Eden's Children (Earth Exiles Book 2) (24 page)

Mike stepped back and waved Matki forward, “Well, you know the way, so why don’t you lead us there.”

They stepped out with renewed vigor.  The dangers of the past two days and the lack of sleep seemed far away.  Now that their goal was in sight, everybody wanted to get there.  The sun was still high when Matki told them about a camping site he used.  They were reluctant to stop, hoping to gain more ground.

Matki chided them, “My tribe will still be there in two days.  You are my guests now.  This is my home. Let me take you to one of my camping sites.  No matter how far we go today, it is still two days away.  Better to stay at my hunting camp than to stay out in the forest.”

The camping site was pitched close to the cliff face, surrounded by trees.  The campsite reminded Mike of a kraal, used by the natives in Africa, with branches that had been weaved and stacked together to create an impenetrable camp site.  It even had some thorn branches weaved in.  There was a door to place against the opening.  The kraal didn’t have a roof, but it was better than no protection at all.

“Stylin’,” Mickey said.

Matki nodded, and said, very seriously, “and profilin’.  I use this site a lot.  It is perfectly placed for a stop between my tribe and the dragon valley.  Hunters from the tribe use this as well.”

“Think we’ll see some of your people down this way?” Mike asked.

Matki pointed back in the direction that led to the dragon valley, “We have one scout further back in that direction.  There is a good possibility that we will run into his replacement.  Also, the tribe was hunting for more food to store in case the spawn came up here.”

“Good thing that’s not going to happen now,” Everett pointed out.

Matki nodded, “It is a good thing.”

Tom spit on the ground, “If ya’ll are finished jawin’, Matki and I might be able to find some food for us.  We can probably get it cooked before nightfall.”

Everybody was tired of the pemmican.  Bellies were shaking hands with backbones.  Tom and Matki went hunting and Mickey made a small fire with the driest wood they could find, hoping to create as little smoke as possible.  The trees above the kraal helped to disperse the smoke.

Soon, the hunters came back with three small animals that looked like rabbits.  The animals were skinned, gutted and cooked in quick order.  The team racked out in their sleeping bags, one guard on duty, full bellies helping them to fall asleep.

----------------------------------------------------

The biological was hidden, its dun colored fur blending against the landscape.  It followed the target, and now it waited.  It tracked by scent.  Genetically engineered, the prey’s scent determined what the biological did.  The strength of the scent triggered its programmed responses.  It would wait until the scent was very faint, down to a few parts per million.  Then its genetic programming kicked in and it would start tracking again. 

The biological had been developed for extended deployment.  Robots were problematic for use in the field, due to maintenance constraints.  The hunter killers and scouts were too small to put a q-battery in, so they needed to be recharged.  The larger warrior class was too big to be stealthy.  Biologicals, on the other hand, could be used for long distance tracking.  Once they were released, they didn’t need any maintenance.  They could find their own food and water.  Incredibly reliable, once the biological was on target, it couldn’t switch targets until it knew the original was dead.  Other biologicals had been used here as well.  They’d been instrumental in targeting the larger thregari population on the planet.

The biological settled down.  The target was stationary, and the part per million count was well within tolerance.  It would stay in the area, waiting for the target to move again.  The other part of the tracking equation was the harness that the biological wore.  The harness had an electronic A.I. that had a simple decision matrix.  If the target didn’t move for forty-eight standard Terran hours, the A.I. would beam out a geo-coordinate.  Then, the grey men would come and kill the target.

----------------------------------------------------

The team was well rested.  They moved quickly through the woods, the closeness of Matki’s tribe putting energy in their stride.  The stream they’d followed south merged with another river flowing northwest.  The new river flowed swiftly, deep and cold.  Mike pointed that out.

Matki nodded, “Yes, it comes from high in the mountains.  The river keeps this valley cool.  It’s one of the reasons that the dragons can’t come up here.”

They turned to follow the river.  The valley they were in grew wider.  They were walking uphill again.

Tall trees swayed in the breeze coming off of the mountains.  It was a little colder here, with more moisture in the air.  Mike was reminded of the forests of the Pacific Northwest.  The underbrush was thicker, dragging at their clothes.  Early morning was filled with the sound of bird calls, the birds flitting from bush to bush all morning.

They’d been traveling for several hours when Mike decided it was time for a break.  The last few days had been tough, constantly embroiled in combat.  Now, without anybody or anything trying to kill them, they had time for leisure.  Mickey was on guard.  Rob was sleeping.  Tom and Mike were taking turns throwing small rocks at a bigger rock about ten feet away.  Everett had a ragged deck of cards.  He was playing solitaire in the dirt.  Matki watched him, and pointed at a card that Everett had missed.  Everett played another card, and Matki reached forward to tap a card where it could be better played.

A bird sounded in the trees.  Matki’s hand stopped before it reached the card.  He lifted his hand straight into the air, fingers outstretched.  The unusual movement didn’t go unnoticed.

Mike was about to throw a stone, but he stopped when he noticed Matki’s movement out of the corner of his eye.  He watched as Matki’s hand went up.

“What’s wrong, Matki?”

The rest of the team grew attentive.

“We have company,” Matki replied.

Mike’s hand strayed toward his rifle.  Matki glanced at Mike, “That would not be a good idea, Mike.”

Mike pulled his hand back, “Friends of yours?”

Matki nodded, “Yes they are.  They want to make sure that I am in good company.”

“Okay.  You play it your way.”

Matki’s grin was back, “Good idea Mike.  Otherwise you would be filled with arrows.”

Matki stood up slowly, held up both hands, and yelled out a greeting.  It was answered, and a young man cautiously walked forward, atlatl in hand, arrow nocked.  He was dressed like Matki, hair and beard braided in a similar style.  Matki and the youth continued talking.  “Geonti, well met.  How are you?” Matki asked.

Mike was able to follow what Matki was saying, but the young man was talking too fast for Mike to understand.

“Matki, could you speak a little slower?” Mike asked.  “It’s hard for me to understand.”

Matki nodded and explained to the young man.  They both slowed their talk so that Mike, and the rest of the team, could follow the conversation.

“I am well Matki Awrani.”  The young man pointed at Mike and the team, “You have strange travel companions.”

Matki smiled, “Strange, but not strangers.  These are my friends from the tribe in the dragon valley.”

Geonti maintained his distance, close enough to talk to Matki, but far enough away that the team couldn’t physically attack him.  Mike was impressed.  Matki noticed as well.  He walked forward, and put his hand on Geonti’s shoulder, “It is okay, we are among friends.”

Matki pointed at each team member and introduced them.  As they were introduced, the team stood.  Geonti’s eyes grew round as Mickey levered himself from the ground and towered above him, a veritable giant to the young man.

Matki pointed at Mike last, “This is Mike.  He is their leader.”

He turned to Mike, “Mike, this is Geonti.  He is a hunter with my tribe.”

Mike stood up, brushed the dirt off his pants, and nodded at Geonti, “Pleasure to meet you.”  Mike walked forward and offered his hand.  Geonti looked at the proffered hand, confused.  Matki spoke, and Geonti pushed his hand forward, fingers spread.  Mike took the hand.  There was no real grip.

Mike looked over at Matki, “You’re going to have to teach him how to shake a hand.”

Matki laughed, “Yes, I guess so.  That is not a tradition with my people.”

Geonti stiffened as Matki laughed.  He moved to pull his hand back, and Mike let go.  Geonti said something, his voice sharp with anger.  Matki shook his head.  Matki answered him.  Geonti was partially mollified by the answer.  The anger receded from his face.  He nodded brusquely.

Mike told Geonti a phrase he’d learned from Matki, “Ronti tian shali land rakash,” which meant, “It is an honor to meet a great hunter.”

Geonti looked startled at Mike’s words, then he bowed.  His body language changed after he absorb Mike’s statement.  Geonti said something to Matki that Mike couldn’t follow.  Matki grinned.

Mike looked over at Matki, “What did he say?”

“He said you look and sound strange, but you have a keen eye and good judgement.”

Mike laughed.  A light smile brushed across Geonti’s face, and his body language loosened up some more.

“Are you traveling alone?” Matki asked.

Geonti shook his head, “No, I have other hunters with me.  We were moving down to replace Canduen as scout.  We were going to hunt on the way back.”

Matki continued, “I take them to talk to Owlt Joacar to discuss trade.”

Geonti shook his head, “I doubtful that Owlt Joacar will want to talk.  He is upset right now.  He thinks that Owlt Kren from the Nedan tribe gouged him on a trade.

Matki grinned, moved his hand down to his waist, and slid out the knife that fabrication had made for him, “I think Owlt Joacar will be very interested in trading with the Dragon Valley tribe if we can get more of these.”

Geonti’s eyes lit up when he saw the knife.  His hand strayed down to the flint knife at his hip.

Mike watched the movement.  Mike saw the longing in Geonti’s expression.  He turned, walked to his backpack, knelt down and started rummaging through the pack.  He pulled a sheathed, steel, trade knife out, turned, and tossed it to Geonti.

Geonti caught it.  He looked at the knife, turning it over in his hands.  Then he pulled it from the sheath.  He looked back at Mike.

Mike stood up, walked over and said, “My gift to you.”

Matki translated Mike’s words, and Geonti’s eyes lit up, “You have just made me a rich man.”

Mike grinned, “I think you will become one of our best salesmen.”

Geonti looked puzzled, “I don’t understand.”

Matki answered, “When the other hunters see your knife, they will want one too.”

Understanding lit Geonti’s eyes, “You are a shrewd trader, Mike.  I think that Owlt Joacar will be disappointed again soon.”

Mike smiled, “Well, hopefully not.  I want to make sure that we all profit from our business.”

Matki and Geonti traded information, Matki asking about home.  Soon, Geonti indicated that he was ready to leave, “I need to go.  Canduen will be happy to know that he doesn’t have to stay so close to the dragon valley anymore.”

Matki cautioned him, “Geonti, be careful.  We have had trouble the past few days.”

“What has happened, Matki Awrani?” Geonti asked.

“We had to fight a different tribe.  They are dressed strangely.  They are grey men, taller than us, but shorter than my new friends,” Matki motioned toward the team.  “They are as wide as him,” Matki pointed at Mickey.  Geonti’s face grew serious at this news.

Matki continued, “We killed eight of the grey men.  They continue to hunt us.  They have strange magic.  They have platforms that can float in the air.  They also have servants that are made from metal like your new knife.  Watch out for anything strange.  Stay under the trees, don’t stray into the open fields.”  Matki continued, explaining what they would hear and feel if one of the ‘floating platforms’ appeared.

Geonti thanked him for the information and disappeared into the foliage, heading back to his hunters.  Mike didn’t hear or see anybody else on Geonti’s team, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there.  It just leant credibility to their competence as woodsmen.

Mike turned to Matki, “Do you have problems with other tribes?”

Matki shook his head, “No, there is enough in these mountains for everybody.  Sometimes one tribe will get a better trade than others, but mostly we are happy with our deals.”  Matki interwove his fingers together, “Our tribes need each other.  We trade our young men to other tribes so that they can learn from them, and hopefully bring back a wife.  Our tribes would die if we couldn’t do so.”

Mike nodded, “I understand this.  Our tribe will have this problem as well.”

Matki grinned, “Maybe our women can tempt some of your unmarried men.”

Mike had no doubt of that.  He hesitated to tell Matki that there wouldn’t be any children from the union, though.

“Well, we’re all up, so let’s head out,” Mike said.

Matki agreed, “Yes, let us go.”

“Anxious Matki?” Everett asked.

“Oh yes, I am always anxious to get home.”

Mike smiled, “You heard the man.”

The team grabbed their equipment and started walking.

“How much further, Matki?” Mike asked.

“Are we there yet?” Rob asked.

“He’s touching me,” Mickey said.

“I need to pee,” Tom chimed in.

Matki looked at Tom, “We can stop if you need to make water, Tom.”

That comment brought laughs.  Matki grinned, even though he didn’t know what the joke was.

Tom put his arm around Matki’s shoulder, “No, I don’t really need to pee.  It’s just a joke.”

Matki nodded, “That is okay.  I don’t understand most of what you talk about anyway.”

“Don’t comprehend, or don’t understand?” Mike asked.

“I comprehend most of what you say.  I just don’t understand it.  The words come out of your mouth, and you say things, but then the words don’t make sense.”

“I’ve been telling Mike that for years, Matki,” Everett quipped.

Mike glared at Everett, “Don’t make me stop this car.  I’ll turn it right around, and we’ll go right back home.”

A heavy sigh escaped from Tom.

“What’s up, Tom?” Everett asked.

“Well, right then is about the time that Dad would pull the car over, and I’d get an ass whuppin’.  I miss Dad.”

Matki put his hand on Tom’s arm since he wasn’t tall enough to put it on his shoulders, “Don’t worry my friend.  You have new family.  You are my family now.  Soon, you will meet the rest of your family.”

“Mi casa es su casa, mi amigo,” Rob said.

Matki was really confused now, “What was that?”

Rob chuckled, “I’m sorry Matki.  You’re just learning English, and I threw Spanish at you.  It means, ‘My house is your house.”

Matki beamed at the translation, “Yes, that is it exactly.  My house is your house.  My family is your family.”  He paused, then smiled, “But my wife is my wife, not yours.”

That brought chuckles.

“You can trust me with your life, but not your money or your wife,” Everett said.

“Oh man, I knew too many guys like that back at Bragg and Benning,” Tom said.  “I had a First Sergeant that told me he would check on Barbara when I was deployed.”

“What did you tell him,” Mike asked.

“I told him that she liked to aim low with the shotgun.”

“And?”

“Barbara said she didn’t have any visitors while I was gone.”

----------------------------------------------------

The sun was tracking down in the sky behind them.  A few hours and it would set behind the mountains.  Mike looked to Matki, “Where do you want to stay for the night?”

Matki pointed at the road ahead, “We will walk another hour.  There is another hunter’s camp close.”

“Is it like the last location?”

Matki shook his head, “No, it is much more secure.”

Mike smiled.

When they arrived at Matki’s hunting camp, it was much more than they’d hoped for.  Mike could tell that this place had been in use for a very long time.  It was built with stacked stone and mortar, the stone well weathered.  It had a primitive fireplace on the other side of the room, with kindling and wood stacked next to it.  There was a ‘door,’ made of wood posts wound with animal skin and sinew.  It was placed against the door and then three more posts were wedged in horizontally behind it to keep it in place.  It was cramped, but clean, with just enough room for all of them to lay on the stone floor.  Much better than sleeping in the dirt.

Rob looked around when he stepped inside, “Damn, I could get used to this.”

“Did your people build this?” Everett asked.

Matki shook his head, “No, this has been here for a very long time.  My grandfather told me that it was filled with dirt almost to the ceiling when they found it.  They dug it out, and we use it now.”