Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War (61 page)

January 31
st
, 2014 8:17pm EST

Lykaa

              Leah sat up quickly as he spotted something on the security feed. Just on the outer edges of the perimeter, she thought she had spotted movement.

              “What is it?” Tim asked as he sat up, setting aside his data tablet he had been using.

              “I thought I spotted movement out there. Could one of the teams be returning?” she asked hopefully.

              “I doubt it, they would have signaled up as soon as the signal became clear to warn us they were approaching,” explained Tim, his brow furrowed in concern.

              The pair continued to watch the security feed for several more minutes before Leah’s hand shot up and point to another security feed.

              “There! I can see someone moving around out there, although it looks like they are trying to stay hidden.”

              Tim studied the feed for several moments before his face paled and he shot to his feet.

              “That’s a Shenkar!”

              Leah also shot to her feet, turned and headed to the bridge exit.

              “We need to get out there and capture or kill him. If word gets back of our presence that could cause trouble for Liam and Steve,” Leah explained without turning around.

              Tim followed quickly after her, a knot forming in his stomach. Something did not seem right here. Why would one lone Shenkar be this far out.

              “Leah, wait, something isn’t right here.”

              “We don’t have time, we need to get that guy.”

              As the pair rounded the corner and headed in the direction of the airlock they encounter Alyssa coming the other way. Seeing the looks upon their faces she immediately knew something was wrong and fell into step with the pair.

              “Whats going on? Whats the rush?” she asked Tim.

              “We spotted a lone Shenkar warrior on the outer edge of the perimeter. We are headed out there to capture or kill him, although I think we should wait and get more help.”

              “There is not time,” Leah said as she reached the airlock.

              A cold wintery blast hit the trio as they opened the airlock and stepped outside. Two Praetorian Guard members who had been standing guard jumped in surprise.

              “You two, with us,” Leah commanded, not bothering to wait for a response.

              Tim noted the pair were two from the group Liam had been working with.

              “Privates Flynn and Locke correct?”

              “Yes sir,” the pair said in unison as they fell into step with the trio.

              “We have spotted a Shenkar warrior on our outer perimeter; we are going to get him.”

              The pair looked surprised at this but otherwise said nothing else.

              The five of them quickly made their way towards the location they had spotted the Shenkar warrior. When they arrived they did not find anything except footprints leading away from the ship. Leah increased her pace, almost jogging to follow the footsteps as she looked for the Shenkar warrior. Soon they ducked inside one of the nearby tunnels and it became harder to spot the footprints. Even without footprints, the tunnel did not branch out anywhere so they knew they had not lost him yet.

              The knot in Tim’s stomach grew as the feeling that something was not right with this situation grew.

              “Leah, we need to hold up, we do not know if he is alone. Something is not right with this situation,” Tim stated to Leah’s back as she moved quickly through the tunnel, her unlit plasma sword in her hand.

              Seeing this, Alyssa also removed her plasma sword but did not ignite it. Tim left his where it was on his belt, if he needed it he could retrieve it quick enough. What he needed to figure out was why would one Shenkar warrior would be all alone out beyond the fringes of the territory they inhabited. Turning to Private Locke he spoke softly.

              “I want you to fall back roughly one hundred feet and follow us from a distance. If we get into trouble that is too much for us I want you to return to the ship and let the others know. Do not try and help us. Do you understand me?”

              “Yes sir,” Private Locke stated before stopping to allow the group to get the allotted distance ahead of her.

              As they rounded the next corner, Tim spotted a Shenkar warrior jogging up ahead. Unfortunately, so did Leah, and before he could say anything she broke into a run. The Shenkar warrior’s head snapped around for a moment before he too broke into a run. The group chased the Shenkar warrior for roughly five minutes before they entered a large open cavern. The cavern was illuminated by strange lichen that covered the roof while vegetation of all sizes spread throughout the floor. Once they had made it roughly a quarter of the way into the cavern the Shenkar did something Tim had not expected yet somehow did not surprise him…..he stopped and turned around. Now that they were closer, Tim could see that their enemy wore the insignia of a Shenkar captain.

              Leah skidded to a halt and look warily at the warrior who now wore a wide grin upon his face. She raised her plasma sword, igniting it and assuming a combat stance. Tim had the feeling they had just walked into a trap. His feeling was soon confirmed as Shenkar warriors began to appear all around from behind trees, boulders and up out of tall grass. Turning about he saw their way was blocked behind them, they were completely surrounded.

              “Surrender your weapons and I will let you live,” commanded the Shenkar they had been chasing.

              “Like hell, bring it on, you will be the first one to die!” Leah said fiercely.

              The Shenkar laughed a sinister laugh and waved an arm. Tim could not have stopped what happened next as dozens of Shenkar from all around raised energy rifles and fired. Tim brought his plasma sword up but was unable to deflect most of the shots directed at him. One took him in the left shoulder, burning into his armor and the flesh beneath.  The second and third took him in the right thigh sending him to one knee. Alyssa and Leah did not seem to have been targeted but Private Flynn was not so lucky. He took four shots directly to the chest and one to the throat, sending his body off his feet to land heavily upon the cavern floor. It was clear he was dead before he hit the ground but Tim still reached over to roll him face up. Smoke rose from the entry wounds and Flynn’s eyes stared the stare of a dead man.

              “Surrender your weapons, I can assure you the next order I give will be your execution!” commander the Shenkar captain.

              “Leah, do as he says, we do not stand a chance. There is no reason to throw your life away,” Tim said from behind her.

              Leah took a moment to glance behind her and saw that Alyssa and Tim and extinguished their plasma swords and thrown them aside. Standing straight she extinguished her own sword before tossing it to the ground in front of her.

              Shenkar rushed in to bind their hands behind their backs. Tim grimaced in pain from his wounds as they lifted him to his feet. Turning his gaze upon the Shenkar captain he spoke softly.

              “You might have captured us but you do not know the hell you are about to unleash upon this world by your actions.”

              The statement seemed to catch the captain off guard and he seemed uncertain for a moment before his arrogance took over.

              “Do you really think your human reinforcements on the orbital station are enough to take this planet?!? As of this moment a Shenkar battle group has entered the system and is on route to take back the station.”

              Tim did not let this news show the surprise he felt nor did he let it discourage him. He smiled a very unpleasant smile as he gazed at the captain.

              “I was not referring to men and women on the station. I was only referring of one man.”

              The Shenkar captain looked surprised at first before he broke into laughter, as did the Shenkar nearby who overheard Tim’s statement.

              “One human? How could you possibly believe one human could make a difference?” the captain said, laughing.

              “We did not bring one normal human, we brought Dala Dvierik!” stated Tim, loud enough for all the Shenkar to hear over the laughter.

              This had the desired effect he had been looking for as all the laughter came to a sudden halt. Shenkar who had been full of confidence early suddenly looked uncertain. Even the captain seemed shaken by Tim’s declaration as he looked around. Finally when not immediate threat was evident the captain looked back at Tim.

              “You speak of fairy tales of which I do not believe. I suggest you stop speaking of such things or I will cut your tongue out.”

              Tim did not say anything more but only continued to level a flat stare upon the captain.

              “Take them away, bring them to the overlord, he will know what to do with our captives!”

              The trio was ushered away, Tim fighting to stay up as the pain in his leg spiked with every step. He knew the nanites would repair the wound over time but for now he would just need to bear it. As for their capture, he knew that as soon as Liam got word Leah had been captured, he would stop at nothing to freeing her. He knew the love Liam felt for Leah and he had seen the devastation Liam had unleashed aboard the Shenkar battlecruiser. He had not doubt if anything happened to Leah there would be no Shenkar on this planet that would be safe from dying a most horrible death if Liam got ahold of them. Tim also prayed this would not happen as he feared this could possibly drive Liam over the edge where he would be to far gone to bring him back.

January 31
st
, 2014 8:33pm EST

Lykaa

              The door opened and Garroon ran out, without any sign of the new or old injuries he had sustained. Liam stepped out as he wiped sweat from his brow. The procedure had been extensive and really had tested the extent of his healing abilities. He smiled as he watched Garroon running in circles around the courtyard, leaping over everything in sight, testing the strength of his newly repaired leg.

              It took a few moments before Liam noticed the silence that had descended upon the area as every Lykaan watched Garroon. Amazement upon their faces at watching a previously cripple running with renewed vigor. Finally Granshianka approached with several elder looking Lykaans in tow.

              “You healed him?” asked the same grizzled looking Lykaan he had encountered when they had first arrived.

              “Yes,” Liam said, not knowing if he should elaborate.

              “Why?”

              “What do you mean why? He was injured and needed help,” Liam stated, surprised by the question.

              “He is not of kin, he isn’t even of your species, so why would you help him? To gain favor with our people, I think.”

              “No, I did it because I like Garroon and I had the ability to do so. He deserves the chance to grow up and live his life,” Liam stated, a bit offended at the accusation.

              “So if we told you we would not join you in your fight against the Shenkar you would not be offended?” asked another of the elder Lykaan.

              “Why would I be? I will not lie, I would be slightly disappointed but I cannot blame you if you do not wish to put your people in harm’s way. To be honest, part of me would prefer you keep your people safe, as I do not wish to pull you into our war with the Shenkar. But the logical part of me says otherwise as I again I won’t lie when I say we need your help.”

              The elder Lykaans looked at one another, making odd gestures with their hands that Liam could only guess was some sort of sign language. This went on for several minutes until the elders turned as one to Liam. In one fluid movment all the elders went to one knee, bowing their heads. All the Lykaans then followed suit as they all went to one knee one after another until every Lykaan within view knelt on one knee with their heads bowed. Directly in front of him all the elder Lykaans spoke in unison.

              “Warrior for the people, we pledge our lives to you and vow to join you in your fight against the Shenkar.”

              As the elders finished speaking the rest of the Lykaans spoke in unison, echoing the pledge before silence descended on the area. To Liam’s left Callen spoke softly.

              “Care to guess what just happened?”

              “I would wager our commander has just won the Lykaans to our fight,” stated Admiral Kelvin from Liam’s right.