He dodged around the aircraft and began stumbling down the hill. The ringing in his ears muffled any sounds that may have been nearby. He was barely able to hear his own footsteps as the sticks and leaves cracked underneath his weight. He assured himself that Corsec was just past the next gully, or over the next hill, but no matter how far he wandered, he found nothing but ferns and trees.
After another hundred yards, he came to the first sign of civilisation—an old stone road six feet high. He climbed up onto it with his last bit of strength, and then collapsed.
‘Corsec,’ he said, and then lying down on the smooth stones, the last thing he remembered was a strange fragrance filling his lungs.
* * *
Two Alliance scouts approached the wreckage in the forest.
‘Commendable shooting, twenty-five.’
GSI25 acknowledged the compliment with a nod.
‘This is General Scout Infantry 30 reporting; we have located the crash site.’
‘Any survivors?’ asked General Alkon Zaccarah over the communicator.
GSI30 nodded to his accomplice to check the craft, returning shortly after shaking his head.
‘No, sir, no survivors,’ said GSI30.
‘Check the deceased, is there a boy among them?’
GSI30 approached the craft and took a quick look inside. ‘No, sir, just two pilots.’
‘He is still alive,’ said Alkon. ‘Find him.’
‘Yes, sir. GSI25, target remains at…’
The communicator went silent.
‘Scout, do you read?’ asked Alkon. ‘Scout, can you hear me?’
‘Sorry, sir, it seems we’re not alone out here.’
‘Is it the boy?’
‘No, sir, something else.’
‘What?’
‘I don’t know, sir, it’s ... it’s moving too fast to be human.’
GSI25 turned to the bushes as he heard the same disturbance, a swift sound rustling the leaves in the immediate area and breaking fallen branches as it raced around them. Silence came again as Alkon spoke.
‘It is probably just a rat, scout. Proceed as planned.’
‘You have entered the Ukotan jungle,’ came a deep voice through another communicator.
‘Callibrian?’ asked Alkon with annoyance. ‘What are you doing on this frequency?’
‘Wondering why you have set out to kill the one I wish followed,’ said Kobin, ‘and perhaps saving your men’s lives.’
‘You have no authority here, Callibrian. The boy must die.’
‘Do not worry, General, he is already dead, thanks to your men shooting his aircraft down. As for your men, it would be advisable to leave now, while they still can.’
‘Hold your ground, Scouts,’ said Alkon. ‘It is a trick. He is trying to give the boy time to get away.’
Kobin chuckled deeply.
‘Sir,’ said GSI30, ‘it’s coming closer—whatever it is, it’s almost here.’
‘You have your weapons. Fire at will,’ said Alkon.
‘Your command, sir.’
‘Don’t miss,’ said Kobin dryly.
‘Get off this frequency, Callibrian. We have no time for your childish insults.’
‘Insults? I hear no insults,’ said Kobin. ‘I am here only to give warning of the beasts that are now stalking your scouts. Aim between their eyes, if you can, anywhere else will only upset them further.’
‘What are you talking about, Callibrian? Explain yourself or get off this frequency, now!’
‘Your men have entered the Ukotan jungle, as it is called in these parts. Few have ever survived to tell the tale, but it is said that the last of the creatures from the Forgotten Years inhabit the region.’
‘You speak of myths,’ began Alkon, but he was interrupted by GSI30.
‘They’re blocking our way out! There are hundreds of them!’
Both scouts began to back up against the walls of the aircraft.
‘We need back-up, now!’ they cried.
‘Hold your positions, it’s on its way,’ said Alkon, but he was silenced as a scream came from the communicator, followed by a low growl and rounds being fired. The communicator soon went blank with nothing more than static after another blood-curdling scream, the second scout’s communicator losing connection.
Alkon stood stunned for a moment, but then lowered his eyes in defeat. As much as he didn’t want to believe it, he knew Kobin was telling the truth now, and both of his scouts were gone.
‘Callibrian!’ he shouted into the communicator. ‘Report to me immediately at my quarters!’
Alkon threw the black device away in disgust and hurried to reach his quarters before Kobin did.
As Kobin entered the open door, Alkon did his best to keep his voice down. ‘What happened?’ he asked.