|
|
Date/Time: Unknown
Sophia rubbed her eyes, they burned. Her muscles burned and ached as she stretched them, even her shoulder was burnt. She’d only been grazed by the plasma shot but it was still enough to burn though her uniform. She winced as she finished bandaging her shoulder and frowned as the sectoids and humans looked over at the team again.
With Kamiya’s help she had been able to stabilize Poole and Wychin. They were both unconscious, mostly from their injuries, partly from drugs. Kineas had been lost outside; she’d meant to go and retrieve his body but hadn’t found the time. She still had Poole’s blood all over her, other people with minor complaints to deal with and most importantly the matter of the other humans and sectoids. With the captain and Poole out of it, it was her job to take control.
For now they were holding up inside the building where team one had
been attacked. By the time she’d been able to make it there most of the
fighting in the building was done, although an alien grenade had nearly
blasted her. The aliens walking around seemed to make people nervous, and
some of their human ‘followers’ or ‘collaborators’ which ever they were
had gained the
courage to approach the group. She decided now was as good a time as
any for talking.
“What did you want?” Sophia frowned somewhat; she still wasn’t sure what was with this place.
“We wanted to thank you,” The leader of the human group paused. “Lately the snakemen have been raiding us often.”
“Who do you mean by we?” Sophia stood up looking at the man. “Are you actually cooperating with the aliens?” She frowned, if that were true, maybe Wychin was right and they should have been killed. She shook the thought, they were still human.
“Our community.” Sophia’s questioning look prompted the leader to continue. “We’ve formed a peaceful, cooperative society here with an isolated group of sectoids. We’ve been able to keep the village a secret until recently when the raids started.”
“But what about all the weapons? You nearly killed several of our team..”
“Just because we are peaceful, doesn’t mean we’re defense less,” The leader smiled, but it just made Sophie’s skin crawl. “And if I remember, you attacked us. Coming to that, most aren’t exactly comfortable with your presence here, when will you be going?”
“I think the feeling is mutual.” By now Sophia’s head was pounding, she hadn’t slept for days it seemed. She tried to clear her thoughts and continued, “Going? We don’t exactly have any place to go back to, and I don’t think I should move them very far.” She motioned towards Wychin and Poole, as well as a couple other wounded.
One of the men stepped up from behind the leader; he was somewhat soft spoken and seemed hesitant. “What about the compound we saw before…” he turned addressing Sophia, “We think it was a military base, but it’s abandoned. It’s only a few miles from here..” Sophia considered this as he continued, “I could make a map.”
“How about you lead us there, seeing how you so nicely ‘volunteered’.” She gave him a forceful smile, somehow giving the impression he really didn't have a choice. “If there happened to be a mistake, I wouldn’t want my team freezing to death.”
“Then you can leave in the morning.” The leader left it at that.
Then next day after traveling most of the morning, the team spotted buildings on the horizon. Squinting against the sun's glare, they could see what looked like the old base. The two guides that had come along were anxious to leave.
“Soph!” Sophia turned as Miked yelled to her, running from the back
of the group. “Kamiya says Poole is waking up and Wychin’s snapped out
of it. In more or less words the captain wants to know what’s going on.”
Written on December 8th by Michele Chapman AKA Lieutenant Sophia Thornside