GALAXY AT WAR - Book 4 - A Dark Time

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - March 2173 - Trachus

It had been nearly three weeks since Captain Xenorphide's forces had found the last remaining soldiers that Dowdneer had sent to Trachus. The fissure in the rock had widened out into a small cave in which the original assault and infiltration teams, led by sergeants' Aopiloride and Tmindorphille, had fought and won the first battle.

There had, however, been another, larger, cave further underground which had proven to be a kill zone due the single file access to it. Any time one of Captain Xenorphide's soldiers had attempted to breach the cave, they were mercilessly cut down. Thus, a standoff had occurred. The captain couldn't keep sending his soldiers to certain death. He had to find another way. A lucky sighting of one of the rogue soldiers in the valley the other side of the rocky hill, which formed a natural perimeter for the east side of the habitat, had led them to the hostiles.

They had remained undetected so far. Keeping out of sight as they observed the soldier gathering resources before returning to the others via a hole in the ground which led back to the rocky hill. Captain Xenorphide's plan was to capture the soldier when he came out again and send in one of his own soldiers to pave the way for his forces to infiltrate the cave.

Sergeant Tamir Tmindorphille had been chosen as the soldier to infiltrate the cave. He was waiting near to where the soldier would come to gather water. The rest of the squad were waiting out of sight, ready for the signal to advance. Tamir was watching the entrance with some binoculars. He saw a head rise out of the hole and cautiously look around before emerging a little further and continuing to scan the area.

He climbed out of the hole then turned back and took a rifle from an unseen tranchillion who remained in the hole. The soldier looked around again then walked towards the stream where Tamir was hiding. Tamir put the binoculars away then turned onto his back. He was lying in some, foot high, grass but he covered himself with some dirt to blend in with the environment better.

The rogue soldier passed by him just five-hundred yards away, still looking in every direction as he went. His preoccupation with looking into the distance, instead of the ground around him, probably helped Tamir remain undetected.

Tamir waited for a count of ten then slowly lifted his head to watch the soldier's progress towards the stream. He waited until the soldier was squatting beside the water before he sat up and crept towards his target on all six limbs, keeping as low as he could. Once he was close, he bolted and sprang towards his target before he could realise he was in trouble.

The soldier had half-turned and barely caught a glimpse of Tamir before he was knocked into the stream. He struggled briefly before being pinned to the floor by Tamir.

"Are there any passcodes to get into the cave?" said Tamir.

"I'm saying nothing."

Tamir grabbed one of the rogue soldier's arms and lifted it upwards, against the joint until he cried out in pain. "Tell me!"

"No."

Tamir applied more pressure until he heard a snap, causing him to scream. "Tell me. It's not worth the pain, soldier."

"Do what you like to me. It I don't return soon the cave entrance will be covered like the first one. You'll never get in."

"Thank you," said Tamir.

"What?"

"Doesn't matter," Tamir signalled for the team to move in.

"Take him back to the habitat," said Tamir once the squad arrived next to him. "They're not covering this entrance, but we have to go quickly, or they'll realise something's wrong."

"Sir," said one of Sergeant Tmindorphille's soldiers. He put some wrist binders on the rogue soldier then used the electric shock to render him unconscious.

One of Sergeant Tmindorphille's squad stayed with him as they hurried towards the hole. They stopped short of the hole and Tamir called out, "I had some trouble up here. I caught one of them. Watch out below."

The soldier next to Tamir had laid his weapons on the ground and waited next to the hole. Tamir nodded then the soldier jumped into the hole. The soldier tumbled and hit the ground before rolling several times to a stop.

The tranchillion waiting in the tunnel stood over the soldier with his weapon trained on him. "Don't move."

Tamir dropped down with his back to the hostile.

"Was he the only one?"

"I couldn't see any more. He was at the stream already. I didn't know if I was to bring him back or not."

"We'll let the lieutenant decide," the tranchillion, who had only looked up briefly as Tamir dropped down, now bent over the soldier on the ground.

Tamir closed the gap in a blur of speed and knocked the rifle from the rogue soldier's hands before smashing his head against the rocky wall. The soldier dropped to his knees and Tamir knocked him unconscious with a vicious punch to his temple. "Bind him then follow me."

They walked down a narrow tunnel which sloped gently downwards before levelling out then opening into a large cave. The cave was lit by several flaming torches spaced out around the perimeter. Shadows were dancing in time to the flicker of the flames.

"Nothing eventful?" called one rogue from the centre.

"No," said Tamir. He spotted the basin in which they kept their water and walked over to it. He poured the water from the flasks that had been filled from the stream while looking around casually. There were five rogue tranchillions in here. They could easily be taken by surprise but Tamir didn't know how many more awaited them between here and the original cave.

"You're not saying much," said one rogue soldier from his right.

Tamir was saved from answering by the sound of laser fire coming from the next cave.

"They must be trying again. Xenorphide doesn't give up," the rogue from the centre of the room pointed to two of his soldiers. "Come with me." All three left the cave to join the rest.

Tamir finished pouring the water into the basin and was aware of the tranchillion to his right approaching. "What's wrong?"

Tamir saw his other squad member casually walking towards the other rogue soldier and held his head in his top pair of hands. "A headache. It's nothing."

"Are you sure? You don't sound right."

Tamir dropped his hands and turned sharply towards the advancing rogue soldier. "I'm sure," Tamir pointed his pistol at the surprised soldier. "Now, drop your weapon."

The other rogue soldier took a step towards Tamir and raised his rifle but Tamir's partner fired a stun bolt at him and he dropped to the floor. Tamir did the same.

"Go back up and signal for the others," ordered Tamir. He moved over to the entrance to the second cave and listened. Laser fire was still ringing out. The distraction was working.

He looked around as soldiers began pouring in behind him. "They're through there. Give them a chance to surrender but don't risk your men."

The assault team marched through the tunnel. "Surrender in the name of the emperor!" There was a moment of silence then the sound of laser fire carried down the tunnel. Tamir knew there would be no survivors.

"Maybe these three will have some intel for us. Take them to the captain."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:- Please remember to vote and or comment if you enjoyed this chapter. 

The next chapter is longer than most of the previous ones. So it will take a little longer to post.

Thank you.

S P LAKIN