Cosmic Dash: Silver Spiral Stories

The Trench - Part 8

The traipse through the woods that ringed the valley and sat at the slope of the hills was methodical and largely tense. Surely, imperial patrols were making their way through the woods, so each step was methodical, and every few yards, it felt as though the group paused to take in their surroundings, wary of being seen.

Second Officer Bradley was largely ahead of the others, dipping in and out of sight as needed based on his scouting impulses. His markers confirming the safest path for the other three would have been nearly imperceptible to members of the imperial rebellion. It was something that some Terrans had developed, known as "twig code," where specific patterns left by sticks could relay messages.

Morlin, the youngest of them, hung back behind Caltu, uneasily ducking and dipping around errant branches, hoping not to snag his communications gear on something and create a snap. Much to Razaal's chagrin, Researcher Caltu was far less mindful of his motions, fiddling with a bulky tablet and barely glancing at the ground at his feet. Razaal had to occasionally whisper a harsh correction toward the grey as he would periodically go off the path. Scientists.

After an hour and only navigating around 600 meters, the group came to another stop when Bradley came into view, crouched at a tree. He glanced back at Razaal, Morlin, and Caltu and waved his hand horizontally toward the ground. Razaal clicked his tongue twice - and he and Morlin hit the dirt - Caltu stood for a moment and gingerly lowered himself to the floor.

"Morlin, stay here with Caltu."

"Sir."

Razaal crawled over to an adjacent tree from Bradley. "What did you see?"

Bradley cradled his rifle in his arms as he shifted his body to look at his captain. "There is a small staging ground ahead, about 50 meters. Nothing much, but it extends into the treeline so that their snipers can dip in as needed. It's a perfect setup."

"Tell me there is a way around it."

"Oh, yeah, I can punch us a path, but-"

"You want to take them out."

Bradley shrugged in response and cradled his rifle a little tighter.

"They have a perfect spot. I almost stepped into it, and I know that the next time the General pushes an attack, these guys will get a few excellent shots. I can't help but think we'd be doing everyone a favor, but we also have our orders."

"I gotta agree with him, Sir," said Morlin, who had snuck over to join them.

Caltu was just behind him, his brow furrowed on his grey, oval face. "I say we leave well enough alone. My tech is the priority here, Captain Kameku."

"I told you to stay with Caltu, Third Officer," Razaal emphasized the rank.

"Yes, Sir, sorry, Sir."

"Captain - two of us can clear that trap easily. I only saw three of them."

Razaal paused for a moment, weighing his options. Bradley shifted his position slightly, peering through the trees at something nobody else in the party would have been likely to see.

"Morlin," Razaal paused, then spoke again, "I need you to stay here with Caltu - I am going with Bradley to clear that blind.

"Sir? With all due respect, you're a Captain; you are essential to this operation. Let me take point on this. I can help."

"I can take the kid," Bradley added.

"The fact you called him 'the kid' is all the more reason I'm having him watch the scientist. He's too green for this one and should also be following my orders."

"Fair enough, Captain." Bradley rose to his feet, followed by Razaal.

"Morlin, you protect Caltu at all costs, understood?"

Morlin said nothing, simply nodding.

"What was that?"

"Sir, yes. Yes, Sir."

"Is this the best use of our time, Captain? We could be far more helpful deploying my hack," Caltu said.

Razaal checked the switches on his gun, the Artis-300. He glanced down at the crouching scientist.

"We'll be quick." 

To be continued...