by John Migacz
CHAPTER 42
Strikedag Tanner’s head pounded. This was one bad hangover. He tried to remember where he had been drinking as his gloved hand rubbed his face. The shock of the glove touching his bare skin jolted his memory.
He remembered the grenade.
Sitting up with a start, a flash of pain washed over him, forcing his eyes closed. He automatically reached for his laser but it was gone.
“At ease, Strikedag, at ease.”
The pain subsided and Strikedag Tanner slowly opened his eyes. A man in strange dress sat on a rock two yards in front of him. His clothing was entirely black, from his boots to his cape. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with long blond hair and intense blue eyes. His face held a stern, yet annoyed expression.
Strikedag Tanner looked to his left. The Lancelead and Commlead lay by his side. They were unconscious and also without their helmets. A glance told him they were weaponless as well. They all had been carried into the shade cast by a large rock. He looked back to the man in black.
The stranger gestured with an upraised hand. “Sorry for the stun grenade, but I had to be sure you were what you appeared to be.” The man leaned forward. “Let me introduce myself. I am Dieya four-three-nine-two, Planetary Warden of Ravar.” His forehead creased in a frown and there was a hard edge to his voice. “Now that the pleasantries are over, tell me what you are doing on my world.”
The Strikedag looked at his companions, who had begun to stir and reviewed his knowledge about the Dieyas: tungsten armored skeletal structure; enhanced muscle composition and density; chip-aided reflexes. Jumping this man was out of the question. He remembered that being a Dieya was a solitary job.
He remembered hearing that they were ruthless.
Rory stared back at the Dieya’s frowning face. He didn’t like his attitude. “I dunno. Just following orders,” he said. “You’d better wait for the Commlead or the Lancelead for answers.”
The Dieya’s mouth formed a smile that didn’t extend to his eyes. “We will wait then, Strikedag. But I am not the enemy. I had just dealt with some Kraken interference on this planet when I received an off-world dimgate alarm. I expected to find an entire battle droid group on the ground. Instead, I found you and your friends. I had to be sure.” He looked to the Strikedag’s left. “Commlead, Lancelead, rest easy. There is no danger.”
Lancelead Grey and Commlead Haridep were struggling to sit up. The Lancelead jerked and reached for his laser.
“Easy, Sir, easy,” said Strikedag Tanner, placing a hand on the Lancelead’s arm. “We’re okay, Sir.”
The Lancelead stared at the stranger. “Sit-rep, Strikedag,” he said. He didn’t take his eyes off the man in black.
“Sir! This person claims to be planetary Dieya four-three-nine-two. Seems he was the one who tossed the stun grenade.”
“Rather a rude way to make our acquaintance, don’t you think, Dieya four-three-nine-two?” the Lancelead said coldly.
“We will wait for the Commlead to fully recover and then we will continue this conversation,” said Dieya, leaning back, his hands clasped around a knee.
The Lancelead glanced at Strikedag Tanner, his eyes narrowing.
“No, Sir,” whispered Strikedag Tanner. “Don’t even think about it.”
The Dieya nodded. Strikedag Tanner was surprised at the nod, then remembered that Dieyas had visual, audio and vocal enhancements as well.
The Commlead held her head to ease the throbbing, but her brain was clear and she’d heard everything.
Dieyas.
She recalled her info-class about the Dieya section of the Human Alliance League. The Dieyas were planetary sentinels stationed on independently evolving planets. They watched for Kraken interference and guarded against contact with higher technologically developed cultures. Totally dedicated with total authority. She wondered idly if they found men who were dedicated, or did nano-bit chips modify their attitude. She gathered her thoughts and spoke.
“Dieya. My name is Commlead Janelle Haridep. We have escaped from inside a Kraken Cross and a Kraken Thirty-six dreadnought. We have vital information that must get back to the Alliance.”
The man in black arched an eyebrow and looked dubious.
“Our suit cams will back up our story, and I had a tri-vid running the entire time,” she said, and fumbled with the tri-vid cube on her belt. The words she had spoken echoed in her mind. She looked up. “It is a sunny dry day here in the desert,” she vocalized slowly, while listening to the sounds. Revulsion filled her and betrayal saturated her voice. “You used a language replacer on us!” She glared at the Dieya.
“Yes. I deemed it necessary for you to know the local language,” he said, casually dismissing her statement with the flip of a hand.
“Language replacers are only to be used with the individual’s consent!” She felt her face redden, hot with indignation.
The Dieya stood. “I will decide what will be done here!” He looked her in the eye and snatched the tri-vid disk from her hand. “I will review this disk and return shortly. Wait here.” He walked off a few yards, then pointed to his left. “Your weapons are behind that rock.” He took another step and vanished in a blue glow.
“Snotty bastard,” said Strikedag Tanner.
Lancelead Grey nodded. “But I like that small-jump personal dimgate. Nice and easy way to travel.”
The Strikedag agreed. “I’ll bet he has an off-world gate to be able to leave here occasionally. Even a bugger like him must get lonely for a taste of home.”
“True, it’s required,” said Commlead Haridep. “But an off-world dimgate needs a steady platform and a lot of equipment to function. He must have a base of operations on this planet. That’s probably where he’s reviewing the tri-vid recording.”
“The Dieya can’t dim us out of this desert, either,” said the Strikedag. “PDGs are built to body specs.”
“Yes, the field only allows you to carry small objects,” said Janelle.
“I guess we’ll have to walk out,” said Lancelead Grey with a smile. “But once we get there, we can get home.” His smile was contagious. “What do you make of the Dieya?” he asked Commlead Haridep.
“Dieyas are strange human beings. I can’t imagine willingly giving up modern technology to live in a backward age,” she said. “Though this would be a fascinating place to study.”
“How does he move among the locals?” asked Strikedag Tanner. “I guess he never lets them see him dim.”
“I can hazard a guess,” she mused. “His dress and his very presence here indicate a low level of technology. I imagine this world is still in a semi-barbaric state. Their unknowns are usually answered through superstition and myth. He probably travels as a wizard or shaman.”
“If he can get us home, he’ll be wizard enough as far as I’m concerned,” said Lancelead Grey. His smile blossomed into a huge grin.
“Cheer up, Lancelead,” said Strikedag Tanner. Everyone laughed.
“This has been an amazing experience,” said Commlead Haridep.
Strikedag Tanner nodded in agreement, then stopped, his face turning somber. “And it’s not over yet. Everyone still stay on your toes. I’ve seen troops, headed back to a pickup point after a mission, trip a booby-trap they had avoided going in.”
“Roger that, Strikedag,” said Lancelead Grey, sobering. “Let’s get our helmets back on, then spread out and have some chow. I don’t want to be embarrassed by another grenade.” After gathering their helmets and weapons, they moved to positions far enough away from each other to provide safety, yet close enough to provide cover fire.
They sat, lost in their own thoughts and waited. Several hours passed and still there was no sign of the Dieya.
“Ya think he forgot about us?” asked Strikedag Tanner to no one in particular.
“He probably has a lot to do,” said Lan
celead Grey. “You know, kill and skin his breakfast. Chip out a few stone tools.”
“From the Dieya’s attire I’d say this civilization is a bit more advanced than that, Lancelead,” said Commlead Haridep.
“I know, Ma’am. I was just thinking disparaging thoughts about the Dieya. His methods are too high-handed. I don’t like him at all.”
“Dieyas have a difficult job, Lancelead. We might be the first civilized humans he’s seen in a while. Let’s cut him some slack.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” said Strikedag Tanner agreeably. “No matter what I think about that character, or his unknown lineage, he’s my new best friend until we get off this rock.”
“Speaking of bastards,” said Lancelead Grey, gesturing north.
The Dieya stood on a rock, about two hundred feet away, in plain sight. Once everyone had turned toward him, he jumped down and walked to the group.
“Didn’t want to get shot accidentally,” said Strikedag Tanner. “That could happen to someone like him. Smart, though…”
“Thought you forgot about us,” said Lancelead Grey through his external speaker as the Dieya approached.
“Headquarters was as dubious as I was about your story,” said the Dieya, dumping a small bundle at their feet. “But they confirmed your identity. Sending them that tri-vid was like kicking over a grendle hive.” He stepped back and looked at each of them. “And, I need to get you to debriefing as soon as possible,” he said, smiling. His grin was charismatic and infectious. The others echoed his smile.
“I’m glad to see we made your day, Dieya,” said Lancelead Grey, with a failed try at sarcasm.
“Yes, it adds up somehow.” Dieya bent down to untie the bundle. “I can’t see what it means, but yours is an exciting breakthrough.”
“What adds up?” asked Commlead Haridep.
The Dieya glanced up. “An unfinished Kraken Cross, the core holding a chair for a human, with a gateway to a world experiencing Kraken involvement. A world where negative-energy collector nodes have been constructed.” He grimaced. “Too many coincidences.”
He loosened the bundle and stood up with clothing in his hand. “Headquarters has decided to continue the policy of non-interference and non-disclosure. You can’t be seen using technologically advanced devices. Even though it’s hot, your suits have to go. You must be seen as just three average people of Ravar. It will take three week’s travel to get to my off-world dim gate.”
“Three weeks!” groaned Lancelead Grey. “Surely there must be a faster way.”
“There isn’t, Lancelead,” said Dieya, crossing his arms. “Headquarters is interested in learning what the Kraken are trying to develop on this world and doesn’t want word of you three to get back to the Kraken.” He gestured to their battle armor. “Get out of those suits and stash them. Remove the blink tabs from your temples and leave them here also. Strip down to your capillary underwear and put on these robes.”
Strikedag Tanner didn’t move but looked to Lancelead Grey.
Dieya saw his hesitation, pulled a thumb-sized wafer out of his pouch and held it up. “I brought confirmation of these orders and clarification that all of you are now under my command.”
He handed the wafer to Commlead Haridep and she inserted it into her comm pak. Blinking twice, she displayed the orders and sent a copy to the others. They blinked, then removed their helmets.
“Here’s what you will do,” said Dieya while the group divested themselves of their battlesuits. “Head northwest toward that tall rock spire with the flat top.” He pointed and waited until everyone identified it. “When you get there, you will see a narrow valley through the cliffs, leading westward. It’s the only way out of this arid land. You can’t miss it. Half a day’s walk inward, you will see a rock projection that looks like a luse’s head.”
“What’s a luse?” interjected Commlead Haridep.
“A local beast of burden,” he said. “It will be the first large group of rocks you will see once you leave the desert. Wait there for a guide. Take only one laser pistol with you for protection. It should be more than you need if you stick together.”
“I take it you’re not coming with us, then?” asked Commlead Haridep.
“No. After I relay these suit disks, I have other duties. You will be in capable hands. I will try to join you later.”
He looked at the growing pile of suit pieces and the trio. When stripped of their suits, they wore long, gray, form-fitting underwear. Worn next to the skin, capwear collected waste and provided heating and cooling.
Strikedag Tanner tossed a power pak to the Commlead from his battlesuit. “Snap this into the side circuit to activate your capwear.”
Janelle inserted the pak with a click. “Thanks.”
Dieya handed out loose fitting sandals and dark blue robes with a gold circle on the left shoulder. “These Sargum Pilgrims’ robes will have to do until you can be outfitted correctly,” he said. “The pilgrims are people who carry nothing worthwhile and live off the charity of others. You should be left alone, but if accosted,” he gestured to the laser pistol, “leave no witnesses.” He waited until he received a nod from Lancelead Grey. “Once you meet up with your guide, disassemble the laser and bury the parts and the capwear. Any questions?” he asked.
“How will we know our guide?” asked Strikedag Tanner.
“He will know your names. Any other questions?”
This was moving too fast for Commlead Haridep. She’d have a thousand questions after he left but now had none she could voice. She tried to stall. “Uh, Dieya, uh, how many languages should we encounter?” she stammered.
“There is only one language spoken on Ravar. But any words you say that are not in the local vocabulary will be voiced in Standard Alliance, so be careful. Any other questions?”
“Uh,” she said.
“Good,” said Dieya. He touched the bundle on the ground with his toe. “There is food and water here, enough to get you where you’re going.” He pulled a jewel from the amulet he wore on his forearm and handed it to Commlead Haridep.
“Locator beacon. Just squeeze it twice if you need me in an emergency, and once when you get to your final destination. I will be there as soon as I can.”
He held up a finger and leaned forward. “I need to stress this.” He looked each of them in the eye. “Follow the lead of your guide. Do not make it obvious that you are not from this world. Ask few questions, give vague answers. I know this is a shock for you and none of you have had proper training, but try not to arouse suspicion. Good luck.” With that he turned, took a few steps and vanished in a blue glow.
“Us poor untrained slobs will try not to trip over our own feet,” Lancelead Grey said to the vanishing blue spot. He turned. “Can you imagine that?” he said, shaking his head.
“You know, there would be something very likable about that man,” said Strikedag Tanner, “if he didn’t open his mouth.”
“He is a bit abrupt, Strikedag, but he is a dynamic individual,” said Commlead Haridep, staring at the spot where the man in black last stood. Strikedag Tanner and Lancelead Grey exchanged glances that became smiles.
“Well,” said Lancelead Grey, “sooner started, sooner done.” He bent down to examine the foodstuffs and water bottles that remained in the bundle. Lifting out a piece of hard travel bread, he marveled, “No wrapping of any sort. I wonder how they stay fresh.”
Strikedag Tanner laughed. “I’m sure they’re not fresh. Probably never were. If you find mold it’s probably the freshest thing about it.”
Lancelead Grey dropped the bread and wiped his hand. He gave one water bottle to each person. “Strikedag, take point and carry the Commlead’s laser pistol. I’ll carry the provisions. We’ll stay grouped in case we run into anyone or anything. Let’s move out. I’d like to be out of these rocks before it gets too hot. And remember, Strik
edag,” he said, smiling, “no witnesses.”
“I wonder if that includes him?” said the Strikedag, gesturing with his chin to the spot where the Dieya had vanished.
The Lancelead laughed.
“I think the Dieya is just dedicated to his job,” said Commlead Haridep. “Lancelead – Bo,” she continued, “I guess we should start using our first names. Do you think we can find the spot the Dieya mentioned?”
“Yes, Janelle,” he said, stressing her name. “I’m sure we can, although I’m still not sure what a luse is.”
Strikedag Tanner only wondered if they were good eating, and moved off down the hill, laser at the ready.