Fallen Star (Project Gauntlet Book 1)

by Richard Turner

  “Damn good shooting,” said Maclean, patting Sam on the back.

  “Thanks,” he replied, ejecting the spent casing and loading a fresh bullet.

  Maclean looked over his shoulder at Reba. “Can you see the other birds?”

  “I have them on the screen,” she responded. “They’ve taken cover behind the hardware store.”

  “If only we had a fully-armed predator drone under our command. We could blast those bastards to kingdom come without breaking out in a sweat.”

  “How’s it going up here?” asked Black, sitting down next to her son.

  “Your son’s one hell of a shot,” said Maclean.

  “That’s good, because I’ve got a gymnasium packed with frightened people.”

  “Here come the other two,” announced Reba.

  Warily, the two terror birds walked back out onto the road and made their way straight to their companion’s dead body. They nudged it with their heads. When it didn’t move, they ripped and tore at its flesh with their sharp beaks.

  “Drop them,” ordered Maclean.

  Sam adjusted his body position slightly, took dead aim, and fired. One of the birds fell with a shot to its head. The other bird, oblivious to what had just happened, raised its blood-covered beak to look around when Sam shot it through the neck. The bird let out a wet cry as it fell in a heap next to the two other creatures.

  “That’s my boy,” said Black, nodding at her son.

  “Okay, that’s three down, and who knows how many to go,” said Maclean.

  “Do you hear something?” said Tibeluk, staring straight ahead.

  “Yeah, it sounds like a car, and it’s heading our way,” said Black.

  A second later, a police Suburban came into view. It sped down the street, weaving from side to side, just missing the pile of dead birds

  “My God, that’s Bill and Sean’s vehicle,” said Black.

  Before the SUV made it halfway to the school, the vehicle veered off the road and smashed into a parked car right outside of the police station. The SUV came to a sudden, jarring halt. Steam rose from the engine like a genie escaping its bottle. Even from where they were, Maclean could see the men in the vehicle were in trouble. He spun on his heel and ran for the ladder leading down to the gym.

  “Where are you going?” called out Tibeluk.

  “Those men need help.”

  “Wait, I’m coming with you!”

  Black placed a hand on her son’s shoulder. “Cover them.”

  “Will do, Mom,” responded Sam. He placed his weapon’s sight on the wrecked vehicle and slowly moved around, looking around for any animals.

  In the school’s parking lot, Tibeluk raced to open the door to her SUV. She jumped inside and started the vehicle, as Maclean leaped in beside her.

  “Step on it,” said Maclean, as he flipped off the safety on his MP7 with his thumb.

  The Suburban’s tires squealed as Tibeluk floored the accelerator. She spun the steering wheel around in her hands, and drove like a bat out of hell straight down Main Street.

  As they closed in, they could see the windshield on their compatriots’ car was smashed, and blood was streaked across the glass. Tibeluk brought her vehicle to a screeching halt right next to the wrecked Suburban.

  “Stay here, in case we need to take off quickly,” said Maclean. “I’ll get your friends.” He didn’t wait for her reply. Maclean bashed open his door with his foot and jumped out. He ran to the driver’s side and yanked open the door. A man sat there, holding a hand to his blood-covered face. Maclean stuck his head inside, and saw the other officer slumped over in his seat. His neck was torn open, and his uniform was drenched in blood. Maclean knew the man was dead, and unbuckled the driver.

  A shot rang out.

  Maclean forced himself to ignore the gunfire and scooped up the badly-injured man into his arms. He ran back to the waiting Suburban, laid the officer down in his seat, and jumped up on the running board. With one hand gripping the open-door frame and the other his MP7, Maclean looked at Tibeluk and said, “Drive.”

  She nodded and slammed her foot down on the gas pedal, just as two birds broke from the cover of the trees and ran after the vehicle. Maclean lined up the closest one with his submachine gun and fired. The monster let out a cry before slowing down and giving up the chase. Maclean was positive that he had hit the bird, just not enough to kill it.

  The second creature tore down the street, intent on pulling Maclean from the car to devour him. The bird snapped its beak and let out a loud cry. It was incredibly fast, but the SUV was faster. A gap between the bird and the police vehicle grew. On the roof of the school, Sam waited until he had a clear shot and fired his Winchester, dropping the predator with one shot.

  Tibeluk jammed on the brakes and stopped her vehicle right outside of the doors that led to the school gymnasium. Black and Hayes were waiting there to help.

  Maclean jumped down to the ground, slung his weapon, and reached into the SUV to take the wounded man in his arms.

  Black let out a horrified gasp when she saw the bloodstained uniform. “That’s Bill. Where’s Sean?”

  Maclean shook his head.

  Mrs. Norton, the clinical nurse, ran to take charge of the badly injured man. “Take him inside. I need to check on the extent of this man’s injuries.”

  Everyone ran inside the building before the door was closed and locked.

  Maclean walked to an empty classroom, laid him down on a table, and stepped aside, as Norton got to work. A woman in the hallway let out a stifled cry when she saw the badly mangled body dripping blood onto the floor. Black ushered the bystanders away from the room, telling Harrison to keep the people in the gym.

  “Did he say what happened to them?” Black asked.

  “No, but by the look of the wounds he and the other officer sustained, there’s no doubt in my mind that they had a run in with some of the terror birds,” said Maclean. “He’s lucky to be alive.”

  “Sheriff, Bill wants to talk to you,” said Norton.

  Black removed her hat and bent down until her ear was right above the officer’s lips. Maclean couldn’t hear what was being said, but had the helpless feeling that the man was on his way out. He had seen people die before. It never got easier for Maclean to watch good men and women lose the fight to live. A few seconds later, Black raised her head. Tears filled her eyes. “Bill’s gone.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Maclean, placing a hand on the sheriff’s arm.

  Tibeluk turned away, hiding her tears.

  “Was he able to tell you what happened?” asked Maclean.

  “Yes. They stopped to help a couple who had driven off the road, and that’s when the birds attacked,” said Black. “He said they came out of nowhere. They killed the couple, and badly injured both men before they could get back into their vehicle. Bill and Sean were a couple of the best men I’ve ever had the honor to serve with.”

  “Sheriff, this is only just beginning. We can mourn their loss when this all behind us. Until then, the people in this school are scared and are looking for a leader, and you’re it. I’m a sergeant in the Australian Army. I’ll do my job, but you’re the person they need right now.”

  Black took a deep breath and composed herself. “You’re right, Sergeant, thanks for trying to save my men. But I think Sam needs you on the roof.”

  “Right you are, ma’am,” replied Maclean.

  “You too, Tracey.”

  “Yes, Sheriff,” she replied, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

  Maclean climbed the ladder in the back of the gym to the roof, and sat down next to Sam and Reba. “Any more nasties on the screen?”

  “No, sir,” said Reba.

  “Jim, was that Bill Scott and Sean McCartney’s vehicle?” asked Sam.

  “Yes, and before you ask, I’m sorry to say that they’re both dead,” said Maclean.

  Sam’s lower lip trembled. “I’d known them both for years. Bill used to take me fishing when my
mom wasn’t around. It’s hard to believe they’re gone.”

  Maclean placed an arm around Sam and pulled him in close. “Son, these things happen. How we deal with death helps define who we are. What I need you and Reba to do is stay sharp and keep an eye out. We can’t afford for one of those things to get past us.”

  Sam stood and gripped his rifle tight in his hands, his expression cold. “I hope they try. I haven’t killed enough of the feathered bastards yet.”

  Chapter 47

  With each step they took, the entrance to the mine grew closer. It soon took on the appearance of a gateway to hell.

  Grant walked with his hands tied behind his back. He had the disconcerting feeling as if he were being marched to his execution. Behind him were Max and Carter, with their weapons trained on him.

  “I’m curious, how did you know to come here?” said Grant over his shoulder.

  “We followed the big alien’s tracks,” explained Max. “After we hightailed it away from the fight at the old man’s house, we hid in the woods and watched the creature run by us. We decided to screw you over and borrow your car. We used it to follow the alien. His tracks are hard not to miss.”

  Grant glanced down, and sure enough, a trail of large footprints headed toward the mine. “Aren’t you worried that you’re walking into a trap? The big bastard could be waiting in the shadows to kill us all the second he sees us.”

  “What I’d like you to do is shut your mouth,” snapped Max. “No more talking.”

  Grant’s mind was a whirl. He had to escape before it was too late. However, he just didn’t know how he was going to pull it off without getting shot in the back.

  At the opening to the mine, Grant stopped. There was a cold, unwelcoming feeling in the air. He turned to face Max. “You know; I’ve got a really bad feeling about this. Are you sure you still want to go in there?”

  “Quit stalling,” said Max. “We’re not going to turn back now.”

  “Okay, but it looks pretty dark in there. I hope you were smart enough to bring along some flashlights.”

  “We’re not a pair of idiots, Captain,” replied Max.

  The next thing Grant knew, he was pushed from behind into the mine. He had to watch his footing, as the ground slanted downward and there were several large rocks in his path. Grant came to a sliding halt right next to the narrow rail tracks which had been used decades ago to bring the ore carts in and out of the mine. The ground was covered with shattered lanterns, old, broken tools, and wooden support beams for the roof from the time when the mine was still active.

  “Carter, take the lead,” ordered Max. “Captain, if you so much as look sideways I won’t hesitate to blow your head off.”

  “I’m not here to tell you how to do your job, but don’t you think it would be better to confirm if the women who were with me about thirty minutes ago are still alive?” said Grant. “The only tracks I see on the ground clearly belong to the general.”

  Max shone his light down the tunnel. There was only a single set of tracks, leading deeper into the mine.

  Grant could see a flicker of hesitation in Max’s eyes.

  “Boss, he could be right,” said Carter. “Without the other alien to help us, we’re going to come out of this empty-handed.”

  “They could already be here in the mine,” said Max.

  “The tracks say otherwise,” countered Grant, playing for time. He was positive the deeper they went into the mine, the less his chances of escape became.

  “Fine, we’ll wait here for thirty minutes,” said Max. “If they haven’t shown up by then, we’re pushing on. I’m sure there’re things of great technological value we can retrieve from the big alien’s body after we’ve killed him.”

  “Yeah, if he lets you…which I strongly doubt.”

  Carter jammed his pistol in Grant’s face. “That’s enough out of you. Take a seat, shut your mouth, and don’t try any heroics.”

  Grant stepped back against the cool, rock wall and slid down to the ground. He sat silently, watching the two mercenaries as they quietly discussed their next move. The instant he saw he wasn’t being watched, Grant searched the ground behind him with his fingers. He was desperate to find something to cut his bonds. If Nadia and Elena were still alive and on their way to the mine, the last thing he wanted was for them to be killed or taken prisoner, as well. His fingers touched something thin and smooth, with a jagged edge. It wasn’t very sharp but felt like a piece of broken glass. Grant wrapped his fingers around the shard and moved it along until it was touching the rope binding his wrists together. With one eye on the killers, Grant began to saw at his bonds. He prayed he would be able to cut himself free before the women showed up, or his time ran out.

  Chapter 48

  “Uh, guys, I think I’ve got something,” said Reba.

  Maclean, Tibeluk, and Hayes walked over and looked down at the monitor’s screen. “What did you see?” asked Maclean.

  “In the woods, just to the west of us, I’m certain I saw some of those birds creeping toward the school.”

  “Use the thermal camera,” suggested Hayes.

  “I’m not sure where that is,” replied Reba, looking confused at all the buttons on the controller.

  Maclean placed a hand on Hayes’ shoulder. “Why don’t you take a seat right next to Reba and help her use your gadget to its fullest.”

  “Yes, of course,” said Hayes, sitting down. He smiled at Reba and pointed at the button to switch the camera from normal to thermal imaging.

  “Whoa,” remarked Maclean, when a large, white blob appeared on the screen. “There’s got be a dozen or more of them down there.”

  “Sam, time to switch locations,” said Tibeluk, as she picked up her shotgun and ran to the western edge of the roof.

  Maclean jogged over, and saw that the distance from the edge of the woods to the school was less than thirty meters. He shook his head. If all the birds rushed at once, it would be near impossible to bring them all down before they reached the school.

  “Sergeant, they’re coming,” shouted out Hayes.

  Maclean looked at his compatriots. “Don’t get fancy. One shot, one kill. After you fire on one of the beasts, don’t wait to see if you’ve dropped it. Switch targets and keep firing until they’re all dead. Got it?”

  “Got it,” replied Sam. He licked his dry lips and brought up his rifle to his shoulder.

  “Here they come,” said Tibeluk, just as the horde of predators burst from the cover of the woods and ran toward the school. She pulled back on the trigger of her shotgun. With a loud boom, the shotgun slug flew straight into the chest of an onrushing terror bird, stopping it cold in its tracks.

  Maclean flipped his MP7’s selector switch to automatic and fired along the line of charging beasts. Like the Grim Reaper’s scythe, the bullets tore through the flesh of the lead animals, killing or badly wounding them.

  As fast as he could fire and reload, Sam selected his targets with ruthless efficiency, and killed everything he aimed at.

  Within seconds, there was a line of dead and dying creatures. None had made it closer than ten meters from the school. The smell of cordite hung in the air.

  Maclean lowered his submachine gun, ejected the empty magazine, and inserted a full, forty-round clip.

  A couple of the birds tried standing, but were finished off by Sam and Tibeluk. Silence descended on the horrific field of battle.

  “Is that it?” said Tibeluk, lowering her shotgun.

  “Doc, Reba, any more signals hidden in the woods?” asked Maclean.

  “No, it looks like you killed them all,” responded Hayes.

  “Thank God for that,” said Tibeluk, wiping the sweat from her glistening brow.

  “Was that all of them, Jim?” asked Sam.

  “I don’t think so,” Maclean replied. “I wish it were, but we saw dozens of destroyed cages at Sparks’ home. I hate to say it, but we’ve probably only killed a third of what’s out there.” Maclea
n stepped back from the edge of the roof, and turned around. He was about to take a walk around the entire perimeter of the roof, when a shot cut through the air. Maclean spun around and rushed to bring his MP7 up to his shoulder.

  One of the birds had been playing dead and waited for the right moment to strike. With a loud cry, it jumped to its feet and sprinted forward. Sam’s shot struck the animal in its right shoulder, but passed straight though. The beast didn’t even flinch. Driven on by gut instinct and an insatiable hunger, it kept charging to where it could smell its prey.

  Maclean rushed to get a shot off, but the animal ran headfirst into a window, and smashed it with its head. In the blink of an eye, it was gone. “Stay here,” said Maclean to his two companions. He had to get below before the creature found a way into the gymnasium and began to feast. With his heart pounding in his ears, Maclean placed his hands and feet on the outside of the ladder and slid all the way to the bottom. He ran through the gym, dodging people who tried to stop him to find out what was going. Maclean kicked open a set of doors near where he had last seen the predator, and rushed out into the hallway with his MP7 ready to fire.

  The corridor was empty.

  “What the hell’s going on?” asked Black, running to catch up with him.

  Maclean brought a finger up to his lips and pointed down the hallway.

  Black removed her pistol from its holster.

  With Maclean leading, they edged down the corridor. As they moved past the shattered door, they saw a trail of blood on the floor. A second later, a horrified scream filled the air. Maclean took off running. He turned the corner and saw a man on the floor with his arm clenched tight in the beak of a terror bird, being thrown around as if he were a child’s toy.