by Aaron Hubble
Calier picked up the make-shift litter they’d put together to transport Berit. He started to pull the litter when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Cullen gestured toward one handle of the litter, miming that he wanted to help. Calier hesitated, but then gave in to the practicality of the request. He allowed the man to grasp a handle and they followed Maltoki out of the little grove and toward the rendezvous with Cirta.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Aereas - Alam, Ma’Ha’Nae city under Lake Keali
The shaking began just as Jondon had settled into his desk chair with a steaming mug of midbar. The first tremor was minor and he only felt it in the floor. The second was more intense, vibrating a picture off his desk. He sat silent for moment. Nothing more happened.
He relaxed a bit, and picked up the tablet, reading through a report. The search for the human had been called off. Most likely he was dead, but Jondon had made sure the city was on high alert and ready to evacuate. Jondon started to lean back in his chair when one of the command center’s communications officers burst through the doorway.
“Sir, we need you right now.” The officer disappeared without waiting for Jondon.
This is serious, thought Jondon, and his mind immediately thought of the team in Homa. Letting go of a small prayer, he asked for their protection and steeled himself for bad news.
Another tremor shook the command center as he strode into the room. His eyes were drawn to the overhead screen that showed a digital representation of Lake Keali and the surrounding forest. The area at the south end of the lake, where the natural stone dam was located, glowed red.
The officer who’d come to his office, beckoned him toward her station.
“Sir, a sentinel patrol is reporting human ships are targeting the dam. The tremors we felt were the result of aircraft missile strikes.”
People around him gasped as two more tremors rattled the command center.
“Open up a channel with the patrol and feed it through the main room speakers,” Jondon said, crossing his arms.
The communications officer worked at her monitor and then nodded to Jondon.
“Sentinel,” he said. “Tell me what you’re seeing.”
Through a bit of static, the voice of the sentinel came across the speakers. “Sir, two human ships are making passes over the lake launching missiles into the dam. They haven’t breached it yet, but we can see large impact craters. Water is spilling over the top.” There was a pause in the transmission. “Here they come again, sir.”
Two more tremors shook Alam, and the sentinels agitated voice came to them again.
“That did it! The dam has been breached. It won’t be long before it is completely gone. Sir, they’re trying to drain the lake.”
Jondon hung his head, trying to wrap his mind around what the sentinel had just told him. The humans knew. They knew where Alam was and they were going to destroy it.
How had they found it?
The human. Andy.
The one who’d escaped. It was implausible to think he could have survived in Sho’el all alone with no gear. They’d been so careful, but now they’d been outdone by a million-to-one chance. Anger flared inside of him. He should have pursued the man more diligently; instead he’d assumed the human wouldn’t survive the harsh environment of Sho’el. He’d failed his people. Jondon slammed the desk with his open palm, the sound reverberating through the silent room.
The eyes of all his people were on him, and he could see their anxiety.
Keep in control. These people need you to lead them.
Straightening, Jondon moved to the center of the room and climbed on top of a chair so that all could see him. Clearing his throat, he began to give the orders that broke his heart.
“I am calling for the evacuation of Alam. You’ve all been trained for this. Help the citizens get to the exits. Lead them to the rendezvous points within the forest. At those points there are caches of supplies, clothing, and weapons. There are also instructions there to remind you what to do next and a map to show you where to go.”
He looked at them again and tried to radiate confidence. “I’m counting on you. Our people are counting on you. Go in the blessing of the Lord. Dismissed.”
Everyone moved at once, embracing, crying, and hurrying toward the exits. Jondon activated the city wide communication channel, and began saying the words that he never thought he would have to say.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Aereas - On the shore of Lake Keali
With each pass, the Helix Fighters hammered the natural stone dam holding back the water of the mountain lake. Rock exploded with each ordinance. Chunks of the dam flew in the air and splashed into the lake or crashed to the rocky shore. Andy watched it all from his position on a hill overlooking the cave he’d exited three weeks ago. He’d stepped out of the cave as an escaped prisoner of war, a journey that now ended where it had begun. This time, he had the power and the upper hand. He’d led the CPF back to the doorstep of the Ma’Ha’Nae home city. The last of the resistance on this planet would be crushed today.
A little thrill of victory ran through him. He’d survived his capture, imprisonment, and then the forest. Now he would outlive what was left of any free Aereans. Promotions would be coming soon and he felt he deserved it. Still, one thing nagged at a corner of his mind.
Evie.
It was her face he saw when he closed his eyes. He’d tried desperately to banish her face from his mind. Especially the look of confusion, betrayal, and hurt just before he’d beat her unconscious. Was there something to her story? Admittedly, he had felt something for her. Not love, not as she’d claimed she felt for him, but there was an undeniable attraction. A flush of shame colored his face as he thought how he’d manipulated her feelings on the day of his escape.
Enough! You’re a soldier in the Continental Peace Federation with a job to do.
He settled back into his perch and watched as the Helix fighters barreled toward the lake on another run. Trails of white smoke marked the path of the missiles and Andy held his breath. The forest was rocked by a tremendous explosion. Debris careened through the air followed by a torrent of water cascading over the broken rock that had held back the lake for millenia. Gorged with new water, the Tefilia River churned into the forest south of the lake, ran over its banks, and surged through the trees, uprooting many and creating a new landscape. A cheer rose up from the men around him. Someone slapped him on the back.
Colonel Shepherd grinned at him. “That’s all you, Dillon. Without your information we’d still be looking for them.” Shepherd addressed the rest of the soldiers. “Eyes on the cave. I expect they’ll be coming out like rats escaping a sinking ship. Fire at will. Don’t let any of them get away.”
Andy forced a smile and nodded. He turned his attention on the cave mouth and waited. What if Evie came out of that cave? Or Jondon? Or the doctor? Could he pull the trigger? He was going to find out soon.
The first wave of people began exiting the cave and were greeted by a hail of CPF bullets.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Aereas - Alam, Ma’Ha’Nae city under Lake Keali
“Hello? Anyone out here?” Evie asked, poking her head out of her apartment.
The evacuation announcement continued to play in the background. The hallway was deserted, the guards having left their posts after the city-wide announcement to evacuate the city. They’d forgotten about her in their hurry to get to their families, and Evie couldn’t blame them. The problem was she was left without any idea where to go. She hesitated and then ducked back into the apartment where she quickly changed into pants, a long sleeved shirt and a jacket. Swapping the sandals for a pair of boots, Evie closed the door of the apartment and jogged toward the front door. She pulled on the handle and found she was locked in the building.
Hefting the solid iron-framed chair that sat next to the door, Evie swung it at the glass and heard a satisfying shatter. She jogged back to her room removed the blanket from her bed
and draped it through the broken window, giving her some protection from the glass remaining in the frame.
Gingerly, she crawled through the window managing to pick up only one small cut. Outside she saw the mass of people streaming in the same direction. Evie started to follow them, but something in the back of her mind told her there just wasn’t enough time to wait at the back of the line to get out. Once the dome was exposed above the water, the CPF would hammer it with missiles until the force-field weakened and collapsed, drowning anyone who remained in the city.
The people needed more time, but how?
She felt helpless. Even worse, she felt responsible because she was the one who’d helped Andy escape. Granted, she’d been deceived, and never imagined this would result from her actions. Still, she’d played a role in what was happening. Her hands curled into fists and from her chest rose a scream she directed at the apex of the dome. Tears streamed down her face as she watched fathers and mothers clutching their little ones close. Evie could see a realization written on their faces. An understanding that much of this was in vain, but still they tried, they didn’t give up.
She couldn’t give up either.
Uncurling her fingers, Evie stared at the red half-moon shapes of her fingernails imprinted on the palms of her hands. Her part in the tragedy was undeniable; she had let herself become a victim, but she didn’t need to remain one. Within herself, Evie felt the hardscrabble will to survive born from years of living in Earth’s wasteland towns and fighting for everything she’d ever had. That was the Evelyn Kreg she needed right now, not the weepy, guilt-ridden jilted wife.
Time. The people just needed more time.
Her legs moved her into action as she weaved through the throng of people. A plan formed and she knew where she needed to go.
The hangar.
She was like a fish fighting its way upstream, the crowd parting around her. The plan was a long shot, but if the mechanics and engineers had made the repairs she’d specified for them, this could buy the people enough time to get out into the forest. After that, it was in the hands of their god.
The enormous roll-top door of the hangar was up, and Evie sprinted through the opening and up the incline into the dim light of the rocky enclave. Ahead she saw it, the second captured Valkyrie. It had been in much worse shape than the first one that Ammaya’s group used on raids, but to her eye it looked flight worthy now. She met several of the mechanics running in the opposite direction and carrying weapons. She waved for them to stop.
“Will it fly?” she asked through labored breaths.
The mechanics looked at her, puzzled. Evie realized in her excitement she’d spoken in her native tongue instead of the Aerean language. She quickly asked the question in Aerean. The three mechanics nodded.
“We just finished with her today, but we haven’t flown any test flights,” one said.
Evie nodded and ran past them toward the craft. She jogged up the ramp, focused on the cockpit, hoping she still had the skills to fly a Valkyrie in a combat situation. Behind her she heard the tramp of boots on metal. Whirling around, Evie saw the three mechanics still toting their rifles.
“We can’t let you take the craft and help your people,” one said pointing the weapon at her.
Evie raised her hands. “I’m not trying to help my people. I’m trying to help yours. Without more time to evacuate, thousands of people are going to drown in Alam when the dome comes down. This ship can give them that time. If I’m able to cause trouble and maybe even take a few of them down, a generation of your people might survive this attack.”
The three men looked at each other and then at Evie. One stepped forward. “We’re coming with you. If you open the doors, can we shoot out while you’re flying?”
A grin spread across Evie’s face. “You bet.” She stepped forward and embraced the surprised man. “I’m glad I’m not doing this alone. Get as many rifles as you can. We’re airborne in two minutes.”
Evie raced to the cockpit and by instinct initiated the preflight engine burn. While she’d been plugged into the ship the last time she’d flown a Valkyrie, the knowledge of the manual controls was second nature and she moved without thinking. A quick knock of knuckles on metal caught her attention.
“We’re ready whenever you are,” said the man she’d embraced.
“Strap in and get ready for take-off. I’m going to do this very fast.”
He nodded and made his way back to the hold of the ship. “Wait,” Evie said. “What’s your name?”
“Lotai,” he said.
“Mine’s Evie,” she said, giving Lotai a smile. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you,.” Lotai replied before taking his seat next to the side doors.
Evie gripped the flight control stick and throttled up the engines. At first they rose slowly, then Evie gave the takeoff thrusters everything she could and the Valkyrie rocketed upward. The narrow rocky cavern sped past her forward window, the distance between the ship and the wall much closer than she cared to acknowledge.
Reaching the top of the shaft, Evie braked hard and ignited the main engines. The Valkyrie shot out of the mountain, and into a clear blue Aerean morning. Evie let out a shout of exhilaration and banked the Valkyrie in the direction of her enemies.
Enemies from her own world.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Aereas - On the shore of Lake Keali
Bodies lay scattered about the cave mouth, and Andy pulled the trigger automatically. It was as if his index finger were performing the action of its own will, without his mind being engaged. While his finger moved, his mind questioned.
What would he do if Evie came out of that tunnel?
A bead of sweat tickled down the side of his forehead, and he raised his visor to wipe it away. The cool air of the forest refreshed his face and he took a deep breath.
Andy set his jaw. He and his brother soldiers were here to do a job and secure a new home for his people. The time for questioning had long since passed. Andy chided himself for his lack of concentration and lowered the visor as Shepherd’s voice sounded from the comm in his helmet.
“Valkyrie units position yourself around the northern end of the lake and lend assistance to the infantry units. Helix fighters stand by. When the water level is low enough and the dome is showing, I will make the call for you to punch a hole through the force field.”
A cheer went up among the group, but was cut short by shots tearing the trees surrounding them. Wood splinters showered Andy, and several of the men around him fell, some screaming in pain, others silent and unmoving.
“Hostile natives in the forest behind us!” roared Shepherd. “Engage.”
The CPF soldiers scrambled for better cover and began to fire into the forest. Any lingering questions vanished from Andy’s mind as live rounds tore through the trees around him. There was something about having your life in danger that rallied your instincts. He saw several green hooded men go down. Shepherd screamed into his comm and a moment later heard the roar of a Valkyrie’s engines. The air ship swung in over the natives’ position and pummeled the ground with heavy gun fire. After several seconds, the fight was over as the outmatched natives lay dead on the forest floor.
Turning back toward the cave, they saw several people fleeing into the forest, having taken advantage of the distraction caused by the gun fight.
“Let them go,” said Shepherd. “A Valkyrie on the northern end of the lake reported natives are coming out of several hidden exits. I want to seal up this exit and then move to the other end of the lake to lend assistance.”
Jogging through the forest, Andy felt the rumble of the exploding charges they’d set around the cave, turning the exit into a tomb and forever sealed in those desperate for freedom.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Aereas - On the shore of Lake Keali
Click.
Jondon pulled the trigger but the gun was empty.
“Jondon! Catch!”
He lifted
his chin from where it had sagged into his chest just in time to reach up and catch a clip which had been flung at him. The cool metal felt like a life line, and the sound it made when he rammed it home was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. Ten feet from him, crouched behind a large boulder of mountain rock, Pa’al, the young sentinel lookout, gave him a thumbs up. Jondon returned the gesture. He knew the kid was out of his element here. An artist who enjoyed solitude, the man had never liked training with weapons even though he’d felt the call to serve his people as a sentinel. Jondon had always assigned him to the lookout perches where his keen eyes could watch over the forest and find time to feed his inner creativity.
Today, however, he’d picked up a rifle and defended the people who fled the city. Jondon swelled with pride as he leaned out from behind the tree and fired on two advancing soldiers. One went down, while the other tried to find cover only to be cut down by a bullet from Pa’al’s weapon.
They’d tried desperately to hold the entrance and keep the humans in the forest, but their push had been relentless. Around him lay the bodies of civilians and sentinels alike. It was plain to him the humans didn’t care who fell to their bullets; they just cared that the blood of Ma’Ha’Nae wet the ground today.
“I’m almost dry, Jondon,” Pa’al yelled over the sound of weapons fire.
Jondon took several more shots and then looked at Pa’al. “I want you to fall back into the forest and protect those trying to escape. Get to your rendezvous point. We need you alive, do you understand?”
The young man nodded. “Good luck, sir.” Pa’al took one more shot, and then disappeared into the dense foliage.
Jondon said a prayer as the young man scurried away. He activated his wrist comm. “To all remaining sentinels, hold the exits as long as you can and then flee with the others. Our survival depends on you getting to rendezvous points.”