I know, Holly replied and glanced at her companion. His usual clean—face had stubble growing and the unkempt short hair seemed to compliment his tanned features. He'd be slightly taller than her but heavier, probably close to ninety kilograms. I've been amazed since I've got to know her. The clickers executed her family, you know.
No I didn't Graham replied with concern in his quiet voice. Why?
Holly repeated everything she knew. I told the Inner Circle I believe the ruthlessness comes from their rulers, not because an intelligent species evolved from insects is incapable of human values. Jaddig seems to have every emotion we have; loyalty, honor, care for others... she shrugged. She even has a partner she appears to be in love with. Holly continued speaking while Graham added a brief comment or question every so often but mainly listened. What was a hated enemy is now a friend sleeping across the cab from us, she concluded and smiled at the man beside her, but I do get carried away, don't I?
Not at all, Graham smiled. I agree with everything you say. He stared out at the damp road before continuing. Our ancestors were no better. When I was little, my grandfather used to tell me stories passed onto him. Our family lived in a continent called Europe and every twenty or thirty years, it seemed there was a war somewhere with cruelty and mass killings, He shrugged, and that was between humans. There were no clickers on the planet.
Perhaps if the situation was reversed humans would be the same, Holly changed a gear and slowed at a corner.
Graham frowned. What do you mean, Holly?
Perhaps our kind back where we came from are as bad as the clickers. What would they do if a hundred clickers landed a spaceship and began to build a strange town with krintons and aphrins replacing the cattle and cows? Would they ruthlessly try to eliminate them like the clickers have attempted to do with us?
But we aren't as cruel with no regard for individual rights. Look at Jaddig here. You said she was forced to become a egg producer and only the war stopped her being imprisoned like a sex slave. He shuddered.
Are humans really any better?
I don't really know. There's too little information. The Survival of Humanity Protocol was good at binding us together but I think those earlier generations suppressed too much information about where we came from and who we were.
So you think it is time for it to be updated, a sort of Survival of Humanity Protocol, but don't forget where we came from, document.
Exactly, replied Graham.
We think alike, Graham Whitmore, Holly replied. Somehow her male companion made her feel all warm inside. Their eyes met in the darkness and they both smiled.
I'll drive soon, he offered. You must be tired.
Okay, Holly laughed. Give me half and hour.
Outside the lights of various farm buildings were becoming more spaced out. Ahead, according to Jaddig, was hill country similar to that around New Seattle. Holly's thoughts became sad. The only place she had known was now gone and they were deep in enemy territory chasing what could just be a dream.
She glanced at Graham who had gone quiet. She noticed he had an arm around the sleeping clicker whose head had flopped into his chest and was asleep as well. Holly grinned and reached for the thermos sitting in a metal box on the dashboard. She was sure there was some coffifake left. The rain outside had stopped but water still swished up from the tires and the motor had become a rumble in the background as if Charlie was at peace with the world.
She drove for an hour until, with her eyelids heavy, she opened a vent so cool air kept her awake, but it was becoming harder. The flat country had gone and they were now driving through black hills.
My turn, said a voice that made her jump.
She turned to see Graham smiling at her.
Okay, she answered, pulled over and opened the door. A cold breeze hit her face but that was what she needed. In a deft movement she climbed down onto the road and glanced around. There were dark trees opposite and the sweet smell of pines whiffed by her nose. The place was like home.
Climb in through the driver's side so we don't awaken Jaddig, Graham said and Holly realized he was standing next to her.
Yes, sure, she muttered, the spell broke, and she scrambled back in the cab and across to the middle seat beside her friend.
Graham followed and soon they were on their way again. Holly tried to chat but sleep caught up and she found herself in a dream of childhood. She was ten and it was her birthday...Warm memories helped her body relax and prepare for what was to come in the morning.
Jaddig awoke, all stiff and lethargic to silence. She frowned, shook her head and stared around. The combo's motor had stopped and it was dawn. They were in a forest clearing with a small building tucked under the trees. The crucnon smiled for she knew where they were. Charlie was parked in one of the campgrounds that littered her country and the building was an ablution block.
She felt cold and checked a small gauge on her lower right wrist. The body suit's battery had run low. No wonder she was so slow. Without more warmth she could barely function.
Are you okay, Jaddig? Holly's face appeared beside her. You look terrible.
It's just our species, Jaddig replied. If our body temperature drops below twenty degrees of your Celsius temperature we begin to slow down; below about twelve we go into suspended sleep. That's why we need the body suit in the colder climates. When I put the new one on, I'll be fine. It should have a charged battery. We usually recharge our suits every three days or so.
Holly nodded, crawled over the back and returned with a neatly packed body suit. It was cleaned and repaired back home, she said, handed it to Jaddig and gazed at the building. I'm impressed with the facilities here. There was even hot water and showers.
Good, Jaddig grinned. I'll have one. As soon as I warm up, I'll be fine. She staggered out and waved to the others who were painting out the security signs on Charlie. Now they were in the country an ordinary vehicle would arouse less suspicion.
You ill, Girl? George queried in his usual blunt manner and grunted when she re-examined her metabolism.
Does that affect your wings, too? The man added. They look droopy.
You are observant, Jaddig appeared embarrassed. No. I'm a winged female who hasn't mated. If this continues my body reverts back to its original status and I lose my ability to fly
And your wings?
They drop off.
Yuck, George replied, Is that painful?
No more than you cutting your hair every morning. She grinned at his clean—face. Tell me, why do males grow hair on the bottom of their faces and females don't?
George shrugged. That's just us, I guess. Men and women have different bodies.
Exactly, Jaddig replied. Crucnon are the same. When I lose my wings, I'll still be female but won't be an egg layer. She sighed. I can't wait. Males for mating purposes often subject winged females to violent attacks while ordinary females are usually left alone.
She smiled and continued her slow walk to the ablution block.
After a rejuvenated Jaddig returned in the heated suit and a hot breakfast was appreciated by all, Charlie's fuel tank was filled and they were on their way again. Within a few kilometers, the windy road straightened out on a plateau but the forest continued with all views hidden except a strip of gray sky above. In the first hour they passed only three vehicles, square shaped like Charlie but smaller in size and painted bright colors.
Cars, Jaddig, who was driving, muttered as she waved at the vehicle that roared pass. Ranchers going to town for supplies. I guess the war doesn't mean much up here.
Five minutes later, the attack came!
Without warning, a screaming whistle filled the air and the ground ahead erupted in an explosion. Soil, grass and gigantic flames shot in the air to be followed, microseconds later by the discharge of thunder and a blast of hot stinking gas. Screams rent the air as Jaddig braked and managed to halt their vehicle before it reached the sheet of flames bellowing higher than the trees.
Another one's coming! screamed Graham.
Holly stared up and saw another clicker flapping in towards them with a long cylinder clutched in her four arms.
Drive into the forest! George yelled but Jaddig had a different idea. She stared at Holly and yelled. Take over!
The combo stopped, the driver's door flung open and Jaddig stood up so only her legs could be seen.
No! screamed Holly but it was too late. Jaddig flapped her wings and rose into the air just as the second winged clicker dropped her bomb.
A terrible scream followed and another gigantic explosion followed fifty meters back. Once again, the ground erupted and noise made the human's ears ring. A second deluge of earth and paving stone pelted Charlie's roof but no other harm was done.
George frowned and stared at Graham. How could she have missed? he barked.
Hell, I don't know, the bowman retorted.
Holly, meanwhile, had taken over the driving and bumped Charlie off the road. She scraped in between two trees and stalled the motor again; doors flung open and the four humans aboard evacuated. After a mad scramble, they arrived in a tiny dip behind a patch of scrub together.
Where's Jaddig? Holly panted.
Everyone peeped out above the foliage. The second bomb had torn a gigantic hole in the road. Flames and black smoke poured out while the first, only meters away was now just a hot crater of burnt grass and blackened soil.
I don't know, Graham muttered. There are three of them circling around up there. One's Jaddig but They're too similar to tell who is who.
George rose to a crouch and used his hand to shade the sun from his eyes as he stared at the three clickers flying like gigantic dragonflies above the trees. It's all wrong, he muttered.
For God's sake! snapped Holly. What are you going on about, George? Her face was taut and expression wild.
Look at those bomb craters, the sergeant replied. One only had to be near Charlie and we would have been done for. With that power and Charlie's tanks exploding, there was no way we would have survived. Yet, not one but both bombs were well away from us.
Perhaps they're just poor at aiming, Graham suggested.
With the training clickers give their troops, George snorted. No way!
Holly, though, could now see George's reasoning. In theory they should all be dead in the smoking hulk of the bombed out vehicle. You mean, they missed on purpose? she asked.
I'd say so, George replied. And look at those clickers up there. Are they fighting?
Everyone focused on the three creatures above. It was still impossible to tell which one was Jaddig but they certainly didn't seem to be attacking or defending one another.
They're flying in circles, Suzi observed. Surely the attackers would fly away or attack Jaddig. She stood up. I'll go and get the field glasses out of the combo. We need a closer look.
When Jaddig flew up from the combo her one aim was to attack the incoming bombardier. If the bomb landed near Charlie all her human friends would be killed. There was no chance for them. Within seconds she was above the trees but still below the incoming female when the second bomb was released.
You bastard! Jaddig screamed in her own language but her words were cut off by the explosion. A second later, superheated flames hit her and propelled her straight up, rolled her over and flung her sideways like a twig in a storm. Hot gas pelted her skin and she couldn't breathe, her eyes smarted and tears streamed down her face. The world below blurred and she felt herself dropping. The young winged Crucnon almost lost consciousness but her mind fought to maintain control.
I must fly, she groaned to herself and began to flap. Her wings ached and spasms of pain jolted her slim body but, just before plummeting into the firs below, she gained momentum, her body leveled off and slowly, ever so slowly, she began to rise.
She was terrified. There was two of her kind around. One quick kick in the head or thorax and she'd crash. She regretted her stupid reaction to fly but it was too late now. She blinked tears from her eyes and flapped harder. Something was wrong! Excruciating pain, like she'd never felt before almost incapacitated her.
You're burnt, a soft voice called from nearby. Go into a glide and you'll be okay.
Jaddig stared sideways and gasped in alarm. A winged female was flying beside her but unexpectedly she did not look aggressive. In fact, the face showed concern. As Jaddig gained control over her emotions and body something else totally unexpected happened. The female flew close, poked a small hexagonal card in her hand and retreated flew a few meters away.
A hexagon, the sign for danger!
Though still suffering from spasms of agony, Jaddig managed to glance down and read the writing. We are your friends and have come to warn you of danger, the note read. Please do not talk but wave if you are Jaddig Qarte.
Jaddig frowned and glanced around. She was about fifty meters above the firs and could see Charlie partly hidden below. Closer, though, both females were keeping pace with her but there was no sign of aggression. She swallowed and gave a brief wave.
The first female smiled and pointed to the ground. They wanted her to land. Jaddig frowned. Oh well, she was as safe on the ground as up here. Probably safer! But no, there could be males waiting in the forest to attack her.
She was about to speak but remembered the note, shook her head and pointed towards the combo. At the same time she altered her wing angle and dipped around so she was heading back. She could see her friends in a gully and the sun flashed off something. Of course, someone was using field glasses to watch them. She waved, gave a timid smile and continued down. Every nerve in her body, though, was on edge and she still expected to be attacked from behind; but it didn't come.
One female flew away but the second, the one who had handed her the note followed her down.
Jaddig landed beside Charlie to see the humans, all armed with vicious cross bows ready to fire at the strangers. I am okay, she whispered as her feet touched soft grass.
Like hell you are, Holly snorted. You're burnt!
She rushed up and Jaddig felt warm human arms around her and someone else tucked a blanket over her wings and shoulders. She stared into Holly's fearful eyes and, without speaking handed the hexagonal card to her. Holly glowered and handed it on to Suzi who frowned as she mentally digested the contents.
Meanwhile, the stranger stood with her wings folded and arms held wide while Graham had his crossbow aimed directly at her and George searched the sky for the second winged female.
Suzi reached in her pocket, extracted a pen, wrote some Vybber words down and handed it to the stranger who nodded and wrote another note on the back. Suzi nodded and walked away, turned and indicated the others they should follow.
Graham remained to guard the female while the others gathered around Suzi back at the Combo. She says your body suit is wired so everything you say is transmitted back to their headquarters by radio, Suzi whispered.
A radio? Holly asked with a frown. What's that?
A top secret device that sends voices electronically through the air, George explained. Our ancestors had them.
The suit I am wearing is not mine, Jaddig gasped. I changed this morning. Do they all have radios?
I don't know, Suzi replied, but where is your suit.
In the dirty clothes basket.
Holly grunted. I'll remove it, she snapped. Go and write our visitor another note asking if all suits have this radio thing in them.
Suzi and Jaddig nodded and walked back to where the scared but dignified stranger sat on the ground. Jaddig smiled and handed her the note.
No, they are not, the crucnon replied. Mine is also disconnected. It is safe to talk as long as we are away from the wired
suit.
I think it is safe, Holly said to Graham, but keep an eye out just in case.
Right, the bowman replied. His stance was professional and tone serious. The crossbow lowered but the arrow remained in place. Eyes bore into the visitor.
My name is Bikut Kegning, the female began. In appearance she was similar to Jaddig but smaller and probably younger with a face like that of a human teenager. I am sorry about the bombing but were ordered to destroy your combo. We needed to attract your attention so dropped our bombs close.
You managed to do that very successfully, Jaddig retorted, but what's all this bit about the radio.
All flying females have their body suits wired with a built in radio. Everything said is transmitted back to security headquarters. That is how they knew you had surrendered to the humans.
So there was no spy, Holly gasped.
And I was the reason my family was executed, Jaddig whispered.
I am afraid so, replied Bikut. All conversations you had while wearing your body suit would have been overheard. I have fitted a device to mine to turn it off when I don't want my voice transmitted.
Jaddig frowned. Why are you risking this? she asked.
The Blue Watch, Bikut said in a whisper. I have not met your friend, Birobi Osyjil, but was approached by an acquaintance of his to help when we were brought in to assassinate you all. She grimaced. You were lucky at the river. The Military Security Command was ten minutes behind you when the pontoon bridge blew up stranding them on your country's side.
Clay! gasped Holly.
George who had joined the group nodded. I thought he might manage to get it blown, he muttered.
Bikut nodded grimly. They executed the colonel who let you through, for failing in his duty. He was a family friend.
I'm sorry, Holy replied.
As Jaddig knows, our rulers are ruthless the clicker replied. This morning we were sent out to find you and we did. She grimaced. You'd be dead if we'd wanted it so.
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