Life on Mark II

More than 1?

Chapter 8

Commander Dasya'

She heard the commotion before she saw it. The cacophony was intense and filled with shouting to "Get to the cave!"

There was an inhuman scream that definitely didn't come from the sprinting crowd that was coming towards the base. It sounded like a mixture of glass rubbing together, nails running down a chalkboard, and a metal fork scratching a porcelain plate. It was a horrible symphony of cringe worthy vocals. 

Commander Dasya' was just about to turn and run when Commander Raven ran up to her in obvious distress. Her disjointed sentences and panicked expression were enough to make her seem a little out of sorts. 

"We were being chased. . . saw someone. . . possibly more people. . . ostrich-bear rider. . .” Each break was punctuated by wild hand gestures desperately trying to get her frantic point across. 

It was all gibberish to the startled commander. Raven looked like she was trying to talk through a mild heart attack. 

Placing a hand on the frantic girl's shoulder, Dasya' tried to calm her down enough to make her slow down and explain. 

When that didn't work she shouted in her face to stop panicking and speak plain English. This tactic seemed to be more efficient in getting her attention. They started running to the safe cave Raven started to explain.

"When we were closing in on the camp and the animal was closing in on us I looked back and there was a person on it. They looked human but I could be mistaken. It seemed like they were riding on it and that they knew what they were doing." 

They were nearly at the cave when Commander Dasya' stopped in her tracks. Raven skidded to a stop a few feet ahead and ran back to where Dasya' had stopped. Raven's fellow commander was turned away from the cave and watching the advance of the rust colored monster.

"What are you doing!?" Raven yelled. The beast let out another horrible cry. They both cringed and covered their ears. 

Now the only two still outside of the safe cave the others were frantically waving for them to get a move on. Dasya' stood there looking at the giant advancing at full speed. 

"Come on we're going to get run over!!" Raven said tugging at Dasya''s arm. 

Still the commander held her ground staring straight at the advancing doom. When it was ten meters away, Commander Dasya' raised her arms in front of her as though she could stop the monster with sheer willpower. 

"What is wrong with you?!" Commander Raven shouted. 

"If it was a human you saw riding on it then maybe we can TALK to them." Said Dasya' calmly. 

Raven was so perplexed that she didn't notice the complete lack of earthquakes that accompanied the ostrich bear. 

When she finally did she turned and saw that no more than 180 centimeters away standing on only two front legs. 

Lowering it's neck to the ground they saw an unbelievable sight: A girl around the age of 18 was sliding down it's immense neck and landing neatly on the ground in front of them.

At around 6'8 she towered over both Commanders. The girl had a long braid down her back reaching her knees. Her caramel complexion seemed to glow with the afternoon sun rays. She was very athletic looking yet moved with graceful, calculated movements that was both enchanting and intimidating. 

"Who are you?" Commander Dasya' spoke first breaking the ringing silence left when the beast stopped moving. "Are you human?"

The girl looked down at the two with disdain. "It seems sad that you can't even recognize your own species." She said. 

She flashed a smirk at them. 

"As for who I am, Commander Meena Khan of the Earth Two extraterrestrial habitation mission. Who are you"

Dasya' spoke first, surprisingly without hesitation "Commander Dasya' Young of the Extra Earth extraterrestrial habitation mission." 

"Commander Raven Sanchez of the same mission." 

"So you are the ones who will give us the information?" Asked Meena. 

"What information would that be?" Inquired Dasya'

"What do you mean 'what information?'. They told us that they would send more to give us news of current events and important files that will help with the exploration and development of this planet." Meena answered with a perplexed look on her face. 

That perplexed look turned to panic as she went on. "They told us that by the time the next mission came they would be sent with data collected from base about this planet. Do you have communications with them still?" 

"We have a communications array on the shuttle." Raven said "Do you need to use it to contact the base?" 

"If I could that would be great." Commander Meena said with a relived and grateful smile. 

"Lets get this sorted out and then maybe we can let the two groups meet up." Suggested Commander Dasya'.

Meena nodded and they set off to the shuttle at a run.