FALLEN STARS: DARKEST DAYS (THE STAR SCOUT SAGA Book 2)

by GARY DARBY

  Dason gave the hill another look before saying, “TJ, you and Alena, see if you can get the Kerebs up that while Shanon and I stay back and cover you from here. Once you’re at the top, we’ll hike up while you cover us.”

  Sami led the way up, with TJ prodding the little aliens. For some reason, they seemed more pliable, and they had decreased the volume of discussion. Alena followed behind in stony silence.

  Dason and Shanon took up positions to both scrutinize the hillside and watch for movement upstream. Every once in a while, Dason would glance over his shoulder to monitor the group’s advance.

  It was slow going, especially for the little XTs. Not only did they have to do switchbacks, at times they had to grab a tree root or brush limb to pull themselves up the hill’s steep flank.

  What Sami had climbed up and down in ten minutes, took the little group close to a half hour. Finally, after trudging up a final steep slope, one by one they slipped over the hill’s crown and were lost to view.

  “Sami, status?” Dason asked over the communicator.

  “We’re on top,” Sami replied. “It looks clear.”

  “Right. Cover us.” Dason answered.

  He motioned to Shanon, and the two darted up the narrow ravine. They hit the slope running, pushing as hard as they could, very much aware that the Jakuta should be in sight at any minute.

  Which meant that if they could see their pursuers, the Jakuta could see them and would be able to bring their weapons to bear.

  Halfway up, breathing hard, Dason stopped to survey the valley from his high vantage spot. “Look,” he said to Shanon.

  She nodded at the sight of a large group of Jakuta moving in a long line across the valley toward the stream. “Somebody must not be happy; I’d say they’ve turned out the whole garrison.”

  Wiping sweat from her brow, she muttered, “Between those Faction idiots and us, if the Jakuta have the equivalent of a ‘most wanted’ list, humans are probably public enemy number one right now.”

  The sight of the pursuing Jakuta caused the two to push themselves even harder up the slope. Gaining the lip first, Dason reached back and give Shanon a helping hand.

  Once out of sight, both stopped to bend over, hands on knees while they sucked in great draughts of air. As Sami joined them, Dason asked between breaths, “We still in the clear?”

  “Yep,” Sami answered, “but unlike us, it won’t take them long get up the hill.”

  Dason glanced around. The hilltop was indeed very flat and actually formed a small plateau that couldn’t be seen from below.

  “Which way?” Dason questioned.

  “Follow me,” Sami replied.

  Soon, Sami was leading the small group on a weaving path through clumps of short, brushy trees across the small mesa. Several times, they crossed tiny feeder streams that bounced and gurgled their way down to the valley.

  Once, they surprised a small herd of the anteloplike beasts that had taken shelter in a clumping of purple and gray brush. The four-legged creatures sprang from their resting spot and bounded away, their quick running darts interspersed with high leaps that took them several meters into the air.

  Watching the animals dart away, Sami muttered to Dason, “I guess we disturbed their siesta.”

  He jutted his chin in the direction of the fleeing antelopes. “But I do hope there’s no more of them around, they attract some unsavory characters, and I’m not talking about the Jakuta. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I would,” Dason answered. “But this grassland appears to be a natural foraging area and that means—”

  “Come nightfall,” Sami finished for him, “we best find a good hiding spot or our siesta is going to be disturbed.”

  The highland terrain began a gradual downward slope until they came to an open spot where they could overlook the waterway. Sami, having pushed ahead, now reported that the river curved away from the course that the group needed to go.

  Their march had been brisk, never slowing. Dason had pushed them hard, wanting to put as much distance as he could between them and their hunters.

  He called a halt to consider Sami’s report. The Kerebs, breathing in ragged gasps, all but collapsed to the ground.

  TJ, breathing hard herself, said to Dason, “They’re really struggling. It’s obvious they’re not used to this.”

  Gazing into the near distance, Dason replied, “I had planned on crossing the river and making for those higher hills, but I’m not sure that’s going to work. If they’re having trouble with this, it’s doubtful they’re going to be able to climb those slopes.”

  TJ motioned downstream. “If we follow the riverbank, it might curve back around and provide easier passage later on. If not, then we pick our spot to climb over.”

  Dason gave a short nod. “Might work.”

  Through his communicator, he asked, “Sami, anything ahead for crossing the river?”

  “Nothing yet. It’s pretty wide and looks deep.”

  “Okay. We’re going to follow the river a bit for now. Keep looking for a place to cross. I’m moving everyone down closer to the river in case you find a crossing nearby.”

  The group picked their way down the slope until they reached the riverbank. A few minutes later Sami said, “TL, you might want to come forward.”

  “On my way,” Dason replied.

  With quick steps, Dason pushed through lacy, gold-colored bushes that formed an umbrella-like canopy over the waterside. He spotted Sami kneeling by a crooked tree that bowed over the water, its flat, hand-sized leaves dipping into the slow-moving dark liquid.

  Sami motioned for Dason to follow him down almost to the water’s edge. He put out a hand to stop Dason, picked up a long, stout branch, and lifted up several overhanging limbs of a thick, gray-leafed bush.

  On the moist ground lay the mangled carcass of one of a deerlike creatures. Entrails spilled onto the overgrown grass and into the water from the beast’s ripped and torn abdomen and hindquarters. Whatever had taken the buck down had slashed or bitten the animal almost in half.

  Dason scanned the river’s banks both up- and downstream. “I take it you didn’t see what killed this animal?”

  “Nope,” Sami responded. “And I do not want to get a close-up look either.”

  Sharp gouges in the muddy bank outlined the creature’s talons. Dason whistled at how deep the gashes sank into the earth. “This thing must be at least as big as a salt croc back on Earth, maybe bigger.”

  “I’d say a tad or two larger,” Sami replied. He glanced at the woods behind them. “And I hope it’s strictly a water denizen. I’d hate to meet up with it come night time.”

  “Me too,” Dason replied. In unspoken agreement, they backpedaled away from the animal’s remains.

  Dason exhaled in a long sigh. “I don’t think we’re going to cross this stream any time soon.”

  Sami hooked a thumb toward the deer’s mangled remains. “And a good thing it left a calling card or we might have been its next meal.”

  He gestured at the water. “Too bad we aren’t Jesus Lizards and could just run on top of the water to the other side. Knowing what’s in there, I’d be across in about two seconds flat.”

  Chewing on his lower lip, Dason replied, “No lizard feet for me, but I’d take a personal jet pack or hopper about now.”

  Dason eyed the river’s smooth surface. After its leap over the cliff, the water had calmed down and widened. Though it looked peaceful and safe, Dason knew that anything big and fast enough to bag one of the forest bucks was capable of bringing down a human.

  “What do you think, Sami?” he asked. “If we go back, we run the risk of running into the Jakuta.”

  “Yep. Too risky,” Sami answered.

  “If we can’t get across, we may find ourselves boxed in and have to climb out.”

  “Yep. Boxed in for sure.”

  “And swimming to the other side is not an option.”

  “Nope. Swimming is not an option.”
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br />   Dason snorted. “Thanks for the advice.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Dason thought long and hard, not liking any choice he considered. He blew out a breath and said, “Okay, keep going downstream. I’ll let the others know about the carcass and to stay away from the water. Keep looking for a place to cross—a safe place to cross,”he emphasized.

  “On it,” Sami said and trotted away. Dason waited for the others to catch up and described what Sami had found. A few minutes later, they were on the march again.

  The sun had neared late afternoon when Dason heard Sami through his earpiece, “TL, we may have a crossing site.”

  “None too soon,” Dason muttered. They rounded a sharp bend in the river and spotted Sami standing on a high bank overlooking the dark water. The group, minus the Kerebs who again sank to the ground to sit motionless, gathered around Sami to survey the scene.

  A long-ago landslide from the hill’s almost cliff like facing had tossed large boulders into the river. Like stepping stones, the massive rocks formed an uneven and broken natural rock dam across the river.

  The breaks in the rock wall caused the river to form narrow flumes of rushing liquid. Almost in the dam’s middle, the water flowed through a large crack, forming a large chute of racing water.

  Downstream, the water churned through a series of boiling rapids where it crashed against granite-colored boulders, sending up small plumes of foam and spray.

  Dason gestured at the rock bridge. “Looks easy enough,” he observed, “except for that middle part. One slip and—”

  “Yep, one slip,” Sami said, “and you’re in for a wild trip. Kinda reminds me of this one ride at the Greater Sun City water park. You’re about five hundred meters up and—”

  “Sami,” Dason said, “this isn’t some water park ride.”

  “I know. Just wanted to give you some idea of what would happen—”

  “Sami. I can see what would happen.”

  Sami shrugged in response. Dason stated to the others, “We’ll cross here.”

  He motioned toward the rushing water and the crossover site. “TJ, you and Sami go first, we’ll overwatch. When you get to the other side, cover us while we cross.”

  “Can do,” TJ answered and with Sami scampered down to the first flat rock. Balancing on the rocks, with quick steps the two scouts made their way to the middle section. Sami backed up and with a small running start leaped over the rushing flow.

  With her head down and arms pumping, TJ took a running jump over the gushing water and landed next to Sami.

  The two hurried across the last remaining rocks to the far bank and waved, signaling that they were okay. The aliens, watching the two cross the rushing water, began a series of agitated clicks and loud squeaks. It wasn’t hard to guess that they didn’t agree with what they saw and were balking again.

  Alena glanced over at Dason with a questioning expression and back to the aliens. Dason shook his head at her unspoken question. “Shanon and I will handle them.”

  He jerked his head toward the water. “Go ahead.”

  Alena gave a nod and loped down to the rocks to clamber across. Dason waited long enough to make sure she crossed the dangerous center part before turning to Shanon.

  “I don’t think they’re going to move,” she declared. “They’re just sitting there.”

  “They moved before when we left them,” Dason offered. “Let’s see what happens when we both leave.”

  Dason and Shanon headed for the rock bridge, leaving the aliens behind. Dason stopped just short of the first boulder to look back. The Kerebs were now standing and peering toward the rock bridge.

  Then, with an almost humanlike air of resignation, they followed Dason and Shanon down to the rock barrier.

  Gesturing encouragement to the aliens, Shanon and Dason hopped and climbed over the series of granite boulders. When they came to the midpoint and saw the gushing chute, the Kerebs stopped cold.

  Dason stood next to Shanon and said, “Jump.”

  With a running start, Shanon soared over the churning water and landed on the far rock. Turning around, she called out, “What now?”

  “We play catch!” Dason yelled back.

  Her eyes widened in understanding, she braced herself, held out her arms, and nodded that she was ready.

  Dason grabbed one of the unsuspecting aliens and heaved the extraterrestrial toward Shanon. The alien landed almost in Shanon’s arms, only his feet making a small splash in the backed-up pool of water.

  Dragging the Kereb back from the water’s edge, Shanon called over her shoulder, “I’ve got him.”

  Seeing what they were doing, TJ dashed back out onto the rocks to stand across from Dason. She called over, “Shanon will take this one up to the bank. Send the next one to me.”

  As Shanon guided the first Kereb toward the far bank, Dason waited for TJ to get ready. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the remaining XT slowly turn toward him and reach into its flowing garment.

  The alien’s expressionless limpid eyes fixed themselves on Dason and for an instant, Dason had an uneasy feeling about the alien’s actions.

  He wasn’t sure why, but his feeling intensified when the extraterrestrial started to pull a small globe like object out of its robes.

  TJ called over, “Ready.”

  Without hesitating, Dason grabbed the XT and sent him flying over the roaring chute. Landing in an awkward position, the little alien grasped at TJ.

  Caught off balance, TJ slipped on the wet rocks while trying to hold onto the Kereb, and both fell backward into the pool’s deep, dark water.

  It didn’t take but a second for TJ to bob to the surface several meters away from the rock dam. Seconds later, the alien broke the surface but further away. The XT sputtered and flailed, its heavy, soaked robes pulling it down into the water.

  Dason took a running leap and sprang across the watery gap. He knelt on the hard rock and reached out with one hand. “Grab it,” he called out to TJ.

  A shout caused him to turn his head. Sami was scrambling over the rocks, his frenetic arms waving to catch Dason’s attention while he yelled, “Upstream!”

  Dason snapped his head up. A dark, V-shaped ripple was heading toward TJ and the floundering alien. “TJ, get out of the water now!” Dason shouted.

  Instead of reaching for Dason’s hand, TJ took several quick strokes to the flailing XT and grabbed a handful of robe. Swimming with one hand, she strained to pull him toward the rocks.

  In one fluid motion, Dason yanked his field knife out and plunged into the dark water. He broke the water a short distance from the rock wall. He whipped his head around. TJ and the little XT had almost reached the rocks.

  But they were too late.

  The murky water around TJ erupted in a geyser of frothing foam. For a second, the sunlight caused the explosive spray of water to shimmer in a soft blue glow before it dissipated.

  An eel-like head, with a mouth filled with dagger teeth, breached the seething water before it rolled over into the dark waters and disappeared.

  Dason tread water, staring at the wavelets marking the spot where TJ and the alien had struggled to reach safety.

  He felt frozen in place, unable to move. From somewhere, far away, someone yelled. “Dason, get out! It’s coming back!”

  The screams broke his trance and with a powerful kick he swam to the rocks. He could see Sami bouncing across the rocks with Shanon close behind.

  Pulling himself onto the flat boulder, Dason turned with his knife in hand. A blast of water holding a gargoyle head exploded from the bubbling pool.

  The monster reared up and slashed at the young scout. Dason dove to one side, but the creature’s tube-shaped head hit him, sending him spinning over the precipice and into the roiling water chute.

  The churning maelstrom sucked Dason into its watery grasp. The water hurled him from one side of the flume to the other, ripping his breath away.

  Helpless in the
powerful jet, the water slammed Dason into the jutting shoulder of a large boulder. Dazed from the impact, his head swirled from the collision but he managed to surface and suck in a breath.

  Like a bobbing cork, the gushing water carried him over a giant rock, its face worn smooth by the scouring water. He plunged headfirst into a swirling vortex. Caught in the grip of a powerful undertow Dason struggled to reach the surface.

  The churning vortex pulled him deeper and deeper into its shadowy depths. In desperation, he battled the constant suction, trying to reach the surface and air.

  The force of the water slammed him against the rock’s rough exterior before plucking him away again in its swirling funnel.

  For what seemed like ages, Dason fought to rise to the top, but the raging water forced him back down into the inky depths.

  With his strength and breath almost spent, Dason tried one last time to break free of the maelstrom, but the whirlpool sucked him back down and into its powerful grip before spewing him under a massive rock.

  He clawed at the grainy boulder, trying to find a way out of the trap. With a jolt like an immense electrical shock, Dason realized he was drowning, and there was no escape.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Star Date: 2443.063

  Unnamed planet in the Helix Nebula

  Floating in the inky blackness, Dason felt his body being pushed upward in gentle, calm water. Some last spark of consciousness told him that his left arm and hand were feeling air and not water. With a desperate kick upward, he propelled his head out of the water to suck in life-giving quantities of moist, fresh air.

  Coughing and spitting, Dason tread water; his neck arched backward, struggling to breathe, to fill his empty lungs. With one weak hand, he reached out.

  His fingers landed on a solid surface. Tightly grasping the rocky ledge, he turned on his vest lights. Wiping the water from his eyes, he peered around.

  Wet, black walls formed a rough stone bubble just meters above his head. Dason managed to catch a toehold, and pulled himself onto a small rock shelf. The little, craggy domelike cavern seemed devoid of any life.