Crucible of a Species by Terrence Zavecz

Author:Terrence Zavecz [Zavecz, Terrence]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-05-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13: Nightwatch

A long rumbling growl echoed through the twilight jungle as dark figures, huge shadowy forms glided half-seen through the foliage. The small group of humans halted their movements in fearful anticipation when a nearby copse of tree-tops shook marking the passage of the predators beneath. Moments stretched into minutes. Nothing more appeared and eventually the normal sounds of the evening returned. No one ventured to say the words aloud but it was obvious that the number of these close encounters here at the edge of the camp increased with each passing day.

Corporal Ryan Tyree picked up his stick and stirred the coals of the fire back to life. He spoke in a half whisper, “Shit, I hate it when the big ones pass so close. Even with the security fencing, I don’t think we could hold ‘em off if several decided to charge the berm at the same time.”

Tyree turned, hesitating briefly to check the rock that he had been sitting on. They had all learned to look first before resting on something even if you had just been sitting on it. With that, he resumed his thought, “The millipedes are the worst. The one that bit me yesterday hurt like hell and it was small compared to some of the big browns ones… like that one. He stomped on a bug that resembled a nine-inch long piece of segmented, armored cable thicker than his thumb. He ground his boot down as hard as he could, trying to smear it across the ground but the expected crunch didn’t happen. Cautiously he lifted his boot. The millipede jumped out, skittering off to the safety of a nearby clump of ground moss and ferns.

“Cheez, what’s the matter with you Tyree? Can’t you even sit without over-reacting? Cut your worrying and fork over that slab of rico-whatever-it-is.” Calm as ever, Private Sara Hsu threw another stick on the fire, “No real need to sweat those big guys anyway. I don’t think they’re that close, the AutoSentinels on the berm didn’t even go off.”

“Well if they were further off than the last ones then they must be even bigger to make that much of a commotion.” Ensign Mary Li, the Argo’s communications officer whined as she turned the crude spit balanced over the flames. The evening’s dinner sizzled with an aroma that made their mouths water. “You’d think the fire or the smell of cooking would draw them right to us.”

“Naw,” Hsu replied. “If anything, they avoid the fire and the smell of cooked meat means nothing good to them. The only familiarity these guys have with flames is one of wildfire pain and death; burnt flesh is something to head away from. On the other hand, if we were in the middle of butchering something then the blood-smell would be an entirely different story.”

Tyree leaned forward and cut off another chunk of meat for himself, “Damn but Cookie was right. These skinny little dino’s are good. I think it’s kinda funny in a weird sort of way.

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