Alone in the Crowd (The Chronicles of Anna Foster Book 3) (26 page)

A dozen meters past the sergeant, something larger than him flew out of the darkness and landed on the catwalk. A lone triwolf gained its footing and pointed its long snout at him as he approached, growling its warning as it prepared to pounce.

“Fuck!” Cooper brought his rifle to bear with blinding speed and fired a burst at the impeding beast. The black-furred predator flexed two of its hind legs to jump, but the impact of several energy blasts burned into its body. It dropped to the metal grating just as the sergeant vaulted over it.

Two more triwolves landed on the walkway. They took quick note of their fallen partner and sprang into action. One pursued Cooper, while the other caught sight of Anna and Jason and raced toward them.

“Keep swinging the light, Jason.” Anna brought her pistol to bear and fired. One shot flew harmlessly past it. Another screech from the airborne predators behind them reminded her how close they were. Her second shot hit the floor a meter before the furred animal. It barked hoarsely at her and lowered its head, bearing its three sets of teeth. Two more shots. One missed. The other pierced its upper-left eye. It yelped in pain as it stumbled meters in front of them.

Anna swerved toward the cavern wall. “Dodge!” Jason maneuvered toward the railing as he sped past the triwolf. The beast’s jaws snapped at him, but he just avoided its mouth. Anna fired point-blank as she passed. It cried out again from its newest injury.

Multiple screams pierced the air a couple of meters behind Anna and Jason once they were past the triwolf. Taking a peek behind, Anna saw the flock descend upon the injured creature. It howled again and again amidst their feeding frenzy, each howl lower than the one before.

“Gives us some time,” she observed, turning her head forward once more. Seeing the triwolf in the distance chasing Cooper, she fired at it. Though her shot missed, it stalled its pursuit while it turned to glare at her for a brief second. She fired again, narrowly missing its upper-hind leg.

* * * * *

Jason stole a glance at the carnage unfolding behind him. Within the few seconds since Anna had looked, the avians had already consumed parts of their victim’s skin, exposing muscle and bone. “Oh, god!” He felt his stomach wretch from the gruesome sight. Swallowing down the bile rushing into his mouth, he fought the urge to stop and vomit over the railing. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

Anna said, “Next time, don’t look.”

“Now, you tell me!”

* * * * *

Cooper reached the light, which was higher than they had originally figured. Not taking time to study the area, he leaped for a caged ladder secured to the wall that extended up toward the light while tossing his rifle to his other hand. Grabbing one of the outer bars, he swung around the cage but kept his hold. The triwolf in pursuit ignored the light bathing the area and jumped toward its prey. From several meters back, Anna fired two more shots. She thought both hit its backside as it leaped. It cried out and slammed into the sergeant, knocking him loose. He screamed as it hit him and threw him to the catwalk, pinning him down. Anna and Jason, on arriving, noticed that the predator did not move.

* * * * *

Anna said, “Jason, climb!”

Tearing his eyes away from the animal, Jason rushed to the ladder and scrambled up after slinging his rifle over his shoulder, risking a glance back the way they came.

Anna hurried to Cooper’s side and helped him shove the dead carcass away. He jumped to his feet and paused at the bottom of the ladder, pointing his rifle into the darkness toward the distant shrieks. Anna rushed toward their exit and nearly stumbled into him when he stopped. “What are you waiting for?”

“I’ve got you covered. Go!”

“We don’t have time for this!”

He took a quick peek over his shoulder at her. “You’re right. Go!”

Anna sighed, frustrated by Cooper’s stubborn attitude, and dodged around him to the ladder. As she grasped the first rung, a new chorus of high-pitched screams reached her ears, louder than before. The winged beasts had resumed their pursuit. Her pulse quickened, and shivers rippled down her spine. She broke through the mental barrier freezing her in place and sped up the ladder. After she had ascended a couple of meters, Cooper sprang onto the ladder and quickly followed. The ravenous flock swarmed on the dead triwolf, feverishly ripping through and devouring its flesh despite the bright sunlight shining down on them. Their screeches chilled Anna to the bone, urging her to quicken her pace.

Sooner than they anticipated, the ladder reached the metal lip that melded with the welcome sight of a sunlit grassy plain. Anna pulled herself out of the large opening and flinched when Jason grabbed her hand to help. She collapsed on the ground with a slight giggle when her feet touched it. Seconds later, the sergeant followed, turning down Jason’s assistance.

“Thank goodness that’s over!” Cary’s comment brought a smile to everybody’s face.

Cooper moved toward Anderson after breathing a subtle sigh of relief and wiping away his grin. “Anderson, how far are we from home?”

“About two kilometers that way, sir,” he replied while pointing toward the hill ahead of him. “I’ve already reported in.”

“Good job, soldier.” Turning to the rest of the group, the leader commanded, “Okay, ladies. On your feet! We’re hiking back!”

“I’m serious, Danica. It said that they should be back in a few days,” Anna explained while standing in her friend’s office the morning after she returned. She admitted to herself it seemed a little far-fetched.

Leaning forward to rest her elbows on her desk, Danica gave Anna a discerning, but inquisitive, look. “And, this computer told you in English?”

“Yes. Well, after accidentally telling it to do so.”

“How can you accidentally tell a computer to do anything, let alone change its language format?”

Anna shrugged. “It was meant as an aside, but it heard me and adjusted its language settings.

“But, that’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say is that the Altiki will be back in a few days, and we need to get the colonists to safety.”

Danica sighed and stood to move around the desk. “I understand your concern, Anna. And, I know that you have experience with these aliens.” She stopped at the corner, waving her hands as she spoke. “But, I can’t just stop everything and tell the hundreds of colonists to run for the hills because of one person’s story.”

Anna hung her head in defeat.

“Now, if we can substantiate what you found,” Danica continued. “We can take measures to prepare our defenses if these…Altiki? Is that what you call them?”

“Yes, Altiki.”

Danica nodded. “Right. If these Altiki pose a threat to us, if they arrive. Personally, I hope that they are peaceful and would be willing to talk with us before resorting to violence. With you as our sole exception, we have not encountered another species with a high enough intelligence to have developed a civilization. And if they want to join with us, we could benefit from what they could teach us, and vice versa. It’s a win-win for everybody!”

Frustration badgered Anna, pushing her to the edge. She had slept restlessly in her guest quarters, tossing and turning all night while the thought of the impending arrival of the Altiki plagued her conscious mind. Danica’s refusal to heed her warning did not help, never mind her insistence on believing that the Altiki might be peaceful. Closing her eyes for a few seconds, Anna exhaled through her mouth, forcing herself to calm down.

“Okay,” Anna responded, straining to keep her voice level. “I understand your desire to keep things running here. I respect that. But, I’ve been through underground caverns and risked life and limb to get this message to you. The least you could do is entertain the notion of having the military ready, just in case.”

“I am, Anna. If I wasn’t, I would have blown you off and dismissed you by now.”

“So, you do believe me. Right?”

Danica paused, too long for Anna’s comfort.

“Seriously, Danica?” The technician stood stunned, her brow wrinkled and her mouth agape. She could not believe what her friend was saying. “After all we’ve been through? When have I ever lied to you?”

“Anna, that’s not the issue. It’s just…”

“It’s just what?” Anna’s jaw tightened and her eyes glared hard at Danica. Her anger neared its boiling point. The doubt from her best friend, on top of the disrespect she received from the military and some of the colonists, infuriated her. If this was how she was going to be treated, she would rather retreat back to her homestead and live the rest of her life as a hermit.

“Now wait a minute, Anna. I’m still on your side. Please hear me out.”

Crossing her arms, Anna fumed as she waited for the administrator to speak. She felt like tapping her foot.

Danica took a deep breath. She seemed to be looking for the right words. Knowing that did not help Anna’s humor much. Then, she spoke. “As you know, I’m responsible for the well-being of this colony and the thousands of colonists who have chosen this moon to be their new home. At this point in time, those colonists are leading a peaceful existence trying to keep this colony afloat. Walking out there and telling them that we’re going to be attacked will send a panic through the populace. They’ll stop working and hunker down to survive their impending slaughter. If we are to survive, we can’t afford to have any of them stop working unless a real emergency presents itself. Right now, we have no concrete evidence to state that this…Altiki…will actually come down and wipe us all out. None of the rest of your group knows anything about this.”

“Wha…what do you mean they don’t know about this? I’m sure I told them.”

Shaking her head, Danica reiterated her statement, leaving Anna wondering what they had said in their reports.

“Have you talked to the colonel about this yet?” Danica raised her eyebrows while she waited for an answer.

The look of utter shock and disgust on Anna’s face convinced Danica that the topic had not been breached with the military commander yet.

“I take it that’s a ‘No’,” she said with a lackluster tone.

Anna could not hide how frustrated she was. “I was hoping you would do it for me. You seem to have more clout with him than I do.”

While the corners of her friend’s mouth curling down into a slight frown could be missed by most people, she knew Danica well enough to know something was wrong. Seeing the distress on her face tempered Anna’s irritation. She uncrossed her arms. “What is it, Danica?”

“Hmm?” The question pulled her from her thoughts. “Oh, sure. I’ll tell him. Don’t worry about it.” Her words seemed distant and unfocused.

“Danica?” Anna asked. “What’s troubling you?”

Waving away the concern, Danica replied, “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Anna was not so sure. “If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that nothing gets you this way unless it’s a real problem. Tell me.”

“It’s just some internal politics.” The dark-haired woman shook her head. “There’s nothing you can do about it. I just need to take care of it on my own.”

Anna paused, watching her friend. Whatever consumed her mind had to be bad. At least, it was that way while they were in college, and it was never healthy for her to keep it bottled up inside. She wanted to push the issue, but knew that Danica could be as stubborn as a mule. She did not feel like wasting her time.

“You’re sure?”

Danica nodded with pouted lips.

With a resigning shrug, Anna conceded and stepped forward, giving her friend a reassuring hug. “If you ever want to talk…”

“I know,” Danica interrupted. “Just call.”

They embraced for a while, Anna giving her one final squeeze before moving back.

“I have to head home. I have a garden to tend and an avatar to confront.”

* * * * *

With a nod, Danica waved and watched Anna leave. She leaned back, sitting on the edge of the desk, and contemplated the situation at hand. She knew that Anna was hardly ever wrong on issues of grave importance. But, sixteen years had passed, and her best friend had spent all of that time alone. Who knew what she thought now? She certainly seemed much like the same Anna she had known back on Earth. But, all those years without anybody with her… Could it have affected her sanity? She had explained that the computer on her ship provided her with ample companionship. Danica just could not comprehend speaking to just one person every day for that long without going insane.

But, what if Anna was right? What if another species was coming that was bent on their destruction? Maybe the colony should prepare. Convincing the colonel would not be easy, and the fact that she did not get along with him did nothing to make the task any easier. Yet, the colony and the safety of its inhabitants were her primary concern. For the good of the colony, she had to bring it to his attention.

* * * * *

As Anna passed through the main doors of the colony’s central hall, she spotted a young brunette wearing a light blue shirt and denim jeans stomping up the steps toward her. Sidestepping to the edge of the landing, Anna waited patiently for her to pass. But, the woman paused in front of her and looked at her with an expression that, if looks could kill, would wipe out the entire colony.

Concerned, Anna asked, “Are you okay?”

The woman reared back and slapped Anna across the face. The strike surprised her more than anything, and she raised her hand to her stinging cheek.

Thrusting a finger in the technician’s face, the woman seethed, “Stay away from my boyfriend!” Before Anna could respond, she had stormed into the building.

Staring at the doors, Anna tried to figure out what she could have done to warrant such an accusation. She had made no romantic overtures toward anyone in the colony and kept mostly to herself. She had spent some time with several men over the last couple of weeks but nothing that could be interpreted as more than what a friend would do. She wanted answers.

Barging back through the doors, Anna sighted the woman walking briskly toward an office door at the end of the corridor. “Hey! Wait a minute!” Making a beeline for the mysterious brunette, Anna steeled herself for what she felt could be a rather heated argument.

The woman spun around, spotting Anna, and quickly knocked on the door next to her before pointing a finger back at her in a threatening gesture. “You keep away from me!”

“What are you talking about? I’ve done nothing…”

“Nothing? Nothing! You are tearing my boyfriend away from me!”

“Who’s your boyfriend?”

The woman balled her hand into a fist as Anna moved into range, and swung. Anna reflexively caught the fist in her hand, stopping the blow, and shoved the woman back with her other hand. She stumbled backward and fell to the floor with a yelp. As she clambered back to her feet, the door opened, and the colony’s minister appeared in the opening.

“What’s going on out here?” The holy man looked directly at the other person rising to her feet. “Catherine!”

Catherine burst into tears and folded into the reverend’s comforting embrace. “Keep her away from me!” she pleaded through her sobbing.

Shocked, Anna stammered, “I didn’t…but I…”

The reverend’s face was stern. “I think you’d better leave.” He escorted Catherine into his office, leaving Anna facing a closed door.

Flabbergasted, she stood steeped in disbelief as the scene replayed in her mind. She still did not know who Catherine was, or what her
allegations meant.

She turned and strode slowly toward the doors. Something about Catherine did seem familiar, now that she thought about it, and not just because she had seen every one of the colonists at one time or another. Suddenly, it hit her, and the realization formed a pit in her stomach. Reaching the doors, she opened them and rushed out while whispering her suspect’s name. “Jason.”

* * * * *

“Not a chance.” The colonel gave his answer to Danica without bothering to look away from the computer monitor and barely pausing while entering his latest report.

Cocking her head with a huff, she planted her hands on her hips and leaned on one leg. “You should at least consider the possibility.”

“I did. It’s not going to happen.”

“And, how long did you think on it?”

“Two seconds.”

“Seriously?”

Pulling his hands away from the holographic keyboard, McClaskey glared at Danica through the monitor for a few seconds before pushing himself away from the desk. “If you think I’m going to take any suggestions from your friend seriously, you need to have your head examined. She’s been trying to shut this colony down ever since we got here. This latest scare tactic is no different.”

“She may have proof this time.”

“Oh, really?” Crossing his arms, he watched her with his head cocked to the side and a sideways frown on his face. “So, where is this proof of hers? Did she show it to you?”

“No, but I…”

“So, you’re taking it on faith again. Right?”

“No. I told her…”

“Spare me your stories, Ms. Armstrong. I don’t need…”

She had had enough. “Would you shut up for a minute? Quit treating me like a five-year-old and let me fucking talk!”

McClaskey’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline. “Well, well. Somebody’s not in their happy place today.”

Massaging her forehead with her fingers, Danica took a deep breath. “I told her that she needs to present proof of this impending invasion. She says she can get it. But, I’m not letting her go alone.”

“Send that kid Fuller with her. He seems to like spending time with her.”

Danica paused and raised an eyebrow. “Why send Fuller and not one of your own troops?” The only reason she could determine as to why he was not sending them is because…

The realization hit her, which amused her. “You haven’t debriefed your troops yet? I thought you were always on top of things like that.”

The colonel’s jaw tightened while the head of the colony spoke. With an unusual calm in his voice, he said, “Don’t tell me how to do my job.”

“Why not? You tell me how to do mine all the time.” She could swear that flames appeared in his eyes after she finished.

“But,” she continued after letting him stew for a couple of seconds. “This bickering is getting us nowhere. Send some troops to escort her, and everything will be good.”

“I am not sending any of my troops with her. They always seem to die whenever she’s around.”