By Joshua A. Smith
“I don’t see why we need to have it around, Paulson,” Merrik grumbled. “Damn bug gives me the crawls.”
The sergeant stomped his boot hard against the tunnel floor. The wet thud echoed up and down the cavernous hollow, touching off ripples along the scattered patches of bioluminescent algae.
“Shut it. You want the whole Hive knowing what you think of them?”
Merrik’s lip curled. He opened his mouth to reply, but a raspy, robotic voice cut him off.
“That is a misconception, Specialist. We do not share a telepathic connection. We are merely able to communicate in ways your species cannot observe.”
The source of the voice swiftly clambered into view, rounding a bend in the tunnel ahead. Both soldiers tensed at the unexpected presence of their guide. It was lanky, but roughly humanoid—two legs, two arms, one head—and it wore the same silver breastplate with red stripe that they did. It even had an identical SNAP rifle slung over its shoulder.
Yet, the similarities ended there. Plates of ugly green-brown carapace covered the creature. Its feet and hands ended in three clawed digits each. Its eyes were huge and compound, framed by antennae of varying lengths. A metal box enclosed its mouth, housing the software and speaker necessary for converting the creature’s natural clicks and screeches into human speech.
“Also, the term ‘Hive’ is an offense,” the box translated. “We are the Burrow.”
“Sorry,” Paulson muttered. He looked away, unable to meet the huge, unblinking eyes.
Their guide looked from one man to the other in silence. Its gaze lingered on Merrik’s silver breastplate as if transfixed.
“There is a pit in the tunnels ahead. You will need your lights.”
Paulson nodded and switched on the flashlight attached to the base of his rifle. Merrik angled his and the light shone full on the guide’s face. It flinched. A pained hiss escaped from the translator.
“Look at that. I did need it,” the sergeant smirked. “Better get back up there.”
The guide skittered back up the tunnel, its clawed feet scrabbling against the brown stone. Once it was out of sight, Paulson turned on Merrik with a scowl.
“Right smart move.”
“Can’t go easy on the bugs. Need to show them who’s boss. Trust me,” he spat, “I know.”
Paulson rolled his eyes. It was no use arguing with somebody so entrenched. Instead, he heeded their guide’s advice and kept his flashlight focused on the cavern floor.
The algae patches retracted in the face of the bright light, reappearing as the darkness resumed. Merrik chuckled at the effect.
“Looks like that bug’s got something in common with this scum,” he said, gleefully watching the algae retract.
“Sarge…”
“You afraid it’s gonna hear me and be ‘offended,’ Marksman Specialist? Think it’ll…”
Paulson slapped a hand across the sergeant’s chest, cutting him off. He shone his light at their feet. The edge of the pit stood mere inches away. It was nearly six feet across with a matching opening above, ringed with enough algae to trick their eyes into believing it was solid ground.
“Good thing we had the lights on,” Paulson said with a sardonic smile.
The sergeant angrily pulled a grapple attachment from his belt and shoved it over the muzzle of his rifle. Paulson fitted his own as well, double-checking to ensure it was fully locked.
Merrik fired his grapple at the cave ceiling on the other side of the pit, sinking the piton deep into the stone with a cord trailing behind. Rather than attach the other end of the cord to his belt, he merely gripped his gun tighter.
“Don’t be too long, Marksman” Merrik taunted. With a little hop over the edge of the pit, he was sailing over the blackness. Paulson tracked his comrade’s flashlight as it illuminated the opening above.
He blinked—something flew out. Did he imagine it?
No. Something leapt out of the tunnel when Merrik was halfway across and snatched him in midair.
It was their Burrow guide, hanging from the ceiling, dangling the sergeant over the pit.
Merrik screamed wildly. His weapon gone, he clawed in vain at the silver armor. The Burrow regarded its prey silently, its great eyes focused on Merrik’s chest.
“Put him down!” Paulson commanded, his rifle aimed directly at the treasonous insect.
“He is a killer,” came the unanticipated response.
“What are you talkin’ about?”
Paulson had to stall. With the grapple in place he was limited to a single shot, and an improvised harpoon at that.
The Burrow released one leg from the ceiling and pointed a scaly digit at Merrik’s breastplate. “I see the stains of Burrow blood. More than a spatter. He is covered with it.”
Paulson shook his head. “Ain’t no blood there!”
“You cannot see it. The stain is only visible on the higher spectrum.”
Paulson hesitated. He knew that the Burrow could see much more than humans could—it was why they were recruited as guides. But Merrik, covered in bug blood?
The sergeant’s spiteful words about the Burrow rang in Paulson’s ears, almost drowning out the man’s terrified screeches.
The Burrow turned its attention back to its prey, hefting the screaming, incoherent human.
“My brothers are avenged.”
Paulson’s mind ached. He did not want to be here. But he was. He breathed out, prayed, and pulled the trigger just as the Burrow released Merrik.
The grapple flew across the pit, tore through Merrik’s unarmored lower leg and pinned him to the wall.
Paulson held the trailing cord tightly. Merrik continued to scream and curse, but Paulson ignored him. Rather, he fixed his gaze on the Burrow watching from above.
“Your move. If you want justice, I’ll see he gets a court-martial. If you just want to kill him,” Paulson aimed his weapon, now free of the grapple, “you’ll have to get past me first.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Really enjoyed this story, Joshua! Great military science fiction vibe. Are these characters from a work in progress or published novel? I like the story world.
Hi Teddi! They are currently unique to this story, but I may bring them back for future exploits. Thanks for reading!
That’s one of the things I love about flash fiction–the chance to explore characters and worlds without committing to an entire novel with them.
good writing, easy to follow and leaves me wanting more. I like this authors use of words that don’t speak down to the reader but rather make the reader consider the meanings of some if the less commonly used words.
Thanks for the review! Im flattered by your appraisal of my vocabulary – though I should point out that HAVOK’s editing team deserves a lot of credit.
two thumbs up – by a reader who generally avoids sci-fi writings or movies!!I also greatly appreciate the author’s brief biography1
Thanks for the review, Therese! I’m glad that you liked it.
Great military science fiction! I like stories that have applications to real life. What is justice? What is vengeance? If others could see our hidden stains, what would they think?
Leaves me hooked in the story line wishing for more…:-)
Wow this story was gripping! The characters are well defined in their opinions and I really got a clear picture of the setting in my mind. It remind me a little of Lost In Space. I loved the tension between species and would definitely read more!
Uh-oh. Paulson could have a lot of trouble on his hands… I suspect the Burrow doesn’t hold a high view of human justice systems.
Ooh, I need a sequel!