Lightstream to war

Half light

Danna used his spear to trace the patterns he'd seen in the night sky on the ground, the soil was soft and marked well. He saw a white light streak one way and a blue another, then a yellow would turn back on itself. He watched in wonder, seeing one faster than his eye could follow. He stepped back, turning his head from side to side in wonder, then looked up again as a blue light started getting more prominent. It glowed red, leaving a white streak trailing behind it. He watched as it turned and stopped in front of him! No, it's getting bigger, he thought. Danna turned back and called to his friend, Virat. look at this; it's wonderful. Virat stood walking towards him when suddenly it thundered over their heads, almost skimming the ground. Dirt and smoke flew into the air and covered them. It hid the object from their sight, but the sound moved away. Virat, let's find it. Danna ran hard until a giant cut in the earth came into sight; he moved to run alongside it, adjusting his spear in hand; the sound of Virat running up caused him to look back; it's too far away; what do you think it is, I didn't get a good look Virat, but it's big, did you see its smoke tail, what, look up Danna, he turned looking up behind himself and fell, Virat pulled him up pointing, they stood with their mouths open, the trail of smoke was enormous and going away from them, it went back into the sky, wow, come on, said Danna, they turned back and ran along the cut in the earth, it started getting deeper and wider as they raced along it, but then bits of strange metal appeared, they stopped to look at it hearing loud noises ahead, Look! Virat, said Danna, pointing at a big bit of the object they'd seen; it was lying ahead of them,  with colours running around clear sections of it; what is it? Said Virat; it's not normal, who knows? Come on, said Danna. they ran and, after a long run, came closer to the thing from the sky. It was higher than two full-grown trees and had an oval shape at its end; it ran on into a long taper with a large dome at its front. Danna noticed that most of the damage done to it was around its centre. Virat pointed out onto the grassland beside them; what's that? He was looking at a large twisted section of metal that lay on its side; it was smoking, and flames burned inside it; let's see, said Danna, running out towards it, Virat court up but both boys stopped when bodies appeared in front of them; some were whole others in bits, it's people! Said Virat; he walked to a woman's body; she was lying as if sleeping; her clothing was strange. Danna shook her and listened for her heart. Virat pulled a device from her belt; what is it, said Danna, look at the little lights inside it, said Virat, it's "magic" Danna looked closer at it, nodding. They ran on with Virat, finding other things for his bag; at another body, they stopped seeing its eyes were open, a flash of blue hit, and both fell forward~unconscious. Why'd you do that, said Sargent Samuels, They're just natives, said Kemp; this is bad, said Lennard, shaking his head; it's a first contact; just kill them, said Henderson; we haven't got the rite, said Samuels, or even the time to watch them, Kemp, he said, you know our laws take Henderson and take them back, put them in a lock-up. Sargent, the comms are still down, and by the look of what's left of the crash, I'd say everyone on the gravity wheel died when it hit; we're probably the only survivors, but still, Kemp. I need to know how many survived, so take Driscoll and Porter, get in the wheel wherever you can, and have a good look. Just don't shoot any more of the locals. We could be here for a long time, Lennard Carter. You're with me in the big section up ahead. Kemp led his team in through a torn open viewing portal; Porter called to Driscoll; hurry up. If we stay together, it won't take long. Driscoll had to climb to get past a section of an entertainment area. Kemp called up to him. Is there a way past that mess? Not on your life, but I see Captain Reeve's body, shit, any comms pack's you see, Driscoll, take 'em, Porter, called Kemp, try that hatch in front of you; Kemp then walked into the remains of the gravity hospital. Seeing the Doctor and his staff were still strapped to some of the beds; he checked they were dead; a nurse had her eyes open; it scared him, oh shit sorry love, he closed her eyes and moved on; Driscoll, it looks like they had time to strap in, Sargent said Lennard, look up there, Fuck said Samuels, let's just go there aren't going to be any survivors here, why's that, said Carter, just look at their arms and legs, said Samuels, the impact must have been horrific the medical crew was strapped in and died, yep look where they hit the bulkhead I see impressions of people I knew, lay off the comedy Lennard, said Kemp. D'Gul stood at the door of the detention centre, looking down the hall; solder Reata, a female reptilian, ran up to him. D'Gul, you requested me. Yes, soldier, follow me. She followed behind him, checking that her uniform was clean. She found herself at a table and looked at the automatic rifle lying there; she felt uneasy as a line of women were marched in; behind them were two red-clad males in full armour; one ushered the women to the wall and beat one to the ground, Reata's eyes widened seeing the divots in the wall from projectiles, pick up the weapon soldier, said D'Gul, Reata looked at the messy faces in front of her as she did, and saw her sisters frend Halie, oh D'Gul, there's been a mistake I can't do this, he looked at her with a knowing look, his fangs were exposed in joy, you have a choice soldier, do it or join them, Reata stood looking at the half-naked women in front of her there eyes full of fear, she put the rifle down and walked to the wall with tears running down her check scales, she stood with them, Fool yelled D'Gul, we have a never-ending line of your type, he picked up the rifle firing, Reata looked up at the guards above her on a balcony and shut her eyes.
Danna woke with a headache, Virat, where are we, oh it hurts moaned Virat, Danna, was looking around and noticed the room they were in was damaged, it was shut tight so he moved to the panelling where a split gave a view into the next room, look at this Virat, its some kind of weapons I think, oh, my dead, Virat shimmied over and looked in, the bars he saw were long like spears but without points; beside them he saw a long-handled axe, Danna said, have you still got that string, why, I think I can flick it over that big blade's handle, half an hour later the loop finally slipped down over it, yes, well done Danna, he pulled slowly until the tension took hold, then the axe moved out of its frame falling to the floor, out of sight, oh please come up, said Danna, Virat reached an arm in the gap and was shocked to feel other items of iron there, he felt the strings end and grabbed at the handle of the weapon, it took no time to escape the room after that but both crept forward with their new weapons ready, looking for a way out was hard, Danna's poles were light and long but even being hollow he thought of spear shafts, they found an opening to an outside area of the ship and saw survivors were standing there. Sargent Samuels typed names into a pad: okay, that's one hundred and three dead. We have seven officers left now, three are Sargents, two lieutenants, and with the doctors, it'll make it about fifty-five people in all; that's only seven teams to get us out of here, but that's if we work together, but firstly, he said, we have to bury the dead, so line up behind an officer, get your assignments; eight to each team, Dr Blaine, looked around himself, and said, Sargent, I'll take the team of seven, thanks doc, in that case, you can find out if any of the shuttles survived. If not, how to fix one, but only the best one, Doc; we need that shuttle more than food, Dr Blaine called out; anyone with shuttle training to me. The boys eagerly watched for a chance to escape; Danna watched, saying, you right? There are too meny to get past, so we'll have to wait; they found bodies in the area they were in and investigated. Virat found another box with little lights and looked around for his bag. He found it was gone and wondered, then he searched for a replacement. The things he had now were useless, but he put the box in the new bag anyway. Danna kept his eye on the sky people while Virat searched; he found another body with its eyes open. This time, they were looking up at him; in an opening above it, he noticed more of the boxes, so he took some and sat back with Danna. He was turning one in his hands, seeing different coloured spots, when "suddenly" A beam of red fire opened a hole in the wall across from him; ah, he dropped the box in shock. Danna looked at it and then at the hole, saying, magic! Virat picked it up again, this time not touching any buttons. Luckily, it had made no noise. Danna smiled, thinking while both boys checked the hole. Virat said; this red bit did the magic, he said, pointing. Danna crawled to a body and found a box as well; he came back and sat looking at it, then pressed the button; luckily for him, it was blue; he woke later in a small room with Virat; oooh, you had it around the wrong way said Virat, I saw the light that hit you, it was blue, not red like this box, Danna sat quietly for a while, let's get more, why? Said Virat, their weapons; he thought about it, saying, You're right, Danna. Do you think this magic can help us?
It's getting dark, Sargent. Said Carter; yes, let's get to the personnel quarters and set watches; we'll start again at first light, sir; what if the Lizards land? Samuels thought about security and called crewman Lennard. Have all the A.I. drones and pads found collected quickly; if the Lizards come down, we fight. The boys raced away; out to the area where they'd last seen their spears, thank you gods, called Virat, their here, Danna looked as Virat found his bag and ran ahead, Danna still felt strange after the blue light but ran on until voices started calling to them from the scrub, he looked to the river and stopped, warriors walked out, we thought you were dead, what is that thing out there, we were to scared to even look, there people, yelled Virat, no, said Danna, not people, strange sky people, they captured us said Virat, and locked us up, what, said a warrior, how meny, lots, said Virat, but they're dangerous, he pulled his box out and pressed it pointing at the scrub ahead of them, it burst into flame when hit by the thin red beam, ahh, the warriors yelled and ran, laughing the boys ran after them, running into the village a voice called, stop, Gyeth pointing at them, as an Elder of this village I ask you, were you on the plain when it fell from the sky, and if so, what is it, but first what is the fire magic, Gyeth, called Danna, the people in the sky have them, here I have one for you, but its blue it won't kill like a red, its a kind of fire, Virat explained about pointing it and how not to hit himself, Gyeth pressed the button, and a blue beem hit the ground, ahh screamed a group of children watching; Danna used his then, and a red beam hit the ground, burning it, the smoke rose to silence, Virat said, I see you have a red now, Gyeth looked at the shafts and axe, then at the other strange things they had, he had them held in the Chief's hut and later when eight more boxes were found, sat them in pride of place, Danna and Virat sat with a boy who proudly sat for his first council meeting, it's like being made into a warrior, he said, then Gyeth said, we must send warriors to speak with the sky people then we must organise a Chief's meeting to tell these people to leave, we didn't ask for them to come, he said, Chief Awala stood and placed his hands on the boy's head, rise a warrior made your tribe needs you, he then placed a hand on each of the boy's heads and said rise warriors born and help your people. Sargent Samuels walked out, asking why he'd been called, then froze. Four native people stood there with their spears beside them; three were men, and one was a woman. Samuels turned, saying, get a vocal unit quickly, Lennard, he then walked forward with it, saying, we are friends and came in friendship; the pad spluttered gibberish, then a native spoke; the pad said, We Come black bonds harm to you we are from, Damm? Said Samuels and smiled. I'm sorry. We will be able to talk soon. We just need you to talk a little more, the warrior said something, but Samuels heard, leave bad kill now war, keep going, said Samuels. Looking at the pad, the warrior said, we you need now. Samuels turned the pad, making the warrior lift his spear and back up. Two others started to follow him, but a blue light hit them. All four fell to Lennard's phasor. You idiot, screamed Samuels, but Sir, we need them to get the translator working. Samuels looked daggers at him; get them from the sun; you're as bad as the Lizards. Strange noises were heard by one of the teams at the wrecked gravity wheel; the crew members Panicked and started packing up quickly to leave. Then a crewman noticed she was alone; she looked around herself, concerned, but when her friends didn't return to the meeting places, she panicked as a hand covered her mouth. What said Samuels, the whole team? Check the natives are still there, sir; no one saw them leave; shit, how did they do it? Okay, it's full security from now on, but don't shoot anyone; I need exchangeable natives. Damm, it, that bloody translator. That night, Danna and Virat sat around a fire while women and children stared in at the prisoners. Gyeth said; our warriors spoke with them, but it was insulting and unintelligible; I think it only made it worse. Then they used a blue light to catch them; why can't we attack now? Said Virat, Gyeth; it's strange, Virat. He said, They're different from us in many ways; look at that dark-skinned woman! Or the eyes on the one on the end. Danna said we need to understand them if we can. Virat jumped up from his mat, looking up; he pointed, saying, look, light is coming. Danna watched as the white light grew and grew. It flew straight down towards the big metal sky house that crashed on their plane. Yellow lights exploded from it, and burning bits of the house lept up with smoke and flame; the lights moved across it, ripping holes. It picked up speed; blue flashes came up from the ground, hitting the back of the new house as it flew towards us. Children ran screaming, pointing up at it as it flew over the village, only to vanish; the prisoners were visibly upset, trying hard to see more. The warriors, called Gyeth, Danna and Virat, were sent with a large group to investigate the attack. Look, yelled Samuels; they hit the engines and the areas around it but not the living area. Lennard laughed. It's to trap us here. They must have chased our ships out of the system. That makes sense, said Samuels, but how meny died? A technician only, Sir, but five were wounded; now we need to find a way to live with the natives, Sir said Lennard; you were told of the shuttle, yes, Lennard, but think about it. There's no way off this planet; you saw the ships up there last night! All were theirs. Opal yelled. Danna, the warriors are back from the search. We have twenty-six more boxes, and some other things were found; he laughed as Danna yelled back at him. I hope some of the things you found are useful, Opal, but we'll wait and see first. Gyeth asked me if you could find the smartest person amongst the prisoners; he's hoping to find uses for the strangest things, and he said to watch for their tricks. Ha, Opal, I'm more concerned about getting one of the smart ones who will talk us into early graves, but tell Gyeth I'll try. The prisoners were in a cave. Its timber gateway made it possible to untie them. Both warriors looked into the cave, deciding if any looked smarter than the other, then Opal pointed, saying, the girl with the black shirt, the one sitting beside the dark-skinned one, no, said Danna, the older, darker woman with brown eyes, why her, said Opal, knowledge, Virat told me that age gains it. But I think there's less chance of her fighting us. Crewman Gail Stanley was from electronic repairs. She is smart and loves nature, but Danna had taken her to a hut and tied her to a pole with only one free arm. She was stripped to her underwear and angrily looked around herself; she'd noticed the pole was part of a roof support. You smart, yes, said Danna, pointing at her with a smile; she pulled her lips back, widening her eyes in disgust. Okay, said Danna, so I've truly found a smart one. He picked up a pad and held it out to her; she could only touch the front if she tried. Danna nodded happily and pointed at it. She nodded back and poked her free hand out, then skimmed a finger over the bottom of the screen. "It lit up" Danna had found that it did that already, or one of his warriors had accidentally; she touched the top speaking to Danna - he watched her eyes, thinking hard about her intentions - she spoke again, and the pad said, hello I'm Stanley - Gail Stanley, Danna said, what? How, the pad said, What how, Gail spoke again and the pad then said, can talk for lern's, Danna looked at the two warriors with him and called, Virat, get Gyeth now, the pad repeated in gibberish, we talk longer lerning, Danna looked at her making sense out of the translation but when Gail told them that the pad had only a day or two of life she got looks of surprise, she told Danna to press a yellow spot swiping a finger over it then she held the pad out into a beam of sunlight telling him, it will solar charge itself, Danna watched the pad wondering then Gail said, you must put it in sun for an hour, Danna nodded and sent warriors to find more pads, he yelled, or any thing like it, you see, he asked Opal to look at their collection now that the debris field was bigger, excited now Danna let Gail sit while they talked the pad told him of the silver bags called protein bars, and Gail told him that just one gave a full days food content, but when Gyeth started asking more and more questions showing her things they'd found he held a box up but Gail just shook her head, No, she said, it's a weapon and I won't let it be used on my people, Danna used a blue light weapon on the ground to show he could use it, but still Gail shook her head, Virat whispered, don't let her know how many we have but try a red and see what she does, no said Danna, I think I know why she won't talk, I'll just keep on asking about other things; we're still learning from her. Sargent Samuels along with crewmen's Carter and Lennard helped to set up an A.I. drone surveillance system on a rotating roster, the ten drones lept into the air allowing the men enough time to move the recovered equipment into the shuttle ready to be moved later, the new safe camp sight that was found by a doctor's team while recovering items from the area, was looking good said Samuels, crewman Carter said, Sir, the officers hid I was told, don't believe everything you hear Carter, hiding is the most sensible thing to do in an attack, but from what I see now, if we can't get comms up soon or some help our food'll run out, yes sir by the end of the year said Lennard, lieutenants Doyl and Lin walked up, Sargent said Lin, we are happy to let you handle the security but will need to be in on any decisions, I don't see a problem with that said Samuels, you're the officers, but you do know I'm the only one here with combat experience, You two aren't old enough to have seen combat, it doesn't matter Sargent said Doyle, just call me Samuels, No,! Sargent, Keep the ranks, or we lose respect, Sargent said. Lin, You're doing a good job, but remember your place, Sir. I'll send for you "then" every time I think of something, but don't you think it'll tie up our people, slowing us down? Look, said Doyl, the roster system is working, Sargent, so morning and night briefings will do us okay. They walked off happy. Oh, bloody great, laughed Carter. Sir, their children, the, my Daddy was an officer type; a crewman ran over, Sir, we have partial comms coming up soon, when crewman, Henley said to say five minutes Sir, what range?, sir it's only local just a hundred miles or so, there's a jamming system above us, good work crewman, what's your name, Neville Sir, make sure everyone has an earpiece ready, oh, and get more drones up to give a greater range. Danna sat with Gail Stanley; they were talking through a pad when it beeped, saying, okay, you lot, partial comms are back. Keep it quiet on air until our power strength is full; solar charging units will be handed out, so use your pads until then. Danna looked at Gail as she reached over and turned the pad off; he said, does this mean you can talk to each other from here?