Forsaken Commander (The Aternien Wars Book 1) by G J Ogden

Author:G J Ogden [Ogden, G J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ogden Media Ltd
Published: 2023-06-10T23:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

NATIVE DANGERS

Carter raised his rifle and aimed it at the alien reptile, but kept his finger pressed along the frame. He didn’t want to anger the beast in case its aggression was merely an act of dominance to ward them off, but he also didn’t want to become its next meal.

“Back away, slowly,” Carter said quietly, already taking a step back. “If we don’t provoke it, then it might just leave us alone.”

Carina stepped back alongside Carter; the rich squelch of their boots in the foul mud were still in perfect synchronization with one another.

“Did your hunting exploits on the forest moon extend to vicious alien reptiles?” Carina asked, speaking while barely moving her lips, like a bad ventriloquist.

“I’m afraid not, but I understand enough about creatures like this to know not to get clawed by them.”

Carina laughed nervously. “Well, that much is obvious.”

“I don’t mean because of the physical damage those claws can do,” Carter replied. The beast was now slowly tracking forward, tongue tasting the air as it stalked toward them. “Even a scratch could lead to an infection that would be deadlier than the wound itself.”

Carina scrunched up her nose at this. “I thought you Longsword guys were largely immune to infection and disease?”

“We are.” Carter met his XO’s eyes to make sure she understood him plainly. “But you’re not.”

Another rasping growl stole their attention, and Carter spotted a second reptilian beast to their left. It had been lying completely still, camouflaged in the mud, but was now also stalking closer. He checked over his shoulder, his augmented eyes attuned to the subtle variations in color and texture that gave away the locations of other beasts. Cursing, he turned back to his XO.

“We got one on our left and at least another one to our rear,” Carter said, as the hisses grew louder. “They’re trying to surround us, and they’re doing a good job of it too.”

Carina squinted her eyes, but it was clear to Carter that she was struggling to spot the hidden reptiles. She then nodded toward the engine section of the Galatine, which was partly submerged in the mud.

“We can use the ship to cover our backs,” Carina said. “But if it comes to a fight, we have to hope these things aren’t as tough as they look.”

Carter nodded, then together they retreated toward the Galatine, now stalked by three of the reptilian monsters.

“The hatch door is open, boss,” Kendra called out over the comm channel. “What’s your status?”

“Our status is that we’re being hunted by a trio of six-hundred-pound carnivorous lizards, and our backs are against the wall.”

The comm channel went quiet for a moment, then Kendra spoke up again. “I see them. They’re closing in around me too. It goes without saying, but you might want to hurry things up.”

“Copy that, Kendra, we’re on our way. Keep your rifle handy.”

Carter continued to cover two of the creatures, while Carina kept her rifle aimed at the beast that had first confronted them on hind legs.

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