Chimera Company - Deep Cover 6 by Tim C Taylor

Author:Tim C Taylor [Taylor, Tim C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Human Legion Publications
Published: 2019-11-11T22:00:00+00:00

VETCH ARUNSEN

“Don’t curse me too hard or it will become a habit,” Shepherd advised as he bid them farewell. He smiled, but it was a forced gesture from a man whose head was obviously pounding from Eiylah-Bremah whiskey.

“Tell me again why that’s a problem,” said Darant with the cheery smile and booming voice of a man who knows he’s the only one in the room with the constitution of a hazardous waste reprocessing plant.

“Because I feel sure we will meet again.” Shepherd looked about to elaborate but thought better of speaking. Or making any kind of sound.

Darant slapped the rebel heartily on the back. “Cheery-bye,” he said. Loudly.

Shepherd groaned and walked away.

Sitting beneath the cover of the trees, they watched him go in silence, those with aching heads enjoying the cooling breeze rolling up the hill from the fields below.

“In case there’s any doubt on the matter,” said Vetch once Shepherd had disappeared from sight, “this unit ain’t a democracy. I’m in charge.” He paused in case any wished to dissent, but it didn’t suit any of them to disagree, not even Darant. “However, if anyone thinks we shouldn’t go find these Revolutionary Forces of Reconciliation, speak now.”

“Good,” said Enthree after several seconds of silence. She shivered, building up the strength to speak.

Vetch felt a pang of sympathy. His head was sore, but her kind were not good drinkers. Enthree’s hangover would punish her for days.

“We face a difficult journey with an uncertain ending,” said the alien. “That’s perfect because for humans, stasis is psychologically damaging. You need change, or rather you need action with the credible belief that it could lead to change.”

“You’re right,” said Lily. “We’re going crazy here. We all of us need to move on, though each in our different ways. Take Vetch, for a start. He needs a purpose, to convince himself that he hasn’t sold our souls in return for saving a Zhoogene girl we didn’t know, and we’ll never see again. He needs a haircut too.”

“What about me?” asked Darant. “Why should I head out to join these revolutionaries?”

“Because you need an outlet for your violent tendencies.”

Darant shrugged, satisfied with his answer.

Lily stroked a hand down Enthree’s hairy shoulder. “And as for you, my Muryani friend, your greatest desire is to be embedded among the adventures of humanoids.”

“I concur,” said Enthree. “What about you, Lily? What is it you seek?”

“Decent beer, late nights and later mornings. I deserve a supply of hot running men, the badder the better.”

Enthree tilted her head in denial. “Lily Hjon, that is not correct. What you describe is only a distraction from what you truly seek.”

“Can’t pull the wool over your antennae, can I, sister? It might be a distraction, but it would sure as hell be fun.” Her face soured and she closed her eyes, the lids slotting into the tattoos of magic firebolts or whatever the hell was supposed to be exploding out of her sockets. Sometimes, Lily looked less human than Enthree.

“I can’t tell you what I’m looking for,” she said in a shaky little voice.

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