The raft continued to carry the others downstream as I made my way to shallow water and then pulled myself up onto the shore. The episode was over. I was shaken, but in no way injured or fatigued.
As the others raced away, I decided to try my hand at bounding along beside them on the rocky shoreline. Again, the suit proved invaluable, as the balance sensor helped compensate for any awkward moves that I made. The raft held together just long enough to get the others through the rapids and into a calm section of river.
I bounded up to the raft as York hopped off and pulled it the last few meters to the shore. “I tell you, I love this suit more with each and every passing day. This would be great for planetary ground exploration. I actually kind of enjoyed that little disaster in the making back there. Gets the heart pumping. Not that we have been in need of that the last few days, but just the same.”
Meecha spoke. “Frost tells of a stream that empties into this side of the river another half kilometer down. Perhaps that would be a good place to exit to the other side of the plateau. I think it is in our best interest to continue to move away from the Targ. The plateau runs for another twenty kilometers before it again drops off into a hilly landscape.”
It was a good plan and was soon enacted. The raft was pushed back out into the currents. When we arrived at the small stream, we found that it had cut a gently rising ravine into the cliff’s edge. Several tall waterfalls were encountered as we trekked upwards, but each offered rocky routes up and around them. We stepped from a spring at the beginnings of the ravine up onto the plateau.
My comm warbled as Frig spoke. “Sir, I apologize for my continued monitoring of your… your lack of coordination and control, but I believe I can extend the time the small portal is open by several seconds through the use of enhanced algorithms. You see, I can—”
I cut in. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Go ahead and just hold that techno-speak for your lab rats. Just tell me what you have planned.”
Frig paused. “That was rather rude, Sir. But, I understand your lack of understanding. Anyway, I have an adapter configured that Miss York can use for recharging her prosthetics. It will draw energy from a standard suit power pack. Three packs should bring her back to full charge on her limbs. I have taken note of your current direction, and if you so desire, I will deposit the items in your path. I also took a moment to read a scan of the packs that you and Frost carry. I will deposit fully charged packs for you two as well. Are there any other items that would be helpful to you and your party while we are at it, Sir?”
I thought for a moment. “Food. We are running low.”
I turned to the Gonta captain. “Meecha, is there anything we can provide to you or your men? I have not seen you eat anything of late. How are your rations?”
Meecha replied, “Our rations expired yesterday, Mr. Grange. We are a hardy breed, so we should be able to hold out until our ship arrives.”
I spoke. “Nonsense. Frig, drop us rations for twelve for a week. And see if you can round up nine of our old battle suits with helmets and boots. Something about Ashley’s size should do. The gravity assist is not as strong as these new suits, but the environmental systems should go a long way to helping the captain and his men deal with this hot climate. If you can squeeze those items through, I think that will put us in much better shape.”
Frig replied, “I will see what I can do, Sir.”
Meecha placed his hand on my shoulder as we walked. “Mr. Grange, I find it interesting that you are able to communicate with your people, and I am astounded that you are able to transport goods in the manner that you do. That is technology far beyond our own. Humans must be a powerful species and would be welcome in the fight against the Duke.”
I gave a half smile. “Part of me says that I shouldn’t discuss that technology with anyone, but I believe we are in need of the Gonta Federation as much as the Gonta Federation might be in need of us. The portal technology is in early development, with a single working generator. I will say that we are not interested in sharing that technology with any other species at this time. We may be willing to put it to use when needed, but again, it is in the early stages of development. I trust that you and your men will hold back on that information when your ship arrives. Most of our citizens do not know of its existence, as we have had too many close calls with spies.”
Meecha replied, “We too have trouble with spies from the Colossuns. If we are able to survive until a ship arrives, I will hold your secret from our command as a sign of trust and good faith.”
I stopped and held out my hand for the Gonta captain to shake. “I respect your word, Captain. I trust that your crewmen will follow your commands?”
Meecha nodded. “They will follow it to the grave, Mr. Grange. Gonta soldiers follow the orders of their captain. Insubordination in any way is highly frowned upon in our culture. Loyalty is highly praised and rewarded.”
Frig signaled on my comm. “You will find the items you requested at the coordinates I am sending to you. We have included several dozen sensors for you to leave in your path. They will let you know if you are being followed and the size of the force following you.”
I replied to Frig, “We aren’t leaving them tech that they can somehow make use of, are we?”
Frig spoke. “Each sensor has a proximity switch that will set off a small charge if movement is sensed within ten meters of its location. The scanners are equivalent to those on your arm pads, so the sensors can be placed at large intervals. If more are needed, we should be able to drop another satchel of them. Please make use of them to keep yourself safe, Sir. We will be needing your help to free the Grid.”
I replied, “You are a good friend, Frig. Keep working on that portal. This red planet is not the vacation we thought it was going to be. Give us a call if you have anything new for us. We will do the same here.”
Frig spoke. “Very well, Sir. I will do my best.”
Two kilometers’ distance later found us standing over new battle suits for the Gontas, fresh power packs, and a bag full of sensors. The captain and his men took fifteen minutes to squeeze into the flexible suits and set the environmental controls to their liking. Within a few hundred meters, we were bounding along at twenty meters per step. The Targs, if they were still in pursuit, would be falling behind at a rapid pace.
As we reached the hills at the far side of the plateau, York received a signal on her arm pad. “This is the Gonta Federation ship Malbus. Are you able to communicate?”
I looked at the captain and pointed to his arm pad.
Meecha pressed the comm button and replied, “This is Captain Meecha of the Jaarke. Thank you for coming, Captain; we await a shuttle.”
The Gonta captain spoke. “Captain Meecha, this is Tarfu Dek. How many are in your party? Do you require medical assistance?”
Meecha replied, “We are in good health, Tarfu. The Targ are in pursuit, but we have the advantage at the moment. How soon can you have a shuttle to our location?”
The captain replied, “You will have to be patient, Captain Meecha. Your beacon is not originating from a standard transponder. Your identity must be verified before a shuttle is sent to the surface. We cannot risk interaction with the native species.”
Meecha sighed. “The local species is already aware of our existence, Captain. We crashed two shuttles and nearly a third, and we have been warring with them for four days. Please conduct your security analysis as soon as possible, Captain. Conditions on this planet are apt to change at a moment’s notice.”
I spoke quietly. “Tell him you have another species with you that would be willing to help in your fight with the Colossuns.”
Meecha held up his hand as a gesture for me to be silent. “Captain, there are twelve of us that are being pursued by millions of angry Targs. We also have information that may be helpful in our fight with the Colossus Empire. Please expedite your security protocols and get us a shuttle down here as soon as is possible.”
The captain repli
ed, “Your request is noted, Captain. Please stand by.”
I looked at Meecha. “I don’t know about you, but I would prefer that we continue to move while they are making a decision.”
Meecha concurred, and we were once again bounding towards the hills.
As we ran, Frig once again signaled me over the comm.
“What is it, Frig? The Gonta ship is here, and I would rather not do anything that would spook them.”
Frig replied, “Sir, I was performing a scan of the Gonta ship and—”
I spoke with an angry voice. “Are you nuts? If they detect that, we get left here or at best locked up! Don’t get us—”
Frig interrupted. “Sir, four starships just dropped through light speed and are fast approaching the Gonta ship. I only have a minimal signature, Sir, but they appear to be Colossun.”
I stopped and spoke. “What? Captain! Signal your ship! Colossuns are coming!”
Meecha opened his comm and hailed the Gonta ship. There was no response, as the Gonta vessel was already preparing for a fight. The evening sky was soon alight with ion bolts. I flipped my scanner to full active and watched on my arm pad as the nearby battle began to unfold. Frost and York instructed the captain and his men how to do the same.
Emotions ran high as the first of the Colossun raiders took a heavy Gonta bolt and began to break apart. The somewhat-intact but damaged sections found their way into the Targ atmosphere after passing the Gontas’ position. Bright fireballs lit up the darkening sky.
As the second and third Colossun ships engaged in combat with the Gontas, I raised Frig on the comm. “Tell me we at least have a slim chance of getting out of here, Frig! I don’t think the Duke’s men will be all that kind to us this time around. Figure out how to get us through that portal!”
As we continued to watch, it became evident that the Gonta ship would be no match for the three Colossun attackers. The tremendous hits its ultrathick hull was taking could not be sustained. Scans soon showed another five Colossuns dropping through light speed.
Frig spoke. “Sir, I will be opening a portal fifteen meters from your position. It will be open for four seconds at best. You must mark its exact position.”
I replied, “Tell me what you have in mind, Frig! We are running out of time!”
Several seconds passed before Frig responded. “Sir, precisely mark the portal’s position. In order to pass through it, you will be required to run and dive forward. If your attempt is not precise, you will not be making it through intact.”
I grimaced. “Not intact. I don’t know that I like the sound of that. But get that thing opened, and we will give it a shot. The Gontas are not doing well up there.”
A portal opened for four seconds and no more. Frost and York drew lines in the red dirt of the plateau, forming a runway of sorts for our attempted escape.
I spoke. “That hole did not look big enough to fit us through, Frig. Tell me you have something better planned!”
Frig replied, “The portal diameter should reach sixty centimeters at its peak. That is slightly larger than the width of your shoulders, Don. From my scan, it appears that you will be the outlier of the group. We are crafting a collar to shove through the portal to assist in protecting you from bumping the side of the wormhole.”
I nodded. “So, you will have me jumping through hoops like some trained Bantis. I’m wondering if you are not just doing this for your own entertainment.”
Frig spoke in a gruff voice. “I assure you, Sir, we are taking every precaution we can to ensure your safety. My entertainment has nothing to do with this.”
I replied with a sarcastic voice, “Relax. Don’t get your Gambit panties in a wad. I’m just pulling your chain. Has it been so long that you can no longer pick up on my sarcasm?”
Frig was quiet for a moment. “I am sorry, Sir. The situation is critical and extremely dangerous. The moment does not warrant your levity.”
I spoke. “OK. OK. I’ll shut my trap. Just get that hole open so we can get out of here.”
I turned to the captain. “Meecha, you want to go first?”
Meecha replied, “I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Grange. Perhaps you should show us the way.”
York stepped up. “Stand back, you two. All that bravery is going to make you too big to get through. Frig, I am eight meters from the marked spot. I just took three practice leaps, and it looks like I averaged 2.4 seconds per lunge to get to the spot. Tell me when to set and then give me the signal to run.”
Frig replied, “Thank you, Miss York. A single tone will signal your set position followed by four tones at one-second intervals. On the fourth tone, make your attempt. And please, make your body as horizontal as possible. If your jump is not clean, you risk not making it all the way through. Any portion of your body that remains in the portal as it closes will be chopped off and frozen.”
York spoke. “You are making it sound too fun, Frig. I am set. Start your count.”
Several seconds passed before the single tone sounded. Soon after, the four tones followed and York lunged forward towards the marked spot. A single step was taken followed by a dive forward. The portal opened, with the collar being shoved through just as York reached the marked position. In two seconds she was through to the other side.
York’s voice came over the comm. “Piece of cake, Mr. Grange! Just go horizontal and you will slip right through!”
I ordered Frost to follow. Several seconds passed before a second precise dive carried her through to the safety of the other side.
I again gestured to the captain. “Show your men the way, Captain.”
Meecha looked longingly at his arm pad as his rescue ship took increasingly hard fire, and began to run. He then looked up at the marked position.
Meecha spoke. “Crewman Yolo. Take position and transfer through the portal as instructed.”
As the Gonta crewman lined up for his lunge, I winced at the thought of his name. The old saying swept through my brain. You only live once!
The tones sounded, and the Gonta crewman raced forward. His dive was off center and his fate was sealed. His right shoulder grazed the collar, throwing his torso and legs out of alignment. The crewman’s left hip slammed the collar, bringing his forward momentum to a stop. The Gonta knew of his mistake and let out a squeal just as the portal closed around his midsection. His lower half dropped to the red ground, freezing from his hips down to the tips of his boots in a slow and steady advance.
Frig spoke. “I am sorry, Captain. Crewman Yolo did not make it. If it is any consolation, I believe his outburst was one of frustration, as he gave a nod of thanks just before the freezing overtook him.”
The captain gave the order to his next crewman, who followed up with another perfect dive. The remaining Gonta crewmen passed through the narrow portal without incident.
I placed my hand on the captain’s shoulder. “Perhaps Captain Dek managed to slip away. Keep this in mind as you dive through that hole: the Federation still requires your assistance.”
Meecha responded, “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Grange. I do not require inspiration. Those two approaching Colossun ships are inspiration enough.”
The captain set and the tones signaled his time. Six seconds passed, and the captain was through the portal. As I crouched down for my run, I could see the penlights of a sighting taking place on my position. The Colossuns were preparing to fire!
The tones sounded and I lunged forward. “Arrrggghhhh!”
My shoulders passed perfectly, but my hips were slightly off center to the left. I banged the side of the collar hard, causing my right leg to rise up at the knee. I attempted to pull both legs forward in a crunch, but my right heel had snagged the outer edge of the collar. As the portal closed around me, my right leg was cut in two, halfway down my calf.
I rolled out on the floor of Frig’s lab and looked down in horror at my severed leg. Shock fell over me as my new stump froze. The freezing quickly began to advance up my leg.
Before I could react, Frig was standing over me with a laser pistol. I reached up for his arm as he fired. My leg, now severed just below the right hip, froze solid and then shattered with an eerie cracking sound.
The laser cut was clean. Frig had saved my life.
I looked up and was certain I could almost see a smirk on his face. “You! You did that on purpose!”
Frig replied, “Yes, Sir. I did indeed do that on purpose. That purpose was to save your life, Sir. You would have otherwise frozen solid!”
I looked down at the mound of shattered leg on the floor before me. It was beginning to thaw and melt into a gruesome lump of flesh and bone.
I spoke. “How did you cut through my suit?”
Frig replied, “I have the laser tuned to the exact frequency that will cause that suit to separate. It is a flaw in the suit that we have yet to correct.”
I shook my head. “Well, you could have at least done it without liking it so much!”
Frig smiled and replied, “No, Sir. I could not. I will have to admit that this episode, aside from Crewman Yolo’s demise of course, has been quite entertaining! George will get you fitted for a prosthetic, Sir. He is preparing for you in the medical lab as we speak.”
Chapter 13
Two days after our narrow escape, I stood from my bed on my new leg as George entered the room. “Don, you need another day for that bond to heal properly. If you walk on that in its current state, you run the risk of damaging the seal. That would require the removal of another two centimeters of your leg.”
I clumsily attempted a first step. “I’ll risk it. I can’t sit in that bed for another minute. There is just too much that we have to do.”
George replied, “Too much? What exactly are you planning to do that you can’t do from that bed? We are months away from a return to the Grid, if the Grid even remains under our control. No, as your doctor, I think it best that you get that final day of mending done right there in that bed. In fact, I insist!”
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