Origin by Aer-ki Jyr

Author:Aer-ki Jyr [Jyr, Aer-ki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-04-09T16:00:00+00:00

7

Ashley was partway down the long tunnel and just beginning to see activity in the distance when Ske’rar confirmed her suspicions.

“They are ahead and waiting for us. Several dozen at minimum behind barricades and heavy weapons,” he explained, using his enhanced eyesight, though whether that be from biology or the advanced armor he wore the Archon didn’t know. “The digging machine is a short distance behind them. If we can get past these it is ours, but we will be running straight into their concentrated firepower. I can only block for you for so long, after which it will be up to you to subdue them.”

“Bad plan,” Terry commented. “Ash, please tell me you have something better in mind?”

In response Ashley slowed her decline-enhanced run and reached back to pull the compact rocket launcher off her back, exchanging it for her rifle.

“That’s better.”

“We need your weapons for the digger,” Ske’rar warned.

“We need to be alive when we reach the digger,” Ashley countered when a comm line opened.

“All teams engaging the Nestafar in the tunnel,” Kara’s energetic voice said, “pull back. Repeat, pull back. The Nestafar are coming out. Let them go for now, I’ll explain everything later, but it’s urgent that you do not get in their way or engage them. Pull back now.”

“What the hell?” Ashley commented. “Ske’rar, hold up,” she said, raising a hand and skidding to a halt. The big cat did likewise just ahead and turned back questioningly, but Ashley was already contacting Kara.

“We’re about to blow the hell out of their digging machine,” she argued.

“No need, kiddo. It’s coming out too.”

“Quit calling me that, I’m as old as you. And what do you mean it’s coming out?”

“They’re breaking off the assault and don’t ask me why, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. For now just get out of the way.”

“Copy that,” she said, reattaching the rocket launcher. “Can you see any movement up there?”

The Scionate turned around and stared off into the distance. “Nothing we can exploit. Why have we stopped?”

“We’ve been called off. Apparently the Nestafar are withdrawing from the tunnels.”

Ske’rar did a double take. “Has some form of an agreement been reached?”

“I don’t know, but something is up. Can you tell whether or not they’ve stopped digging?”

“I can still feel the vibrations, can you not?”

Ashley rolled her eyes, unseen beneath her helmet. “Ok, dumb question. Can you see anything else going on up there?”

“Nothing. They are holding position behind their barricades and the machine continues to advance…”

“What’s happening?” Terry asked.

“They are walking out of cover,” the Scionate said as the audible vibrations began to wind down. “And coming up the tunnel.”

“Armed?” Ashley asked, straining to see the tiny figures in the distance.

“Yes, they are carrying their weapons, but their movements are slow. They are also disassembling the heavy weapons…and the digger appears to be reversing direction.”

“Son of a bitch,” Ashley whispered. “Let’s stay ahead of them,” she said as they began to walk back up the tunnel. “Less, Chase…where you at?”

“Heading out, you?”

“We’re in pretty far and pacing the digging team on its way out.

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