Genesis (First Colony Book 1)

by Ken Lozito

  “They don’t have a name, just a designation. TCL, for tree climber, large, and I can’t remember the number associated with it. I do know they pretty much stay in the trees but can come onto the ground and use their split tails to move them around,” Sean Quinn answered.

  The tree climbers kept up with them.

  “This is our new home. We need to learn to survive here. As part of our training, we’ll be going outside the camp a lot, and eventually we’ll be spending multiple nights away from camp,” Connor said.

  “Oh boy, I can’t wait,” Deacon said with mock enthusiasm.

  “You’ll be fine, Hot Rod. I’ll protect you,” Marten said.

  “I always like a strong woman to keep me safe and warm,” Deacon replied.

  Several of the other recruits laughed. Connor used his implants to connect to a drone ahead of them that was located in an open plain similar to where they’d made their camp. After thirty minutes of navigating the rocky terrain of the forest path, they emerged onto a grassy field. The field led to a shallow valley, and Connor stopped running.

  Ramirez gasped and pointed down into the valley. Two hundred yards away moved a herd of long-legged creatures that had thick, muscular bodies on top and were covered in shaggy brown hair.

  “They’ve got to be twenty feet tall, maybe even taller,” Ramirez said.

  “Look how many of them there are,” Blake said.

  One of the creatures swung its head toward them. The short tentacles along its mouth gave it a bearded look. The creature blew out a blast of air and the call was taken on by the others.

  “We don’t want to get any closer,” Sean warned. “They’ll leave us alone if we don’t bother them, but the alphas will defend the herd.”

  Another creature made a sound that reminded Connor of a deep horn blast. The herd perked up at this and started running away from them.

  “Looks like we spooked them,” Owens said.

  Connor frowned and tried to see if there were any drones on the far side of the valley.

  “They’re not frightened of us,” Marten said. She raised the scope of her rifle and peered across the valley.

  Connor couldn’t hear anything but the pounding legs of the giant creatures as they sped away.

  “How fast can they run?” Randle asked.

  “They can get up to a hundred and thirty kilometers an hour on an open field like this,” Sean said.

  “You know an awful lot about the creatures that live here,” Randle said.

  “Sergeant Diaz, we might have a planetary expert in our midst,” Connor said.

  A piercing scream echoed throughout the valley. Across from them, one of the long-legged creatures was pulled down by a group of spotted predators. They’d darted from the forest on the other side and sunk their claws into it. The predators looked as if they wore the pelt of a leopard that gave way to black skin and two sets of arms.

  The long-legged beast had bleated a final cry before the spotted predators silenced it with harsh growls.

  Connor looked at Sean. “Know what they are?”

  Sean Quinn squinted his eyes and then shook his head.

  “Boone?” Connor asked.

  “No, sir, we haven’t encountered those before,” Donna Marten said.

  “That’s our cue to leave. Sergeant Diaz, take point,” Connor said.

  They quietly withdrew back into the forest. Connor was about to turn around and follow the others when he caught sight of a spotted predator that wasn’t feasting on the fresh kill. It was facing him.

  “Shit,” Connor said.

  He raised his rifle and looked at the creature through his scope, taking off the safety and silently pleading with it not to attack him. It had no element of surprise, and no ambush predator would run across a field to attack its prey when there was a fresh kill waiting to be eaten.

  The predator’s muscular chest heaved as it drew breath. It had a set of smaller arms, followed by a set of longer arms behind it. The shoulder joint for the second pair of arms angled forward, and Connor was willing to bet that it could use those arms to help it run faster—a lot faster than Connor could ever run, that was for sure. There was no doubt in Connor’s mind that the predator was looking at him. There were thick protrusions from the creature’s cheekbones, which ended in red, giving it the look of fresh blood from its latest kill. Connor shivered and slowly eased his way backward. He’d thought the berwolfs were the apex predator in this area, but he might have been wrong.

  As soon as Connor was within the cover of the trees, he turned around and ran, eager to catch up with the others. He tasked a drone to follow that creature and kept the video feed on his internal heads-up display. It hadn’t followed him, but it definitely noticed him. He didn’t know if he was seeing the curiosity of encountering a new life form or whether that creature was judging how much of a threat Connor was. Either way, he didn’t want to find out, especially since he was armed with only a civilian hunting rifle.

  Chapter Eighteen

  That evening they had their first hot meal and the recruits also got their first taste of free time to eat and shower, which they all took advantage of. The only one pressed for time was Henry Deacon, whose comments had landed him on cleanup duty.

  They met again for further instruction, as well as information regarding the expectations Connor had for his Search and Rescue platoon. The class environment was more interactive since each recruit had professional experience in their chosen field that applied to what Connor was trying to accomplish with them. Nate Poe and Donna Marten had both been on security details, rotating through the research bases. They had an excellent working knowledge of the creatures and plants they should be careful of and things that weren’t a threat. Much to Connor’s surprise, Sean Quinn possessed a breadth of knowledge about the planet and its creatures. Admittedly, Connor had mistaken the sandy-haired youth for just another kid, but he’d proven to be intelligent. Given Sean’s parents, Connor supposed he shouldn’t have been too surprised.

  Over the next few days their time was broken down to physical training followed immediately by weapons instruction that included hand-to-hand combat. They also hiked into the forest beyond the camp. There were no reports from the drones about the spotted predator they’d encountered in the valley, but Connor still stayed away from the valley just to be on the safe side until the recruits were more experienced with their weapons.

  They’d built elevated platforms inside the camp, where they’d practiced rescue scenarios of extracting trapped victims. As they were completing their second round of PT one day, a small cargo ship flew over the horizon. The wings folded upward and the pilot landed the ship in the marked area of the camp.

  The cargo doors opened, and Diaz had the recruits start offloading the containers. Connor approached the side hatch, where Noah Barker exited the ship, followed by Ashley Quinn. Her gaze narrowed when she saw him. Ashley glanced to the side and saw her son offloading the plane. Her gaze softened for a moment and then she turned to Connor.

  “Noah explained what happened,” Ashley said.

  Connor nodded and glanced at Noah. He was carrying a backpack and glanced around the camp as if he were deciding whether he could get back on the ship.

  “Welcome to Search and Rescue. You can stow your gear in the tent and then meet up with the rest of the recruits when we assemble,” Connor said to him.

  Noah, recognizing a dismissal when he heard one, left Connor alone with Ashley.

  “Sergeant Diaz,” Connor said, “can you send Recruit Bling here?”

  Ashley frowned in confusion until she saw her son running toward them. Sean came to a stop and snapped a salute at Connor before standing at attention.

  “At ease. Give your mother a hug,” Connor said.

  Ashley pulled her son into her arms, and Connor took a few steps away to give them some privacy. He glanced over and Ashley was speaking in a stern tone to her son.

  Connor caught snippets of the conversation
. There were a few “crazies” and “your fathers” worked in.

  “Connor, would you come here?” Ashley called.

  Connor walked over and she had Sean give them a moment.

  “How could you let this happen? This isn’t what I want for my son,” Ashley said.

  “By the time I noticed he was here the ship had already gone back to headquarters. Training my recruits was more important at the time,” Connor said and stepped closer. “Look, if he’d been hurt I would have called in a transport for him. He wants to be here. Believe me, I tried to dissuade him from training with us.”

  Ashley shook her head. “Yes, I’m quite aware of the level of training you’re subjecting your recruits to.”

  Connor frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Come on, Connor, we’ve been keeping an eye on you. I’m not disputing your training methods. You have specific goals you’re trying to achieve, and as an expert, I recognize that. But as a mother, it’s tough to see. Why is Sean given double the punishment? Couldn’t you take it easier on him?” Ashley asked.

  “No. He locked himself in a storage crate to get away from special treatment. He did that to get away from the fact that you and Tobias are the head of the colony and Sean gets special treatment because of it. The fact that he handles everything I put him through is a clear indication of the man he wishes to become,” Connor said.

  “I think you underestimate how influential you can be. He’s still a boy,” Ashley said.

  “He’s almost eighteen. Old enough to be counted as an adult,” Connor said.

  Ashley scowled. “What do you know about—” she began to say but stopped herself from speaking.

  “You were going to say: What do I know about being a parent? Not nearly as much as you. You know that,” Connor said and squelched the pang of regret that threatened to rise up inside him. “But I know about training soldiers. Your son has what it takes.”

  “We didn’t bring him here to become a soldier,” Ashley said.

  Connor sucked in a deep breath. Ashley’s maternal instincts were in high gear, and this was an argument he couldn’t win. He turned toward Sean and waved him over.

  “Wait. I’m not finished speaking to you,” Ashley said.

  After nearly a week of being conditioned to follow orders, Sean Quinn was already coming toward them.

  “Sean, your mother has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want you here. Before you decide what you want to do, there’s something I want to say to you,” Connor said.

  Sean glanced at his mother and then back at Connor. “Yes, sir?”

  “You’ve recognized that you’re at a crossroads in your life and that it’s time to start forging your own path and have a say in what your life is to become, whether it’s here or some other part of the colony. I have one question for you, and whatever you decide will not influence my opinion of you. Understand?” Connor asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Sean answered.

  “Do you want to be known as the governor’s son or Sean Quinn? Because the governor’s son has no place on the Search and Rescue team, but Sean Quinn can earn a spot. Your actions over the past week have given you the right to try to be here in a more official capacity. That’s all I wanted to say. I’ll leave you to your mother and wait to hear your decision,” Connor said.

  Connor started to walk away, but before he could get too far, Sean called out to him.

  “Commander, I’d like to stay, sir.”

  Connor glanced at Ashley. The chief of medicine was seething, but when her son looked at her, she smiled at him.

  “I’ll tell your father your decision. I don’t have to tell you that he won’t like it, but I’ll share your reasons with him,” Ashley said.

  Sean’s eyes lit up and he gave his mother a peck on the cheek.

  “Be . . . careful,” Ashley said quietly.

  “I promise I’ll look after him,” Connor said.

  “I’m sure you will. Would you mind walking me back to the ship? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about,” Ashley said.

  “Of course,” Connor said.

  He followed Ashley back to the ship and she led him up the loading ramp beyond where the recruits were finishing offloading the ship. Once they were alone, Ashley spun around and punched Connor right in the stomach.

  Connor doubled over, gasping for air. Ashley loomed over him with a satisfied smirk on her face as he straightened up.

  “As a mother, you owed me that and you know it,” Ashley said.

  Connor sighed and nodded. “Alright, I’ll give you that, but I meant what I said about your son.”

  “Oh, I know you believe it. Somehow Sean has come to idolize you. While I do think you’re one of the good ones, you have a more dangerous side that I’d rather my son not emulate,” Ashley said.

  “This is supposed to be a place for fresh starts. I have a past that I won’t apologize for. I’m here, and I’m doing the best I can to contribute to the colony.”

  “I know you are. That’s the only reason I’m letting Sean stay here.”

  “Oh really? I don’t think you’d be able to stop him. Not anymore.”

  The pilot stuck his head out of the cockpit. “Ma’am, we’re ready to go.”

  “That’s my cue to leave,” Connor said.

  “Oh, I do have an update for you. Noah will be here for the duration of the training. And I’m showing that you requested one of the Hellcats for training purposes?” Ashley asked.

  “It’s a troop carrier vessel that I know is on the Ark. We’re Search and Rescue, and I want that to be one of our primary vehicles. We can rotate the ATVs as needed. Most of them know how to operate those anyway, but the Hellcat is different,” Connor said.

  “Who’s cleared to fly it?” Ashley asked.

  “Well I am, for one, and Juan Diaz for another. Unless you want to officially transfer a pilot to my group?” Connor asked.

  “Nope, not yet. I’ll see to it that you get your Hellcat, but it will take a few weeks,” Ashley said.

  “I appreciate the effort,” Connor said.

  Ashley narrowed her gaze in mock vehemence. “Don’t try using that charm of yours on me. Now get out of here.”

  Connor laughed and wished her well. He exited the ship and cleared the area, waving to the pilot as he went. The pitch of the repulsor engines increased as more power was pumped into them and the ship rose into the air and sped away.

  The recruits were moving the cargo crates over to their supply area.

  “Commander,” Diaz said.

  “What is it, Sergeant?”

  “Does this mean Recruit Bling is officially part of the Search and Rescue platoon, sir?”

  The nearby recruits, including Sean Quinn, stopped so they could listen.

  “Affirmative, Recruit Bling is part of Search and Rescue now,” Connor confirmed.

  Compton hooted loudly and gave Sean a healthy slap on the back. The sentiment was shared by the other recruits. Diaz walked over to Connor and barked for the recruits to get moving.

  “So you’re keeping the governor’s son here,” Diaz said. He spoke quietly so the others couldn’t hear.

  “He earned it. You know that,” Connor said.

  “I do, but some might read it as a political move,” Diaz said.

  “You mean my good friend, Damon Mills?”

  “Among some others,” Diaz said.

  Connor pressed his lips together. “What are you saying? I shouldn’t have let Sean stay?”

  “No, I agree with you, and it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t. You’d just do as you please anyway. If something happens to that kid—he gets hurt or killed—then that will be on you,” Diaz said.

  “If something like that happens to any of them, it will be on me,” Connor replied.

  “True, but Tobias Quinn can be a dangerous enemy to have. I’m not speaking to you as a sergeant. I’m speaking to you as a friend. Just keep that in mind,” Diaz said.

&
nbsp; “Well, as your friend I appreciate it,” Connor said. “I also doubt we’ll get many delays in our equipment requests from here on out.”

  Diaz’s eyes widened and he grinned. “You’re a piece of work. And you say you don’t play politics.”

  “I don’t. I’m just using the cards I’ve been dealt,” Connor said.

  Later that day Connor went into the tent that served as his command center. Noah Barker was hard at work setting up additional systems and checking the ones that they’d put in place.

  Noah turned around as Connor came inside. “Who set up this monitoring station? It’s like they just jammed all the connections in. Whoever did it didn’t know what the hell they were doing. I swear I spend more time going behind people, fixing their mistakes, whereas if they’d just let me do the install in the first place it would work perfectly. I bet it cuts out on you a bunch, doesn’t it?” Noah said.

  Connor glanced at Diaz, who had followed him inside the tent. The sergeant’s stone-faced expression didn’t reveal a thing. Only his eyes hinted at the barely contained mirth threatening to break free.

  “Is anything broken?” Connor asked.

  The monitoring station had been cutting out on them, but he hadn’t been able to figure out why.

  Noah stood up and rubbed his hands together. “Nothing I can’t fix. So are you going to tell me?”

  “What?” Connor asked.

  Noah frowned. “Which of your recruits do I have to thank for botching up this install? They’ll need to be trained to do it right.”

  Connor walked to the other side of the tent and looked away, feeling a flush creep across his face. “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Why not? Look, I won’t be that hard on them,” Noah said.

  Diaz started laughing, unable to contain himself any longer. “He put it together,” Diaz said when he caught his breath.

  Noah’s eyes widened. “Oh, my God! I’m sorry—uh, I didn’t mean all that. You know I was just being dramatic. It wasn’t so bad.”

  “Just stop,” Connor said. “It’s not going to crush me that I can’t install a monitoring station with the same skill as you. Just fix it so it stops cutting out on us.”