Destruction by M.R. Forbes

Author:M.R. Forbes [Forbes, M.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-15T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

On its way from the Free Inahri base, the Bochun carrying Caleb, Riley, Tsi and the others swept low over the mountains and around the west side of the Deliverance. They stuck to the river then, streaking along it at such low altitude Caleb was amazed Captain Ulia could maintain such calm control of the craft, with its short wings passing less than a meter above branches and other obstacles. At the same time, it was amusing to watch how the creatures along the river reacted to their passing. Fishers leaped in front of them and disappeared deep into the water. Birds retreated deeper inland, and the larger predators stared at them, displeased with the disturbance.

Caleb looked away from the viewport to Sergeant Tsi. Her face was hidden by the mantle of the Skin, her features smoothed out to the small protrusion of her nose. Everyone on the craft had their mantles raised, using the Skin’s comm systems to translate between their languages.

“So many life forms here,” Caleb said. “Were they here when you arrived?”

“Yes,” Tsi replied. “We believed when we came that this was an undiscovered world, inhabited only by lesser intelligences. We never knew the Axon had already scouted the world and chosen it as our prison and testing grounds.”

“They pitted you against the uluth.”

“Yes. In increasingly difficult scenarios. This was many ens ago. Long before I was born. Long before any of us were born. The history is oral now, the true data lost during the rebellion when the Intellects chased us from the Seeker. Despite what is happening now, I am personally grateful to you for destroying the Guardian and giving us a chance to reclaim our birthright.”

“You’re welcome,” Riley said.

Caleb glared at her.

“Well, I was the one who shot the Guardian. It never saw it coming.” She laughed harshly.

“Sergeant, we’re approaching the ingress point,” Captain Ulia said.

They were still ten klicks short of the Deliverance. The ship wasn’t even close to visible from their position, still hidden behind plenty of twists and turns in the river. According to Tsi, they were risking the edge of what Ulia considered the safe zone to come this close. They would take a boat for half of the remaining distance and then run the remainder.

“Kizi, prepare the skiff,” Tsi said.

“Yes, Sergeant,” Kizi replied, moving to the rear of the transport. He removed a long tube from its latch on the cargo space wall and took it forward to wait at the sealed hatch.

“Corporal Kizi will go first,” Tsi explained. “He will expand the skiff so we can jump into it while he holds it in position. Remember, stay low and silent.”

“Yes, Sergeant,” Riley said.

“Chi Za,” Caleb said, using the Inahri response. Tsi glanced at him and nodded in appreciation.

“Kiss ass,” Riley charged.

“It’s called respect,” Caleb replied.

The transport slowed quickly, forcing Caleb to brace until it was hovering static over the river. The hatch opened and Kizi jumped out, jumping feet first into the water with barely a splash.

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