by GARY DARBY
Tor’al waded into the beasts, and with each stride, each high arc of his sword he chanted:
I am Tor’al of the Star Rider Clan
Son of El’bay, father of To’ran
Death is upon me, death is near
Courage is mine, I have no fear
My eyes will close, I will face the long night
But all is well, I have fought the good fight
I have met my enemy, my deadly foe
Bloodied my sword, given him woe
Seared his memory, with anguish and pain
Flee he will, and not come again
The price is dear, but I freely give
That you, the Sha’anay may forever live
Remember me now, my family, my friends
For truly a life well remembered, never ends.
On the ground, El’am gasped in disbelief from the deep rumbling that came from the Mongan cruiser. The engines were powering to life.
His eyes widening in understanding, he drew his sword and delivered a lethal blow to the unconscious canine. He pivoted and ran, pushing his way through brush and grass.
Behind him, the giant Mongan warship rose from the ground, gaining momentum as it sped upward into the night sky. Higher and higher rose the craft, its engines laboring against the planet’s gravitational pull.
A minute later, El’am stopped and peered into the night sky to see a single, long contrail, like a white ribbon against the nebula’s dark curtain, streak straight upward into the heavens.
El’am followed the trail, but the ship vanished against the nebula’s gray-green glow. For several minutes, he stared upward at where the massive ship had disappeared wondering what had happened to his brave companions and especially to Elder Tor’al.
He was about to turn away and begin his long journey when his eyes caught movement far up in the sky.
Intently watching, he suddenly gave a start. It was the Mongan ship, but instead of soaring higher in the upper atmosphere, the giant vessel now slowed and began to drop downward.
El’am’s mouth sagged open while he watched the ship loom larger and larger. It seemed to be following its own glowing vapor trail but not in a gentle descent as if in landing but with each second, it appeared to accelerate.
In a long arc, the ship flew through the air before abruptly, the vessel dove straight down toward the lake’s shiny surface. Down it plummeted toward the large lake’s still waters.
Just before the craft crashed into the rock-hard water, large chunks of metal split off the ship as if the terrible velocity was shaking the ship apart.
Then, with a thundering blast, the great ship hit the water, sending a colossal column of liquid hundreds of meters into the air. Explosion after explosion rocked the water as the ship disappeared under the churning liquid that marked its fiery death dive.
El’am stood transfixed for long minutes watching the water surge and boil from enormous underwater detonations. After several minutes, the explosions slowed and then stopped, and the roiled water began to calm.
Knowing that no living thing could survive such a crash, El’am bowed his head in deep sadness and reverence at the sacrifice of his fellow Sha’anay warriors.
He raised his sword in a final salute and with a fierce snarl said, “I will remember . . . I will remember.”
Chapter Five
Star date: 2443.070
The Alpha Prime Planet, the Helix Nebula
“Are you absolutely sure, Dason?” Star Scout Jadar Marrel asked. “The tactical teams are reporting that this range of hills is riddled with these dry caves. They’re very similar in appearance, and some are full of croc-lizards.”
Dason had seen the reports too, but he only had to take one look at the semi-arched and darkened opening before the memories came flooding back.
In his mind’s eye he could see them: Shanon and Sami protecting the little Mongan and then the croc-lizard attack that sent all three plunging into the dark and impenetrable abyss like helpless dolls.
Swallowing, he took a deep breath, willing his mind to turn away from hearing Shanon’s final and heart-searing scream of Dason!
He’d listened to that scream, her voice over and over in his mind and each time, it was like a knife-sharp shard of ice that penetrated his heart, the cold sapping all his strength, leaving him lost and forlorn.
The downed tree that lay crooked and tangled across the entrance left no doubt in his mind. “Yes sir,” he replied, willing himself to answer his uncle in a steady tone.
He wouldn’t, couldn’t show anyone how returning to this place was like he was caught again in the raging chute of water, his emotions being tossed and slammed about as if he again tumbled out of control in that torrent.
“That’s it,” he acknowledged, pointing at the dark portal. “That’s where Alena and I came out of the cave system. I set a climbing hook into that log, and we used it as an anchor to pull ourselves up.”
Gesturing toward the dusky opening, he explained, “There’s a scree slope starting at the entrance that goes down about five or six meters. It ends in a depression that’s about twenty or so meters wide and that’s where the slug creatures congregated.”
He tightened his torso vest, turned to his uncle and said, “If the creatures are still there, we’ll have to chance the ledge that runs off to the left before we can get to the passageway that leads deeper into the hill.”
At the mention of the gelatinous organisms, Dason shuddered slightly, recalling how close Alena had come to falling into the pit that held the flesh-dissolving creatures.
Not to mention, how close he had come to sliding down the scree slope into that same mass of undulating jellylike things.
Only a last-second throw of the rope from Alena had saved him. However, that was days ago. Now, thanks to his uncle, he was back on the Alpha Prime planet trying to find clues that would confirm his unshakeable belief that his four teammates, Shanon, Nase, TJ, and Sami were alive.
Though he believed that most of Star Scout Command discounted his story that the four scouts, along with the Mongan aliens, had somehow teleported out of harm’s way, Dason had no doubt in his mind that was what had happened.
What he didn’t know was if he would find the proof on the planet, but he couldn’t turn his back on them.
Scouts didn’t leave scouts behind.
His uncle nodded at him and turned back to the scouter’s control panel to touch the communication button. “This is Lieutenant Colonel Marrel.”
“Go ahead, sir,” a voice replied.
“Zephyr six alpha will be touching down at search point twenty-three, grid beta one seven. My team is going underground and will most likely be out of communication for some time. However, Colonel Tuul will remain with the craft and monitor comms.”
“Copy that. We have you on the op's board at search point two-three, grid beta one seven. Communication will be patched through Colonel Tuul to you.”
“Roger. Marrel out.”
Jadar maneuvered the craft a little closer to the dark opening and then set the ship down on its landing tripods. He turned to Shar and said, “Hold the fort down, sir.”
“Will do,” Shar returned. “Be careful down there, and remember we’re on a tight schedule.”
Leaning closer so that only Jadar could hear, he whispered, “Remember that the general went way out on a limb to let him return so be darn careful down there.”
Jadar’s eyes hardened and he replied quietly through tight lips, “You don’t have to remind me, sir, I heard his orders, too.”
The two locked eyes before Jadar eased his rigid stance, and he clapped Shar on the shoulder. “I’ll bring him back safe and sound, I promise.”
Dason was a little more than bemused at the fact that both his uncle and Colonel Shar Tuul, Star Scout Command’s just appointed chief of staff, second only to General Rosberg in authority, were his personal escorts to the planet.
To some degree, he understood having his uncle
along, but not Colonel Tuul. For some reason, being around someone as high on the command structure as Colonel Tuul made him uneasy.
However, a newly minted Star Scout, like him, and only a few days old in the Star Scout Corps didn’t and wouldn’t question why the Colonel Tuul had chosen to make the trip.
Behind him, a team of five Star Scouts moved toward the airlock and waited for orders. Jadar raised himself from the pilot’s chair and spoke to the group.
“No need to rehash the entire mission brief, just keep in mind that we’re here for a search and save, so no sightseeing going in or coming out.”
Giving Dason a sideways glance, he went on, “But since we are not positive that there is anyone to save, I want everyone focused on watching out for each other, so that we don’t end up on the receiving end of an ‘S and S’ mission ourselves.”
He paused for a second before saying, “Colonel Tuul will stay with the scouter and monitor comms. I remind everyone that we know of several alien species in this area that possess lethal qualities.”
Gesturing toward Dason, he instructed, “Once at the cave entrance we’ll take our cues from Scout Thorne. Questions?”
Seeing none, he nodded toward a nearby scout and said, “Okay, LT, take your team out.”
While the scouts filed through the now open airlock, Jadar reached out to hold Dason back for a second. “Dason, I know how deep your feelings run on this, but remember, I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Our teams haven’t found anyone yet.”
Dason returned his uncle’s frank stare. “I know. But, I can’t help this feeling that they’re very much alive.”
Letting his gaze drop, he added, “And I realize that there’s a possibility that we’ll find evidence that says that they’re not.”
He raised his head and screwed his mouth up a little. “It’s just that I’ve got to see that evidence for myself.”
Jadar nodded in an understanding manner, knowing just how many times that he too, had gone in search of lost teammates.
“Okay, but just remember that we are here by special dispensation from General Rosberg. If he pulls the plug on us and orders us back to Terra, we will boost out of here immediately, and without question. Got it?”
“I understand, sir.”
“The truth is,” Jadar said, “you shouldn’t be here. What you have going on in that head of yours is way more valuable than one more scout on this planet.”
He put a hand on Dason’s shoulder and held it there for a moment. “However, General Rosberg felt that we owed it to you so that you might get at least a little closure on what happened to your teammates.
“Plus, it might jog some more memories—more images of potentially lost scouts and that in and of itself would be worth the risk.”
Dason glanced down at the vessel’s deck plate, averting his uncle’s direct stare. “I know, Uncle Jadar, and I appreciate what the general has done.
“But, like I’ve told you and everyone else, there’s nothing more I can share. I’ve described all the images, and I’ve gone over every second and minute that we were in contact with the XTs a hundred times now. There’s just no more to tell.”
Jadar peered at Dason with an impassive face. “Okay Dason,” he replied, “for now, that’s where we’ll leave it.
“Nonetheless, just keep in mind that Star Scout Command believes that there is just a chance that with a few more sessions, we might find out more. So we’ll make the rounds here, but once we’re done, we boost for Earth. Understood?”
Dason brought his eyes up. “Understood, sir.”
Jadar glanced toward the pilot pod where Shar Tuul had been listening to the conversation. He gave a short nod to Jadar and turned back to the control board.
With a light touch, Jadar slapped Dason on the shoulder. “You all cinched up and ready to go?”
“Ready, sir.”
“Good. Let’s get some boots on the ground.”
Dason followed his uncle down the airlock ramp. At the bottom, Jadar stood next to him, hesitated before reaching out with an arm to drape it around his shoulders.
Dason gave Jadar a questioning look and was surprised to see real emotion in his uncle’s eyes.
Jadar cleared his throat and said with a catch in his voice, “For what it’s worth, Dason, I’m proud to walk this trail with you. It may turn out to be short; nevertheless, it’s a great feeling.”
Dason stood motionless, feeling not only the strength in his uncle’s arm, but the familial warmth and acceptance that the simple act represented. Neither spoke until Jadar cocked his head toward Dason and said firmly, “Let’s do this, scout.”
Dason nodded and crossed the short expanse to stand near the cave’s entrance. Jadar followed close behind while the other scouts fanned out to each side.
Two had their LifeSensors out, while the others stood with weapons drawn. With practiced ease, their eyes searched the sky, peered at the short grass that marched up to the cave, and scanned the brush and tall trees of the nearby woodland.
Jadar glanced at Dason, gave him a small nod, and with that, Dason drew his laz-gun and with careful steps, moved into the ragged entrance.
He snapped on his vest lights, waited for his eyes to adjust, and scanned the gravel-covered slope that led to the small room where the massed creatures had lain before.
Empty!
Dason swung his lights around the chamber, checking the ceiling and the sidewalls to make sure none of the creatures lurked above or clung to the rough, dark stone walls. His vest lights showed nothing but vacant rock and dirt.
“They’re gone,” he said over his shoulder.
“Either this was a nesting ground,” Jadar observed, “and they’ve moved out to hunt for food, or they’ve gone farther back into the cave system.”
Raising his eyebrows, he muttered, “Let’s hope it’s the former and not the latter.”
With a gesture toward the cave he said, “Either way, it makes for an easier approach into the tunnel system.”
Dason slipped and slid his way down the graveled slope, followed by the other Star Scouts in quick fashion. Once at the bottom, a porta-ladder made easy work of the small cliff leading up to the entrance passageway.
Standing before the dark opening, Jadar sighed loudly, “Never did like underground work, much prefer being on top of the dirt instead of under the stuff.”
He turned and said, “Lieutenant, have the heavy weapons up front with Scout Thorne and me. You take our six. Leave one scout here in case Colonel Tuul needs to reach us.”
Lieutenant Nomar nodded and motioned for the two scouts carrying the blasium-charged disrupters to fall in behind Jadar and Dason.
Instead of shooting a straight-line energy burst, blasium disrupters discharged a ringlike pulse of energy that vaporized any living thing caught within the lethal radius.
Only on the most dangerous worlds did Star Scouts carry such a destructive weapon, and they only did so now because of the potential threat from the Mongans on the Alpha Prime planet.
A menace that had not materialized since the scouts hadn’t found any sign of Mongans, or Sha’anay, for that matter. It was if both extraterrestrial races had disappeared from the planet and the surrounding interstellar space.
Jadar gave a little nod to Dason and said, “Move out, scout.”
Dason scooted forward, his lights casting sharp shadows that seemed to bounce from wall to wall in the tunnel’s twisting turns.
Every so often, he called a halt, listening for the unmistakable pattering of claws on hard granite; the sharp hissing from fang-lined mouths that would announce a horde of croc-lizards coursing toward them in the darkness.
However, no such sounds came as they traversed the passageway, raising Dason’s hopes that they would be able to do their work unmolested by the nasty beasts. They reached the fork between the two tunnels and stopped.
A pungent odor of decaying, rotten flesh wafted on the soft air currents in the gloomy channel.
&
nbsp; Dason turned to his uncle and gestured, “We go to the right; the pit is about twenty meters from this junction. I would suggest that we leave two of the team here as listening posts and to cover our rear while the rest of us go on.”
Jadar motioned for Nomar, and one of the weapon scouts to remain at the junction. “You two stay here, you know what to listen for, right?”
“Yes sir,” Nomar replied, “a hissing sound, something like when you light the fuse on a firecracker.”
“But about ten times louder,” Dason remarked in a knowing tone.
Leaving those two to safeguard their only exit, Dason led his uncle and the remaining two scouts farther into the tunnel. They had gone but a few steps when the croc-lizards’ grisly remains from their cannibalistic feast shone in their stark lights.
Remnants of flesh and splintered bones littered the floor, covering the surface from one wall to the other. With each step, their trail boots trod on brownish bones that crunched and popped under their weight, the sound reverberating through the tunnel.
Moments later, they stood on the same ledge where Dason, Alena, Shanon, and Sami had made their courageous stand against the croc-lizards.
The very place where Dason had watched helplessly as Shanon, Sami, and the Mongan extraterrestrial plunged headfirst into the maw of the pit’s black oblivion.
Jadar leaned out over the rim and directed his vest lights straight downward. Even at their highest power, the lights didn’t show the cavity’s bottom.
Jadar glanced at Dason and said, “Let’s get busy.”
Off came their backpacks. Dason brought out four mini-hovers from his pack while Jadar pulled out a small, flat panel that held the controls for the hovercraft.
With practiced ease, Dason inspected the sensor package on each flyer, rotated their hover blades to ensure they turned without difficulty, and turned on their minuscule power plants.
“Gyro’s synched,” he said, “sensors at max, blades in free mode, power on. They’re ready.”
Jadar nodded and said, “Stand by for launch.”
He paused after inputting several commands into the small console and said, “Okay, they accepted the search program. Stand back, we’re ready.”