by J. N. Chaney
Talo beat his chest.
Terry motioned at the box in the boy’s hands and Talo gave it to him. Terry opened the lid and found the dagger, jewels and all. He gave the box to Talo and left to return to the battlefield, running hard and fast.
As everything came into view, he saw the fight had changed. Ysa was on her backside with the old man lording over her.
Ludo stood with his knee on Red’s back, pinning him. He waved the rifle at Terry. “Use the metal!” he shouted. “Help Ysa!”
Terry glanced at the dagger in his hand, then at Ysa and her attacker as he pressed the heel of his boot against her throat. Purple Eyes stared down at Ysa with a placid look on his face. “You will come with me,” the old man said.
Terry dashed toward them, kicking dirt behind him as he moved. When he drew close, he clasped the hilt of the knife with both his hands and raised it high above his head. As the blade was about to make contact, the old man bent slightly to the side, avoiding the jab. His face retained the same, seemingly bored expression.
Terry tumbled forward, landing face-first into the earth. He slid several meters, shredding grass.
Ysa screamed.
Purple Eyes smiled.
Ludo ran to Ysa and aimed the gun at the man with the white hair, shouting words Terry didn’t know. Purple Eyes did not bother to look at the weapon.
“Ludo!” shouted Terry as he got to his feet.
Ludo squeezed the trigger, and the muzzle flamed. The bullet hit the old man, deflecting from his temple. The flattened piece of metal landed a few meters from the target, who remained unfazed.
Terry could hardly believe his own eyes. Was this guy bulletproof? How was it possible?
“Terry!” shouted Ludo, snapping him out of it. “The knife!” He fired a second round, hitting Purple Eyes in the chest and accomplishing nothing.
Terry grasped the dagger. This was it. He ran toward Ysa and Purple Eyes, leaping a second time, but aiming with his whole body rather than the knife alone.
He landed on the old man’s back, wrapping his arm around his wrinkled neck. Purple Eyes shook him, stepping off Ysa in the process. He grasped Terry’s arm with his own and dug his fingernails into his skin.
Terry grit his teeth, trying to ignore the pain. He raised the dagger high above them with his other hand.
The dagger came down, its rainbow jewels glistening in the light of the nearby flames. It slid into the old man’s chest with ease, tearing his skin and ripping his flesh.
For the first time, Purple Eyes screamed, his face contorting in pain. He staggered, flinging Terry free and backing away, the knife still in his chest.
Ysa and Terry both got to their feet and stood alongside Ludo.
Purple Eyes clutched the dagger and ripped it free. He took several heavy breaths as crimson blood drained from his body, fixing his sight on Terry. He lifted the dagger high into the air. “Occotv!” he shouted. Attack!
Terry looked at Ludo. “Now what?” he asked.
Ludo shook his head. “Problem.”
A loud hum filled the valley, growing steadily.
Terry gripped Ludo’s shoulder. “What is that?”
Before Ludo could answer, a vehicle appeared from behind one of the distant cliffs, heading in their direction. Fighting the pain in his wrist and arm, Terry managed to focus long enough to see a band of men hanging off the sides and riding atop the metal monstrosity. Three of them seemed to be blowing horns, their faces adorned with paint and bones.
Ludo’s mouth dropped. “No!”
The vehicle arrived within moments, and half a dozen men unloaded, weapons in hand.
Ysa attacked them immediately. She disarmed two of the men with ease, kicking their weapons to the ground. She planted her fist on another’s jaw, shattering bone and teeth. Terry and Ludo joined her, each of them taking on an individual fighter.
Purple Eyes moved in, the dagger in his palm. He clashed with Ysa, pummeling her into the dirt and holding the blade against her neck. She didn’t move.
At this, Ludo paused, which gave the man he was fighting the opportunity to knock him in the back and onto the ground. Terry kicked his opponent away and made a break to help his friend. As he did, he felt a sharp pain rip through his leg, and he fell.
A bullet had ripped through his calf, taking a chunk of his flesh with it. The pain filled his body, and suddenly he felt every punch and every wound all at once.
He collided with the yard fence, breaking apart the wood and rolling towards the burning house. He tried to get on his feet, but collapsed immediately, screaming in pain. He looked to see Scar, standing with a gun in his hand.
Terry watched helplessly as the men took Ludo and Ysa into the vehicle, binding their hands.
The flames spread around him, jumping onto the dying earth and broken wood surrounding the house. The heat was almost too much for him to bear as he lay there on his stomach, covered in mud.
What was he supposed to do? How could he be so helpless? He’d searched for years to find a home, and now it had been ripped from his arms. He didn’t want to be in pain. He didn’t want to die or be alone. Why couldn’t he simply be happy for once? Why couldn’t he be free?
He turned on his back, staring into the fire. Was this the end? Would he—
A laugh echoed in the flames, light and sweet.
Terry jerked his head around, but saw no one. “Who’s there?” he asked.
Another laugh. It was a girl. Terry, she said. What are you doing, silly?
“Janice?” He touched the side of his face, shaking his head. “No, not right now. I can’t deal with this again!”
Why are you playing in the mud?
The flames crackled, wavering like tides in a yellow sea. A shadow flickered between them, distorted and fanatic.
I told you to run, whispered the voice, and the figure seemed to move with it. But you didn’t listen.
“Go away,” he gasped, breathing in the heat and coughing. “Please.”
Not this time, she said. This time I’ll stay. You need me. You always will.
The cloud of smoke hovered in the midst of the fire and quickly evaporated into the air. As it did, Terry saw the body of a small girl, pristine and untouched by the flames. Her long brown hair fell below her shoulders as she walked through the chaos of the crumbling structure, calmly approaching him with her hand outstretched. Her face was peaceful and full of youth, exactly the way he remembered it.
“Janice,” he managed to gasp.
She smiled, reaching out to him. He felt the touch of her fingertips against his skin. “Soon,” she told him.
And then the world went black.
Chapter 13
Ortego Outpost File Logs
Play Audio File 381
Recorded: January 16, 2351
THISTLE: You ever coming home, kid?
FINN: I’m starting to wonder. Seems like we’ve been here a while.
THISTLE: Well, I take responsibility for that. I turned your vacation into an assignment. Now I’m regretting it.
FINN: It’s okay, boss, really. I like being here. Feels like we’re doing something important, you know?
THISTLE: You’re just saying that because your girl is there.
FINN: Heh, maybe I am.
THISTLE: No big deal, Finn. I get it. But don’t get too comfortable. As soon as the job’s done, and those scientists get the radiation fixed, you’re heading back out into the field. Your team needs you.
FINN: Doesn’t sound like them.
THISTLE: You know they’d never admit it, but I can tell when they ask about you.
FINN: The next time you hear from them, say I’ll be back soon.
THISTLE: Sure, but until then, don’t do anything stupid. We don’t need another radiation accident. I don’t care if you think you’re Superman or not. Don’t risk it.
FINN: Come on, boss. You know me.
THISTLE: T
hat’s exactly my point.
End Audio File
Somewhere on Kant
January 16, 2351
Terry opened his eyes, only to find he was unable to move. He’d been strapped to a bed. He wasn’t going anywhere.
Shit.
He tried lifting his head, pressed against the straps but only managing to move a few centimeters. Peering down at himself, he saw a fresh set of clothes beneath the straps. Not his. Someone had dressed him.
He shot a glance to his side, his arm locked in place by a piece of leather. He still ached with pain, but it was much more tolerable now. The broken bone had been set and wrapped in a splint. Whoever his captors were, they didn’t want him dead.
Be thankful for the little things.
He scanned what he could of the room, but there was only stone. Tall rock walls and a rough ceiling. Light came from a window somewhere behind him, but it was too far for his neck to bend. If he could only get free, maybe he’d find a way out.
“Don’t worry, brother,” said a voice.
“Who’s there?” he snapped, but he already knew the answer. It was Janice, only her voice was off. She didn’t seem to be inside his head anymore. She was…
A flutter of laughter filled the room. Terry struggled to break free of the straps, twisting and turning, left and right, back and forth. As he did, he saw a quick blur, and he stopped.
Rolling to his side, he focused his eyes, staring at the strange distortion. For a moment, it seemed to fade, but quickly came together, materializing before him. It was like watching a rock shatter into dust, but in reverse.
As the figure materialized Terry’s eyes went wide, and he held his breath in disbelief.
Janice stood before him, smiling and twirling her chocolate hair. “Why’re you in bed?” she asked. “This is no time to be napping.”
He tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t form. “I…”
Janice pranced around the room, giggling as she skipped and bounced. “What a neat place!” she exclaimed.
This can’t be happening, he thought. This isn’t real.
“Don’t be so mean!” said Janice. “I’ll tell Mommy. I will!”
What is she talking about? I didn’t say anything.
“Yes, you did. You said I’m not real! What a mean thing to do.”
“You...” he paused, not knowing if he should answer.
“I am so here!” she snapped, stomping her foot. “Stop saying such mean things.”
There was no use in arguing with her. Not right now. He had to get out of this place, find Ludo and Ysa. He’d worry about his sanity later. “Okay,” he muttered.
She grinned, instantly dropping all apparent signs of anger. “I’m sorry I left, but I had to. I didn’t trust that silly old farmer. Not one bit.” She shuffled to his bedside and beamed a cheeky smile at him. “I’m here now, though. I knew you needed me.”
“Sure,” he said.
The door to his room swung open, sending a breeze of hot air toward him, ruffling the edges of his shirt. A man appeared, nearly as tall as the archway and dressed in metal armor.
“You’re awake,” said the stranger in the alien tongue. “Time to eat.”
At least he could understand these people now. Eight months of studying the language, and he was wasting it on a guard. “Okay,” said Terry, going along with it.
The man went to Terry’s bedside and silently examined the splint. Terry watched him leave, keeping the door wide open. A moment later, he returned, carrying a steaming bowl of what smelled like soup. Terry felt his stomach growl.
The stranger unstrapped Terry’s head, then poured the warm liquid into his mouth. “Drink,” said the man.
Terry did, ignoring the bitter taste. He drank until it was gone.
The man stood and left again, closing the door.
“Hello?” called Terry, but there was no answer. Was anyone going to tell him what the hell was going on? Not that it’d do him any good, of course. Whoever these people were, they’d abducted him, taken him prisoner. Strapped him in this bed like some kind of animal.
Is that it? He asked himself. Am I an animal to these people?
“No way,” said his sister’s voice.
He turned to look at her, this time with the full range of his neck. The guard had apparently forgotten to strap him back in. Another little victory.
Janice stood once more in the middle of the room, twisting her waist and flailing her hands playfully. “What do we do now?” she asked.
Hell if he knew. What options did he have? He could only move his head, and what good did it do him?
“Good point,” she said, tapping her chin with her finger. “Got any bright ideas?”
He grunted.
“Don’t be such a stinky-face.”
He fidgeted, wriggling beneath the leather. If he could somehow manage to loosen the straps...
Janice scuttled to his side. She tapped his wrist. “Start with this one. It looks the easiest.”
He did as she suggested, thumbing the strap and pulling his hand. Much to his surprise, the band was looser than it looked. After trying a few different angles, he managed to slide most of his wrist through the leather. Almost there.
“You’re doing great!” she said.
He jerked his palm the rest of the way through and finally freed it. With an open hand, he made short work of the other strap. In less than two minutes he was out of the bed and limping. His accelerated healing could only do so much. He’d have to wait a few days before he could walk around.
“I knew you could do it,” said Janice.
“If you know so much, find me a way out,” he muttered.
“Too easy,” she said. “Wait for the guard and beat him up!” She playfully jabbed the air with her fists, pretending to fight. “Pow pow pow!”
He ignored her and scanned the room. There was the bed, a small barred window, and the door. No other way out. He’d rather avoid a confrontation, but there might not be any other option.
“Maybe you can bust through,” said Janice.
He pressed both his palms against the door and pushed. When nothing happened, he closed his eyes and tried again, pulling from his strength. But nothing happened.
What good was being superhuman if he couldn’t even break down a single door?
“I thought for sure you could do it,” his sister said, frowning. “Oh, well.”
“Leave me alone,” he said.
“Don’t be so mean!” she snapped.
“I said get away from me!” he yelled. “You’re not real. Look at—”
Someone coughed, and the sound pulled Terry out of his delusion. He blinked and found his little sister gone.
The cough came again, this time from the wall near his bed. He leaned against it and listened. Whoever it was, they were sitting less than a few meters away. “Hello?” said Terry in the alien tongue. “Who’s there?”
Another cough. “Who is it?” asked the voice.
“My name is Terry. Can you hear me?”
A short pause. “Terry? Is that really you? It’s me, Ludo.”
“Are you alright?” he asked. “You sound hurt.”
“I’m tired. I need to rest.” His words were soft and his voice a whisper.
“What did they do to you?” asked Terry. There was a long pause. “Ludo?”
But an answer never came.
******
Somewhere on Kant
January 17, 2351
Terry sat with his back against the wall adjacent to Ludo’s cell. A day had gone by without so much as a word from him, and no one had opened the door to Terry’s cell. He wondered if anyone ever would. Had they put him here to die? Why not just shoot him and get it over with?
The light coming from the window told him it was midday. Earlier, a man had tossed a piece of rotting fruit through a slit in the door. Terry chose not to eat it, but now he regrette
d it. His stomach ached, and it made him sick.
I’ve gone longer than this without food, he reminded himself. But while it was certainly true, his stomach had apparently forgotten. The last several months spent stuffing himself with fresh meals every day on Ludo’s farm had spoiled him.
Janice visited him with erratic frequency, appearing and disappearing at random intervals, taunting him with her childishness. He knew she wasn’t really there, but sometimes it took a bit of convincing. He could see her now, the body of the girl from his youth. His baby sister.
Damn her.
The afternoon brought a chill as an outside breeze found its way into the cell. If it hadn’t been so cold, he might have found it refreshing. Not long afterwards, Terry heard the door of Ludo’s cell swing open.
“Is the traitor dead?” came a stranger’s voice.
“The wound is wide and deep,” said another.
“You will fix him,” said the first.
“I will try,” agreed the second.
“We need him awake. The Lord has questions.”
Terry pressed his ear against the wall. He could hear someone scuffing the floor, bumping into things. After a moment, the door slammed shut and the men made their way down the hall. It was quiet for a long time.
Night came. Terry crawled under the window and stared into the darkened sky. The clouds were clearing and he managed to catch sight of the stars. Ludo had shown him a few of the constellations during their months together. There was Gorodos the Great Fish, Keeda the Mother, and Talo the Hunter, for which Ludo’s son was named. Talo chased an animal called Windu, which as far as Terry could tell was some kind of wolf, but probably not. Windu was from stories, Ludo had said. As for Gorodos, he swam in the eastern sky this time of year, hovering over the horizon. Terry wished he knew about these characters when he was alone in the jungle.
Looking at Windu, Terry closed his eyes and allowed himself to sleep.