Watched

My Mission, Not Yours

I know, it's short, but bear with me. This is a filler chapter, so suck it up :)

Chapter 15: Zane

            I had to make her fall asleep for my mission. There is not a way one can be late for a meeting with either the captain or the general, and I don’t want to be early either. You come on time, and no one other than the officers invited can make anyone aware of this. Even their Bonds, family, or friends.  I place a blanket over her; she’s looks so peaceful and beautiful. Truly, she deserves to be informed I’m doing something dangerous, but she cannot know. Because I know for a fact that she would try and follow me, which would give away my cover, or follow me without my knowledge and try to help me despite her condition.

            It would only be a few months now, until the babies were born. Already I am preparing for it, but the experience will be like no away mission or battle. So truly, how can I prepare for it? I pull black armor over my head, making sure that the scaly black is over every part of my skin. I give Pandora one last kiss before leaving, taking mind not to rustle the tent or anything.

            One last look, at my new home and Bond. My Bond who is sleeping while I do something dangerous that I perhaps might come back on. I am greeted by Tallik, who is also in his armor. Tallik is scanning the area, but comes up with no danger, so he gives me a slight nod. Once we get into the haze of dark woods and tree roots he comes closer.

            “What is the mission? They say only you can tell me.” He whispers, keeping his voice in a low monotone.

            “We must scout the encampment discovered from aerial view. Apparently we are not the only ones living here.” I whisper back, not seeing any more people to my group. “Are you the only other in Group A?”

            “Yes, they found that they might need a small group for stealth and a larger group for overtaking if necessary.”

            “Not their smartest move if I am to be frank.”

            “Understandable, but we must move.” I don’t need another reminder so we glide through the trees only stirring up a slight wind in the leaves.

            In no time, we reach a wide and shallow river with orange sand. We had been exploring the possibility of putting homes here, but apparently it couldn’t happen because of the encampment of the other side of the hill. A survey team took a look, and found a subterranean culture, but when we scanned for tunnels we only found a large cluster near the river and as far as another stretch of hill. 

            I have to admit, the idea of living underground is a wise idea, but I doubt the human females would go for it. They are more likely to complain, and I’m guessing Pandora would be most difficult. I give a quiet sigh, and nod to Tallik to keep moving. He uses his mental abilities to search for any people, but says that the only people he can sense are asleep. We park ourselves on the hilltop, looking at the craggy cave mouth and disturbed sand. Someone definitely comes to the surface by day, and I have a good feeling that they might be an advanced culture like we.

            I keep silent, and see something move to the right of the cave. A form shoots out, and it can only be described from this darkness and distance as small and tan. It could be a child, or maybe that is the full size of the creature. From the looks of exobiology studies, and by the way it walks, the creature is sentient. Even at its small stature and demeanor. It darts quickly, searching for something in the sand/

            I watch for the object it seeks and finds a silver tablet on the ground. The creature sees it the same time I do and makes a grab for it, stumbling over in its haste. I have to hold back a chuckle. The creature regains footing and takes the tablet, running back into the cave mouth as quickly as it came out. There is more stirring in the cave mouth, and I hear the sound of something rather heavy being moved.

            I motion to Tallik, who turns on his invisible cloaking device and mine at the same time. They shouldn’t be able to see us, but there is still a slight chance. The mouth of rock is artificially made that is for sure, and little torches light the walls. Down the corridor is a trio of guards, all of which are playing some sort of card game. All the guards wear padded armor that looks like it’s made of some sort of leather-like material, and they’re all tan skinned. A line of dots is above their eyebrows across and similar groupings spread across their body.

            We scan them silently, and keep moving. The slight creature we had seen earlier is sitting in one of the stone tables we see in the next clearing. A great cavern with tables and some sort of kitchen I presume. I watch them as they all eat, some having quiet conversation. They all seem quite friendly and regal in a way, so I motion for Tallik. Our mission is to observe, but not to go further into the caves because that would block the invisibility device and we would be seen. The device can only go so far, so we cut back through the hallways.

            The guards are still playing cards, and the slight creature, female I assume, is walking down the corridor. She nods towards the guards and one of them hands her a long metal cable. It isn’t a weapon, more like one of the cables you see on suspension bridges, only smaller and shorter. She walks into the moonlight, and shoves the cable into the ground, taking out the small tablet from earlier.

            I make Tallik walk towards our colony and give information, but he motions that he must stay put, orders. I glare in the direction of our new home and watch as she attaches the cable and tablet. New pieces shoot out from the tablet, and a telescope looking device forms. She must be looking at the stars, but then a purple light shoots from it. I feel the field around Tallik and I fluctuating, and then we both fall to the ground. Only seeing the girls shocked face as she cautiously moves towards us, then everything goes black.