk later.”
Without a word, he strode from the room with her pacing beside him. The first place he took her to was the storage room. Plastic boxes were filled with perishable items or ones that would be affected adversely by the dampness. These sealed boxes were stacked against a back wall furthest from the entrance. Other items were stowed against the other two walls.
They quickly crossed the open space that separated the storage room from the rest of the complex to avoid getting drenched by the falling rain. Rho’naa noted with approval that a system of trenches gathered the water dripping from the tarps and carried it away down the hill.
Keish’ar saw her glance at them. “It prevents puddles from forming.”
“Good idea. Yours?”
“Yes. Despite what you have been taught, we Men-gar are not a bunch of blood thirsty monsters that think of nothing but killing.”
“I wonder how long the rain will last?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “No idea, but judging from the cloud cover, I don’t think it will happen anytime soon. You really don’t think you’ll melt do you?”
From the expression on his face and the tone of his voice, she knew he was trying to break the ice between them, even trying to add humor.
Rho’naa swallowed, then reaching out, placed her hand on his shoulder. “From what I’ve seen and heard you’ve done a great job. Oh, and believe me, I’m not that sweet.”
“No kidding,” he mumbled.
She punched him lightly in the arm. “Lead on my new friend.”
He took her to one of the sleeping rooms and showed her the neatly arranged cots there. Whenever they encountered one of the group, she was greeted with smiles and kind words. Next was the common room where meals were prepared. Folding tables and chairs occupied most of the space and the bulk of the group was gathered here.
They rushed across another open space and entered the last ro
om. Three people occupied the room already. Two of them were hunched in front of electrical equipment removed from the La’new ship. The third was pouring over a pile of manuals on a table in front of him.
“Any progress?” Keish’ar asked.
The two men at the electronic equipment shook their heads. The one studying the manuals said, “If we could just decipher the language it would help I’m sure.”
Rho’naa peered over his shoulder.
“Drago?” she asked.
“Maybe. I can try.”
“I need to rest some more,” she said to Keish’ar, “but I’d like to take one of these manuals with me to see if I can figure out the language.”
“Have you seen this writing before?”
“No, but I’ve always been pretty good at learning new languages.”
The seated man handed her a manual. “Then by all means try.”
Keish’ar escorted her back to her room and left with a promise to check in on her later. Rho’naa opened the manual and started scanning through the pages while Drago used her eyes to study the writing. Hours later, she turned the last page and closed the book.
“Thank you. Let me analyze this information.”
“Any chance you’ll be able to translate?” she asked.
“Too preliminary to know for certain, but yes, I think I can.”
“Good. We need some good news. I think I’ll lay down for a while. I feel weak.”
“That’s a good idea. While you sleep and recover more, I’ll work on learning La’new writing.”
****
Drago was learning the language, but progress was infuriatingly slow. Rho’naa paced the room in brisk strides. “It’s been a month and you still don’t have enough knowledge of the bug language to understand large parts of these manuals. I thought you said you could.”
“I can eventually, but this language is different than anything I have knowledge of. It will take months and maybe even years.”
Rho’naa bristled at the mention of years. “There has to be a quicker way.”
“I need other samples of their writing. Something non-technical.”
“Right and we’re just supposed to go up to one of the bugs and say, pardon me, but I need to borrow some of your literature so we can figure out how to defeat you.”