Extraction Issues 23

Chapter 23

Cavern Entrance

Cycle 6002.64

It was was a messy end to the day on the craft. It had started the false alarm of reactor shielding failure. After this the captain then got busy prepping the crew for movement and once that was underway he took a small group of the crew headed into the village for talks with the lizards.

He and Gil had both gone in armour to one of the towns meeting places. This was because the initial lizard reaction was so shocked that the captain was expecting more brawling than all the previous meetings combined.

Nat and Nyutri went as Gil’s security. Ronnec and Punching Bag went with the captain despite him being pretty sure he would have scraped through by himself okay. The others weren’t so sure and so they were a party of six, heading off to sit around the fire with some fiercely angry lizard-elites.

A couple of four-wheelers dropped them at the village gates. The group weren’t confronted and attacked by lizard-elite on arrival. Taking it as a sign that things had calmed down; the four-wheelers were turned off. As they wandered in the village. They could hear the angry clicks and tacks before they got to the old meeting building.

This was one of the older and more run down buildings in the elite area of town. Punching Bag commented that it looked like they didn’t have big meetings much any more. The captain said that this could work out well after all. He requested that unless he instructed otherwise, if they could be as diplomatic and big minded as possible. Those with him were confused but gave half-hearted agreements.

They shoved open a big door that dragged on the ground because of a sagging door frame. It had already been used plenty today judging by the fresh dents and scratch marks that seemed to be from back-handed blows.

As they entered, things temporarily dimmed to angry mutters or icy quiet.

It was an odd building; mainly open under rough log rafters. The exceptions were that there was a masonry framed discussion area in the centre and pretty much four burning piles around the outside. The fires had been thrown together so quickly that they just looked like unwanted sticks and logs that were going to be burnt off in a paddock

The captain was surprised, he was used to meetings filled with anger and quarreling. The feeling in the room was more intense. The captain got the uncomfortable feeling that there were lizards with raw hatred and killing intent. What was going on with this tribe?

They had thought that Sihric had been big, but the speaker for the night was bigger again. He thanked the soft-humans for coming so quickly. He introduced himself as Spimarcs, then indicated a spot for them to stand.

From the back of the room anonymous jeering clicks agreed that the positioning couldn’t be better, it was the perfect spot for criminals and those that betrayed the tribe’s trust.

The muttering rose to angry arguing before Spimarcs threatening tack silenced the room. He told the soft-humans that that was the only space on the floor not allocated to a family. Sometimes criminals stood there so that they were not seen as representing their family.

He continued cautioning those that that hadn’t been blessed with enough brains to see; that these soft-humans might well be new family and they should that in mind before they moved their tongues. To get things underway again Spimarcs asked the soft-humans if they could explain why they had contacted them after that sundown.

The captain hoped being blunt would be the best option. He said that Sihric had asked for an extraction ceremony and during the course of this the generator itself incorporated shark genetics and features. Then the generator shielding failed and after the ceremony it disengaged from the temple.

As soon as this was translated the room burst into deafing tacks. It was filled with angry stomps and the hitting of posts. Then some of the lizards just leapt at the soft-humans. A lot of the more senior members made enough of an effort to catch there impulsive younger family members.

Some families did not though and there was a small force that kept coming. Spimarcs definitely wasn’t affected by his size. He easily leapt and blocked most of those taking action.

The first one that got through to the soft-human group looked like an up and coming adolescent. It ran and swung at Punching Bag with full force. Punching bag stepped and moved with the punch so that it did little more than graze his chin. This peculiar action was enough to confuse the lizard and stop it in it’s tracks.

In the mean time another sprang at Gil. This time Nat shoved Gil back as she went to deal with the problem. Nyutri was at her side in the blink of an eye, then as the lizard leapt they smiled and leapt to. It was hard to tell what happened next. After a rather anticlimactic collision they landed with the aggressor face down on the ground and both had managed to secure a hold on a wrist or claw to inflict pain if it thought of causing more problems.

The adolescent was about to have another go, having recovered from it’s shock. But it was grabbed by Spimarcs and whisked away. While the physical violence was now barely restrained the insults were not.

More aggressive tacks cut through the less mindless insults. Why had they even let such soft, undependable beings into the cavern? Other comments cutting through the noise jeered that they were worse than criminals; they were a family of heretics helping the weaker half-lizards destroy all that was pure about their tribe.

This riled the crowd up so much that nothing could be made out any more and little fights started everywhere.

When the energy of the fighting was dying down Spimarc scanned the scene around him with disappointment. He waited a little longer and let out a tack that was more like a growl. It’s menacing bass cut through all the noise in the building and this time things fell quiet.

The quiet remained for a while as no-one was quite sure how to procede. Nyutri almost fell over when Gil’s little voice asked from behind her if this had ever happened before.

This unleashed another wave of yelling and insults that turned into an incoherent racket.

This time a raspy tack cut through and silenced the room. The lizards were clearly as surprised as the soft humans were and started moving away from one of the walls very quickly. Something the same size as Spimarc stomped slowly to the centre.

Even before they saw it the room announced with surprised clicks that the tainted one had spoken.

It stomped it’s way through the crowd and wandered around the centre area with no-one daring to stop it. This creature initially appeared badly mutated, but as it got close they could see that it was some sort of hybrid that could well of been one of Means long lost cell mates.

It wandered around and stopped in front of Gil. While the others around her were terrified and restrained by orders, Gil’s stupid curiosity let her gaze back at the creature. Like the lizard men it at least had eyes compared the hollow things that Mean once had in substitute.

It calmly examined Gil and then contentedly sighed saying it could see why she had been chosen as a priestess. Then it turned around and plonked down wearily. Bizarrely it now looked like an infant creature, well in-terms of posture .

It clicked saying that a priestess had spoken, so she must be answered and it was probably time that at least one old story was retold.

He shuffled back to the back toward the wall a little more so that he could easily talk to the lizard families and soft-humans at the same time. He said that the generators used to come and go on an agreed schedule. They would swim into position when the tides, stars and seasons best suited them all.

Their were two mega beasts, clearly one like an alligator that was the size of an island of several trees. Then there was the beast of the depths, they probably only had names for it in their stories. He pointed out he had got his long neck from it and the webs between his claws were owing to the fact that it was a four finned creature.

Except for seasonal exceptions, the two beasts had pretty much alternated when they appeared at the beast chamber. The priests used to be as much in charge of preparing tasty gifts, as they were guiding those through the blessing ritual. Eventually priests chose one beast to feed and prepare those of the island for connecting with.

This worked well for several generations. Then one day, the beast of the depths found a mysterious cause. Sometimes it would take warriors with it. When they returned, they never said what they had done. Eventually they all left with the beast, including the priests and the tribe members that stayed had never seen them since.

Then as the fighting when the followers of Tliet had intensified, their elders had trapped the remaining beast in the chamber. They had also forced stronger connections on those that could handle the blessing.

Having briefly shared his views, despite jeering tacks for him to be silenced, the tainted one finished his explanation. He summed up by saying that he was happy that the beast was free again now that those of Tliet were dealt with.

His last clicks unleashed a deafing roar of tacks and clicks.

When it quietened down from a thunderous roar, more tacks cut through.

One cried out that it was now clear that the tainted one was the mastermind behind this all.

That brought temporary silence before the thunderous roar began again and full out fighting broke out. The groups of lizards clashing in the firelight were spectacular despite the seriousness of the situation. This time Spirmarc couldn’t stop the flow of warriors charging at the tainted one.

If Punching Bag had had any doubts about the similarity of form they now disappeared. The tainted ones eyes became covered by protective scales and now glowed. He looked like a stout baby wingless dragon as he braced on all fours for the fight that was just about on-top of him.

But as he fought his age showed. He might have been more powerful than Sihric; with a shock-wave that shook the entire building, but he was slow and graceless. Punching Bag took one final look to admire the old fighter as the rest of the soft-humans were out the door. He only got to see the claws of and elite slicing under the scales of the tainted ones neck. Blood gushed out before the old creature collapsed dead.

The soft-humans weren’t the only ones fleeing the building. All exits were being made use of by those that didn’t want to be caught up in the chaotic fighting. They ran back to towards the main gate. The captain had already called over the comms for those in the four-wheelers to have them ready to burn rubber.

The four-wheelers quickly approached backing recklessly down the rough streets. They stopped short and the groups quickly started to pile in. As this was happening three elite ran at them. Nyutri and Punching Bag instantly became the rear-guard.

Noticing this, the lizards stopped and did their chest bump salute. They asked if the soft-humans were heading to the beast chamber anytime soon. The said the captain laughed and said they sure were. He added if they were hitching a ride they better jump in quickly.

The four-wheelers didn’t make as hasty a retreat with the extra passengers. Nyutri rode on the back tray of one, so it started the trip back to the craft faster. Punching Bag rode on the others back tray with one of the lizard-elite. They were still in the village to hear the creak and crash of the old meeting house collapsing with the violence inside it. Their driver was taking more care over severe bumps due to the visitor riding in the back.

Meanwhile Dueliet had been tracking two situations. She had set up in a strange temporary engineering office, with consoles tapped into the freshly calibrated scanners. The main engineering team and some of the crew were getting ready for another investigation on one of the smaller vessels. They were loading up whatever one might need for scanning and surviving a generator cave that made lizard fighters.

Thankfully the first observation job of her strange temporary office had gone as well as it could. The less experienced technician had struggled with both the adjustments to the scanners and the reason why they were monitoring Nyoma.

Dueliet had told them they would find out soon enough. About two thirds of a demi later three characters had emerged and confronted her. Before she got over to the console the tech added that she had kicked one in the balls in a worried voice. Should he contact security immediately?

When Dueliet got to the console she took it in and then laughed. She said not to worry, as far as she could tell things were going very well. She was more disappointed that she wouldn’t get to see how things played out. The tech was confused and said he would keep monitoring the group.

Half a demi later the other tech reported that the two four-wheelers had left the village and were coming in fast despite being over-loaded.

Dueliet didn’t hesitate this time. She made an announcement for everyone in the ship to prepare for further movement. The team was coming in hot from the village, so she wanted the engines fired up and the bridge ready. Then Ronnec would probably do something clever and vomit inducing to get them out of there.

Martin was appointed in this announcement to organise the remaining engineers to get things ready and the four-wheelers stowed quickly. All other personal were to secure anything that they had duties for, then personal belongings. They must be ready to move immediately to an emergency travel appropriate area. If they were unsure about this, they were to find out now.

With that done she told the techs that this applied to them to. Once they had secured or removed the consoles they were using, they were to follow Martin’s instructions. With that done she ran for the bridge.

As she got there she noticed a small team working frantically but despite that everything seemed to just about be ready.

Relieved she checked in with Togs. She was now the most familiar with the civilian groups and Dueliets had put them in charge of them all earlier in the evening. Togs reassured her that the civilians were as ready as they could be. Those that seemed like they might struggle had been paired up in a buddy system.

Dueliet laughed imaging this and thanked her for he clever, if slightly patronising efforts. Togs could just be heard muttering about people in glass houses and stones before she checked off. With that Dueliet focused on her console and checked her personal screen. As she did this the returning members of the bridge burst back through the door.

The captain seemed to be dealing with the situation okay. He did an announcement to let the ladies and gentlemen that were going to be traveling with them today know; that their pilot was back and they were to get to a secure seat or similar pronto. There was likely to be some turbulence as they headed out of the cavern on a rushed schedule.

Could they could kindly check on any absent minded crew-mates that tried to finish projects in the middle of storms. Also if their weapons were secured upright and in a locked position, so that there were no more explosions than strictly necessary for this trip, it would be greatly appreciated.

Once again he wanted to thank them from the bottom of his heart for joining him on another delightful trip on Yotnear Ocean Cruises. This got plenty of laughs and a few silly cheers as people were relieved to be heading out of the cavern. But it did then start some worrying about what might come next.

Ronnec looked more business-like than Dueliet had seen him in a long time. He was rushing through start-up which was practicality unheard of for him, as it was another one of the things he could be a bit OCD about.

He checked in with Dueliet how they were looking people-wise. She said half had already found a seat.

He announced that they would be beginning walk movements, if they had anything critical that not be secured within a cycle they were to let him know or otherwise be seated and ready for a rough ride by then.

No replies came back over the comms, so he gave the engines a blast to get them up and scurrying quickly. The craft could move slightly faster sideways but for some reason he was heading straight up the main hill only utilising the sideways speed to chicane around objects.

Dueliet had a bad feeling about this. When asked how many were out of their seats, she told him there was just one last crew member. If it had been a civilian this would have been a worry. As he asked she contacted the crew and said things were just about to get bumpy. Getting an acknowledgement she passed on the all clear to Ronnec.

He acknowledged did one final check as if hoping inspiration would strike. When nothing happened he grimaced and announced that despite all his better judgement they were going to pull what his fellow operators would call the Teriminyo toboggan. If they could all essentially prepare for a crash landing he would be much obliged.

Dueliet’s bad feeling got worse, she mentioned that last time she checked the craft couldn’t even fly. When Ronnec didn’t reply she looked over to the captain. He was still busy organising the vessel team. He was in the middle of talking about adding a second team, but even he was gripping the armrests solidly now as he looked out the front window.

Ronnec was focused and nothing would distract him now. The engines were fired up and they were just about at the top of the very large hill. Dueliet had been on a roller-coaster once and was very worried that she was on one again because as far as she could tell the hill dropped of very steeply in front of them.

Unfortunately she wasn’t proved wrong as Ronnec let the craft totter on the edge of the very large hill before he hit the engines hard. The craft shot forward with only the briefest moment of flight. Then it turned out that Ronnecs description of a crash landing had been very accurate.

She originally thought things were out completely of control, but as she got used to the violent shaking she noticed Ronnec still working furiously at the controls. They were deliberately skidding full thrust down the hill with the legs and power adjustments keeping them clear of obstacles that would completely total the craft.

They soon crashed into a line of trees as the jungle met the base of the hill. Ronnec got a rough feel for how the legs were functioning and then side scuttled through the beautiful, ancient jungle. They were soon back onto the path they had taken when the craft first entered the cavern.

Ronnec made a fresh announcement. He thanked them for enduring the rough skidding. Those with urgent business could now move around the ship again as they were only a short but bumpy skuttle away from the entrance. He requested that Martin resumed balancing jobs for engineering. Also if he could add scanning leg operation and hull integrity for flotation to the existing mix it would be much appreciated.

With Ronnec more than busy getting them out of there, Dueliet checked her console for any new updates, then checked in with the captain. She asked what the new plan was.

He said that he was thinking of having non-essential personal join the a second craft to go with the away team. Also he was going to increase the supplies so that they could set up camp comfortably for a couple of months if needed. Unusually for him, he said no more.

He got up un-phased by the shaking movement of the craft on its little battered limbs and found paper, pen and envelope. He wrote a note carefully, so that his usually scruffy hand writing could be read and then put it in the envelope. He even went to the trouble of putting a seal on the back of it.

He handed Dueliet the letter and she took it carefully. He explained that it was for the team on the vessel. She read the front of it. It had that it was information for an emergency scrawled on the front. The bit about it only being opened as an absolute last resort was the most worrying. Dueliet said that it didn’t sound good.

The captain nodded and said that it was probably something she would be better off not knowing. He also had a request for her. For the second ship could she try to have un-allocated personal that were happier away from the capital on the vessel and those that had important connections to the capital left on the main craft.

She agreed and got on with the task despite her growing sense of worry. She quickly contacted Togs with a few questions as she started to compile a diagram on her console.

In the meantime, engineering had gotten back to Ronnec and it came through on the bridge comms. Gurney reported that the legs would hold up as long as he didn’t pull any other completely retarded stunts and that there was one critical hole that would sink them if they set down in the ocean.

He told them that the computer had reassured them that they could weld a simple patch on to the new material and it would hold.

Ronnec swore profusely off the comms. He then turned to the captain and asked how much allowance was in the timeline he had given him.

This was the first Dueliet had heard about a timeline for a scheme for the day. When had and what sort of bad idea had the captain come up with now?

The captain reassured him that it was worth stopping to patch up. They would still be faster dropping the away vessels off at the designated position overall, than if they launched the slower vessels from a standing position and then walked back onto shore for repairs. Ronnec gave an affirmative to show he understood and got busy organising with engineering.

In the meantime the captain asked Dueliet if she had a list yet.

She said that she had a draft.

He said that would be good enough because they needed those people to get ready now.

The captain thanked her for the list as she sent it through. Then he made an announcement that there was going to be a second team camping at the generator site due to the danger that was facing them. He read out Dueliets list and asked them to gather their possesions and report to the rear hanger. If they were not going to be able to do this within the cycle they were to contact Dueliet.

Dueliet had known the captain for six years now and read the signs that he had just been running on adrenaline and only just gotten through what he needed to do. From past experience this meant that a whole lot of complicated situations had just been managed and this was the calm in the storm before whatever was set in motion was set off like a chain reaction.

With that done the captain caught his breath. He asked Ronnec if he was sorted. When Ronnec let the captain know he was fine. The captain got a private message on the comms and thanked whoever it was. He said hopefully it would be enough to take care of everything.

With that he again massaged the bridge of his nose. Then he got Dueliets attention. He told her that there was a limit to what he could tell her. He let her know that Rofim and Gurney had finished a new communication array and would out in the reserved seats of the first vessel.

He was now going to brief the vessels before they left, so if he could please have the letter back. He commented that there was still one console showing as active from the office she had temporarily set up.

She confirmed that one had been easy enough to secure and was still in place. He asked her if she could have Hosej allocated all the scanning functions and work from there as her office again. The request was a bit odd, but the captain had done stranger things to make things work out for the crew before.

Thankfully the craft was now out of the cavern and in the secluded bay. As she walked back to her strange office another message came across the bridge comms. It was some engineers and Gurney by the sounds of it.

They were geeking out about how awesomely the material of the craft was knitting in and almost sucking the plate into the hull as they welded. She laughed to herself, glad that the engineers had even more excitement.

Hosej reported back, confused to be working with Dueliet in the current situation. She smiled and said the captain was full of mysteries. Today he seemed to be relying on a lot of them.

Hosej still looked confused, but quickly set up the station again. Then fumbled through the process to have the console as the sensor interface system. Martin confirmed sensor were all his and they could focus on sorting everything else.

This had barely been done when Ronnec announced that they were clear to launch. Thankfully this time there was no safety warnings and you barely noticed as Ronnec hurriedly set the craft down in the ocean.

People were so busy, that they were at the vessel drop off location before they realised it. The ships were efficiently unloaded, yet despite this Dueliet didn’t feel the odd sense of urgency dissipate. If anything it seemed to have gotten worse.

A call went out to the vessels wishing them smooth sailing. It informed them that the craft would head back to entrance to check they aren’t followed. Then once it was confirmed safe, they would check in again. Not even a cycle had passed when Hosej squealed with panic.

He stammered madly and she came over to look at him. He said it looked like there were multiple energy discharges and that the vessels had been directly hit by one. She could see spots popping up all over the map. She started to contact the captain.

Instead the captain announce that something was wrong and they needed to brace for a jump now.

Hosej looked confused, he stammered pointlessly for a bit and eventually got out that they still shouldn’t be able to jump. Dueliet was just as confused as the young tech. But before she could say anything the strange, sickening, weight distorting feeling returned. As the world seemed to turn inside out, blindingly bright light filled the craft.

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