Eon

Chapter 20

The Insurgents continued through the mire. A storm had produced itself on the horizon, past the Casks and their gleaming bronze ships. Fortunately for the Insurgents the storm produced no more than a slight drizzle. The small, cold splashes of rainwater, while harmless, were still an irritation, stinging the eyesight of the wanderers and aggravated the mist that swirled about. Soon the Insurgents could not see much farther than a few feet in front of them.

Carson pressed the others forward in earnest. A terror flashed across his mind as he realized they would have to return to the Cheson camp using this same route. He was not sure if he or the others had the strength to survive another venture as terrible as this one.

The call of some unknown beast echoed across. The Insurgents turned towards the noise, but saw nothing. There was a quiet tension in the air as the swamp gradually grew silent, becoming so quiet Carson could hear himself breathing.

One of the Insurgents cried out as he was swallowed into the mist. The others turned and raised their rifles. Tyler shot into the mist, twice, yelling as he did so.

At first nothing happened. Then, with another ungodly call from its jagged maw, a creature drove forward, emerging from the mist. The thing had a rough, brown hide and its eyes were completely white. It nipped at the leg of one of the Insurgents, struggling as it sought to move on land with its four, pincer-limbs.

"Fire!" Carson screamed. "Kill it, kill it!"

The Insurgents fired upon the monster. After crying out in pain, the creature dove back into the mist. The Insurgents ran, their long strides reflecting their fear. Carson tried to keep up with the others but his limp hindered him. The Insurgents slowed their pace to allow him to catch up.

A half-hour passed until finally the rain stopped and the mist parted. They were close now. They could see the forest where Joey's supplies had supposedly been stashed, as well as the Cask ships. Carson let out a thankful sigh as the party moved on with renewed strength.

They reached the end of the swamp before nightfall. As they stumbled onto dry land the Insurgents let out thankful cries. Carson himself leaned on his cane and sunk to the floor.

"That was close," the old Insurgent stated. Carson nodded, composing himself and then straining to see if the Cask ships showed any sign of movement. The alien crafts were a fair distance away, but their very presence sent Carson's nerves on fire.

"This better be fucking worth it," Tyler said as he drifted forward, his rifle swinging in his arms.

"We're about to find out," Carson said. He struggled to his feet. Tyler walked to the crippled Insurgent and helped him up, prompting a thankful nod. Soon the others were also ready to move. Carson could sense their restlessness.

"Joey said the boxes are near a dead tree on the outskirts of that forest." Carson pointed to the forest near the parked Cask ships. "I don't want any chatter unless absolutely necessary. I doubt they don't know we're here, but we should try and keep a low profile. Understand?"

The others nodded grimly.

Carson nodded. "Good. Follow my lead, and we'll get out of here quick. Let's go."

Ducking low and stepping quietly over the long grasses, Carson and the Insurgents headed to the nearby forest. The forest itself mimicked the other forests of Eon: vital, energetic, and littered with shadows. The only oddity was the series of dead trees on the outskirt of the treeline, not far from the Insurgent's current position. They reached their destination in a few short moments. The night was reaching its apex now. A shooting star flashed across Carson's vision, but he ignored it. With each step he cursed his crippled leg. This recon mission had revealed what a liability he had become.