Orphan Wars by J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon

Author:J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon [Chaney, J.N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2021-02-20T16:00:00+00:00

20

“Careful here, the footing is treacherous and the lighting poor,” Syrus says, leading us below the edge of the Cradle platform because that is the only way the stairs go. We’re plunged into darkness the moment the artifact is higher than we are.

“You’re probably not excited about going beneath it,” Tamok says.

“On the contrary, I see this as an opportunity.” And I do, because I can already see rows of symbols that weren’t accessible to my team on the lunar base.

Twenty minutes later, the decurion scout stops and stares at something for a long time.

“What is it?” Tamok asks. “Why the hold up?”

“Someone has been this way, and recently,” Syrus says.

“Hold your position. I’m moving up to you.” Tamok advances ten meters, the distance Syrus insisted should be the minimum following distance.

“I better come too,” I say.

Tamok points at me like I’m a dog. “No.”

“Yes.”

“I am in charge,” Tamok replies.

I spread my hands to agree but also to express my lack of giving a damn about his personal problems. “Sure, but if you want me to risk my life testing an Orphan Gate, I’m going to see what has your scout spooked.”

The showdown only lasts seconds, but it feels longer. “Very well,” he says, choosing his battles with care.

Syrus points a dim, red-tinted light at scuffs on the stone path, and then a snippet of fresh graffiti. Just higher than I can reach, it’s an eye scratched into the rock. Years ago, I studied Egyptian hieroglyphics and pictographs firsthand. This resembles the Eye of Horus, but it’s not. Whoever engraved it into the stone added a crowd of stick figures, like this thing ruled them all. It’s a scene of dominance, not coexistence.

“Crude,” Tamok says.

“Is that the Dark Eye? Maybe we could bring your friend here to confirm or deny,” I suggest in my most reasonable tone.

“I’ve never seen it before, but the coincidence is telling. If the Dark Eye has been this way himself, he has looped through our part of the Goliath sector. Which means he could know the location of my base,” Tamok says. “I will need to leave troops here and reinforce Tamondran.” He swears under his breath, jaw tight. “We’re running out of time.”

I make a sketch of the image.

“Tell no one, not even my soldiers. It could cause a panic,” Tamok says, then motions impatiently for Syrus to continue.

We follow more closely now, the destination growing near.

Fifty meters farther along the dark underside of the Cradle, Syrus stops again. “It’s time to make a decision. There is no light at all beyond this point. Pay attention to where you step or suffer the consequences.”

He’s right. What I thought was total darkness was just a prelude to this ominous path. I stop right behind Tamok, who holds up an open palm for his troops. They stay back, except for Shaina, who follows Zedas to the front. The five of us stare at shadows around the base of the giant Cradle.

“Halt. Turn off your lights,” he orders.

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