First of the Order by J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon

Author:J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon [Chaney, J.N. & Moon, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2025-03-16T00:00:00+00:00

19

The ground near the precipice was covered with dust and splinters. Ancient supports had shattered when the bridge collapsed. There were tangles of I-beams and cables visible. Silence was the rule rather than the exception below ground, but I thought this was a new level of quiet. The sound of my breathing was embarrassing. No one noticed, of course. They were lost in their own thoughts. None would admit being worried about the climb.

“Definitely new damage,” BFP said as he shined his flashlight into the depths.

“I’ll take Gronner and Oleena to check for blast damage,” Helis said. “Maybe we can learn how this was done. Get clues about our opponents.”

Corina nodded, and they began scouting this side of the crevasse.

“How deep does this go?” I asked.

BFP shrugged. “The bottom could be on the other side of the world for all I know, but where we’re going there are ledges that connect—or used to connect. Down there, we can step across to the other side and start climbing.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” I said, pointing at dark specs that skittered away from the light. “Are those spiders or scorpions.”

“Trogloraptor spiders,” BFP said, then frowned. Without warning, he dodged sideways, sprinted along the edge of the crevasse, and climbed down several meters. All the while, he wielded his flashlight like a beacon of truth.

What we saw from his efforts were spider-like but sure as hell were not standard terrestrial arachnids.

Unless spiders and scorpions had crossbred and mutated. Maybe there had been a nuclear war during the invasion.

“Do you see that?” BFP boomed.

“Yes. Now get back up here,” Corina shouted.

I gripped the hilt of the star blade and paced the area above the human from UF 53. It was hard to see him. His light seemed to move on its own, though I knew he was controlling the direction of the beam. It went out abruptly, and I heard him climbing toward me.

“God damn Sotalorians just can’t stop seeding our planet with things that don’t belong here.” He pulled himself onto level ground and made the sign of the cross before apologizing for his language.

I wasn’t sure what to say.

“We can avoid those things, but I think they are a harbinger of dark times ahead. Again, sorry for using the Lord’s name in vain.”

“What lord?” Corina asked.

“Long story,” I said, then addressed BFP. “Show me the best way down, and I’ll go first.” A hearty thump on the star blade hilt boosted my confidence. “I can get back to the top quickly if needed.”

I didn’t tell them about the residual effects of Sesusemon’s healing. Feeling invincible didn’t improve my opinion of things that crawled on too many legs, but it was nice to have.

“Over here is where the maintenance teams descend. Haven’t used the ladder for a while, but it should be solid,” he said. “Enjoy.”

I examined the metal rungs that looked like they had been bolted into the rocks a lifetime ago. “If I die, I die.”

He laughed. “You’ve still got Earthling humor.

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