Banshee by Terry Maggert

Author:Terry Maggert [Terry Maggert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-03-07T07:00:00+00:00

2

Underneath: Day One

The first harbingers of the alien depths were the anemones, floating through the light currents of cave wind near the top of each chamber. They were as varied as the lichens that cast a glow across every surface, their starred tangles of arms glistening with sedately waving stalks. Larger specimens would carry a small fleet of immature followers bobbing in their wake; the plucky little fleets crossed overhead in a beautifully discordant imitation of a demolition derby. When rival fleets made contact, there were flashes of light and brief but furious battles that left glowing detritus swirling through the air, one group stronger, the other made weaker or nonexistent. Saavin watched the drama unfold for long moments, sipping from her canteen.

Pointing at one robust anemone that shined incarnadine, French said, “I’ve watched them play with their own group, but woe betide any invader who comes within range of the mother ship. Every time, it results in these brief, vicious little wars.” He drank, wiping his mouth while his eyes followed a blue specimen with a string of gold and green miniatures behind it. The small herd brushed lightly against a patch of deep green lichens spreading across an outcrop of ceiling and, wherever their outstretched arms touched, the lichen went dark. “They feed on the lichens, which break down the rocks, which presumably form some food source for the other dwellers. Of all the things I’ve sketched, these are actually the most innocuous.”

“Let that be my warning, then. Those floating death traps are ruthless, and their reproduction rate must be incredible. I’ve watched twenty of them torn apart while we’ve been standing here,” Saavin said. Her eyes never left the conflict above.

“They don’t compare to what’s ahead. Let’s hoist our ropes and assemble the spears. We’re going to need them.” French knelt and began doing just that with swift efficiency. He continued to monitor the air war above, finally giving Saavin a quick smile when she held her goggles out expectantly. “You’ll need them tomorrow. Go ahead and put them on your head to adjust the fit, but be careful while you do it. We’ll want to be absolutely sure of where our feet and hands are going.”

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