Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 4) (15 page)

“Just as there are no green or blue ones here, like the other temple had,” Massapa added.

Kelen continued to study the two moving lights that slowly but inexorably were growing closer to each other. “Guys, we’d better hurry, or else Tojun’s going to find himself in the thick of another battle. Jules, how far are we from the red cavern?”

The navigator shrugged. “Judging by our movement, it could be another kilometer from here, maybe more.”

Kelen felt Kyber leaning over her shoulder to study the tablet’s view screen. He turned his face toward her. “That red cavern is north of us, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Yet we appear to be moving parallel to it.”

The implication hit her. “We have to find an east-west corridor so we can connect to that other tunnel!”

“What are you talking about?” Sandow asked.

Kelen hastened to explain. “I have this theory that all these tunnels aren’t just randomly connected. I believe the colored caverns, the ones with transportation panels, are all connected via north-to-south tunnels. Those are the tunnels which are completely dark. But the tunnels which contain the glowing glyphs run east to west, intersecting them.”

“Like a grid?” Mellori queried.

“Uh-huh. And I think it’s the north-south tunnels that ascend and descend, while the east-west ones are relatively level.”

“Makes sense to me,” Fullgrath muttered.

Kyber continued. “If we can find one of those intersecting tunnels, we can cut through it to reach the tunnel that goes straight to that red cavern.”

“It would explain why these dots appear to be floating in somewhat straight lines.” Jules adjusted his readouts. “So we need to find, what? Another air vent that will lead us to one of those holographic doorways?”

“That, or one of the little secret tunnels,” the Seneecian replied.

In the glow from their tube lights, Kelen saw their looks of surprise. “I know this is going to sound odd, but we discovered a set of smaller tunnels, about yea high and yea wide. They’re too small for any of Hoov’s people to go through, even if they crawled on their abdomens.” She held out her arms to show size.

Kyber continued. “We have seen too much evidence of other cultures down here. We have spotted markings identical to the ones at the other temple. We believe it is possible that, at one time, all three major intelligent species lived together all over the planet. But at some point they had to split up.”

“Why?” Gaveer asked.

Kyber shrugged. “We do not know, but we have an idea. Those little tunnels we discovered, we think they were how the smaller creatures like the remains we found at the other temple got around.”

“That, or they used them for escape or safety from Hoov’s people,” Kelen interjected. “Of course, it’s all conjecture, but I don’t think the three species got along with each other, which is why they eventually split up and each took a different part of the planet to inhabit.”

“You’re saying there are three intelligent species on this world,” Fullgrath clarified. “One being the little guys who are most likely extinct, another being the insect-like creatures like Hoov, and one we’ve yet to discover.”

Kelen winced at the thought of what that third species might be. “That’s right.”

Jules spoke up. “Hey, guys, if we’re going to intercept Tojun to prevent him from running headlong into Hoov’s people, we better find that east-west tunnel and quick!”

“Jules, does your tablet have a north-south calibration?” Mellori asked.

The navigator shook his head. “The magnetic fields around this place are skewed. I can’t pinpoint any definite north or south heading. Sorry.”

“Then we keep moving and keep our noses open for any sign of fresh air,” Kyber suggested and pushed ahead.

For the next quarter hour, they continued heading northward as they searched for a ventilation duct. From the ache in her leg muscles, Kelen could tell they were steadily climbing, although not at a steep grade. The throbbing in her abdomen thankfully remained distant. Whether it was because of Kyber’s lovemaking or the exercise she was getting didn’t matter. Without the cramping pain gnawing at her, she felt confident and hopeful they would eventually find Tojun and a transportation panel that would get them away from this place. Additionally on the plus side, the energy they were expending was enough to keep them warm, as the screen on Jules’s tablet confirmed that the temperature was gradually dropping the further they climbed.

She glanced behind at where Gaveer and Kleesod followed. When they all had met up at the cavern, she’d noticed how the Seneecians nostrils widened. Kyber’s men smelled blood on him and her. She couldn’t tell if they were aware of where the blood had come from. Even if they did, there was nothing she or Kyber could do about it.

“Here! I think I found one!” Fullgrath motioned for them to check out what he believed was a draft. Kleesod confirmed it.

“Here. The doorway is here.” The Seneecian shoved an arm into what appeared to be solid rock, only to have his limb vanish up to the elbow.

They hurried into the corridor where a row of softly glowing symbols ran parallel to the floor, as they’d expected. Jules checked their location.

“Straight ahead another fifty or so meters. If we find another north-west tunnel, it should cut off a good fifteen to twenty minutes.”

“How are we on those converging lights?” Gaveer asked tersely.

“Not good,” Jules answered.

With the pale glyphs lighting their way, they picked up their pace. At one point Kyber held back, letting Kelen pass him. She noticed him drop into step between Massapa and Kleesod.

“We may face another group of Hoov’s people,” Massapa observed.

“If we do, we fight. We must do all we can to find Tojun and help him if he needs us,” Kyber responded.

“It is possible we may be too late,” Kleesod remarked.

“True, but we must take the chance he can be saved. You would want us to do the same if it was you in his place.”

Kelen resisted the impulse to glance behind her to see Kleesod’s face. Instead, she smiled to herself, proud of her husband’s stance even though everyone knew they were risking their lives for the sake of one man’s. When they all could be heading up to the next cavern, putting as much distance between themselves and Hoov’s people, they were running right back into those things’ nest. 

She glanced over at Sandow as he wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve. They were no longer Terran and Seneecian. They were brothers-in-arms, fighting against a common foe. If it had been Fullgrath or Mellori, or any other Terran, she knew the Seneecians would rally to help rescue him the same way she and her crew members were determined to save Tojun.

They’d discovered more than neutrality. They’d found common ground.

Humanity.

Fullgrath halted, throwing up a fist to signal. “I think we’ve reached the end of this tunnel,” he whispered. Ahead, the corridor curved slightly to the right, but Kelen could smell a difference in the air.

“Take a quick break,” Kyber ordered. “Get some water. We must ready ourselves for when we step out into that tunnel.”

“What is our plan?” Sandow whispered.

Kyber motioned to Jules. “What do you see?”

Kelen peeked over Jules’ shoulder where the two lights were almost on top of one another. Both were very close to the red light. A fourth light was now present on the screen, and she mentioned it.

“What’s that one?”

“Us,” Jules told her. “More specifically, me.”

The fourth light was almost touching the red one.

“We’re on the opposite side of the red cavern,” she noted.

“Looks that way,” the ex-navigator agreed. “It appears Tojun is coming from the other side, and Hoov isn’t far behind him.”

“Then we need to be in that cavern when he arrives,” Gaveer suggested. “We need to get his attention before Hoov shows up.”

“I agree,” Kyber said. “We must hurry.”

Fullgrath checked the connecting tunnel to make sure the coast was clear before the rest of them filed out to join him. Although they believed most of Hoov’s people were coming from the other direction, they couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t encounter one of the creatures on its way to the cavern. Kelen drew her blaster, as did her fellow shipmates. Kyber and his men prepared themselves.

This time Fullgrath didn’t announce their nearing the cavern. They all noticed the gradual brightening, especially the fact that the light was a distinctive reddish color. As they drew closer, Kelen became aware of a strange odor that had to be coming from the chamber. A furtive look at Kyber confirmed he could smell it, too, and it was as unpleasant to him as it was to her.

They remained silent as they continued forward, making as little noise as possible to keep from being detected in the event one of Hoov’s people was near. When they were within a few meters of the opening, Fullgrath signaled again to stop, and Kyber moved ahead to join him. The two men exchanged whispers and Fullgrath nodded. Kyber gestured and the other three Seneecians went to stand beside him.

Kelen realized what was about to go down. He and his men were going in first to see if they could find their missing crew member. They wanted to be as quiet and stealthy as possible in order not to attract the aliens’ attention. Only if there was no other choice would Fullgrath and the rest of them go in with weapons blazing.

She felt her heart thud heavily with fear as she stared at Kyber. His back was turned to her, his focus on what they must do. These next few seconds would either be Tojun’s death or salvation. And it could also be theirs as well.

Good luck, my love. God be with you. And may your gods also be watching over you. If this does not go as planned, if this is the last time I see you, know I love you. I love you, Kyber.

Kyber stepped through the doorway, with Kleesod, Massapa, and Gaveer right behind him.

A nerve-shattering scream came from the distance. It was answered with a roar that reverberated down the tunnel, sending icy dread through her with the force of an avalanche. She knew the roar came from Kyber the same time two more bone-rattling roars echoed him.

Fullgrath wasted no time and jumped through the doorway, into the cavern. Mellori bolted after him with Kelen at his heels.

It took her a handful of seconds to take in what she was seeing, but her mind refused to accept it. Survival training automatically kicked in, and she started firing into the crowd of creatures gathered on the floor of the cavern. She continued to mow down the aliens, providing cover for Kyber and the others who were rushing down the stone steps to reach their fallen comrade. She tried not to stare at the disjointed skeletal remains that were draped like gruesome trophies around the perimeter of the huge room, while a little voice in the back of her mind cruelly reminded her that there were two more red caverns. Two more massive grottos where Hoov’s people gathered to consume their kill. To feast on their still-living prey as it writhed and fought for its life, the way that furry creature had in the temple after Hoov had taken it down.

The way Tojun continued to claw and kick and shriek as he was overcome, and the aliens tore into him.

She tried not to break down in tears, knowing the Seneecian was suffering. Kyber and the others shredded Hoov’s people as they advanced toward the rock slab where Tojun was pinned. While Fullgrath and Mellori focused on the creatures which tried to go after the Seneecians, she, Sandow, and Jules took aim at the ones who attempted to reach them.

The smell of rotting death permeated the cavern. Twice she gagged, finally pinching her nose and breathing through her mouth to keep from vomiting.

For what seemed like forever, Kelen thought the firefight would not be successful. That Hoov’s people would overwhelm them. Their numbers were infinitely greater. She managed to catch a glimpse of Kyber as he fought his way through the thickening crowd, when a crackling sound came from the other side of the chamber and the familiar whine of a pulse rifle poured over their heads.

Hoov’s people suddenly turned and bolted for the one remaining exit that wasn’t blocked. Cooter continued to bombard the creatures with a steady stream of firepower, while she, Fullgrath, and the others worked at protecting the Seneecians who’d managed to reach Tojun.

But it was too late to save him.

Lifting their crew mate between them, Massapa and Gaveer hurried to climb back up where the others waited. Kyber and Kleesod provided backup, but the remaining creatures no longer appeared interested in pursuing them.

The cavern reeked from the carnage.

“Retreat!
Retreat!
” Fullgrath motioned for them to head back inside the tunnel. “Let’s get the fuck out of here before they reassemble and decide to attack
en masse
again!”

“Cooter!” Jules yelled at the man at the other side of the tunnel. “The dark tunnels go topside! The lit tunnels don’t! Find a dark tunnel that ascends and we’ll meet you at the temple!”

Cooter tossed them a salute and vanished into the corridor behind him.

“What about the transportation panel?” Sandow asked.

Fullgrath gave him a scathing look. “Do you really want to go down there right now and look for it?”

The physician shook his head and followed the Seneecians into the tunnel. Kelen turned to trail behind him, but couldn’t stop herself from taking one last glance at the butchery left on the cavern floor. And realized she felt no pity for the lifeless aliens piled around the blood-stained altar.

It was a memory she knew would haunt her for the rest of her life.

Chapter 23

Flight

            At the first interconnecting tunnel, they carried Tojun inside and laid him on the ground. Kelen watched with tears streaming down her face as the Seneecian fought for breath. Blood bubbled from his nose and mouth, and his eyes were almost an icy white color as his life continued to flow out of him. Sandow hovered over the dying man, a hypo gun in his hand.

            The physician looked to Kyber. “I don’t know your protocol, but this will remove his pain and he can die in peace. It’s your decision.”