Gabriel Landowski

CHAPTER V

At first the excitement quieted his anxiety, but time soon forced Kyle to slowly crack under the pressure of his blatant insubordination. It had been three days since he broke Special Order Number One and the sky had still not fallen. Kyle had to force himself to relax and try to breathe a little easier.

It's the "I'll shoot you myself" comments that don't help.

After the last of his rangers completed the basic rifle marksmanship training he brought them together for a brief powwow. He explained why he had issued his own Special Order and taught them how to fire the carbine. Kyle reminded them to keep silent about what they learned and not to use their training unless the situation was life or death. He made it clear what the Lieutenant would do if headquarters caught on.

Kyle had actually thought long and hard about what he was going to do before he took action. It was a calculated risk and perhaps a necessary one to ensure that his men could continue to fight the mission should something happen to him. If the carbine was going to be of use to the rangers as a whole, then the whole of the rangers needed to know how to use it. Besides, it might actually save his life one day.

As far as Kyle was concerned the same went for the other weapons in the company arsenal as well as the tactics. He knew it would be more of a challenge to get the warriors to understand, being men, in principal, from the Iron Age of Earth. That said, their current knowledge of modern equipment was comparable to his own when he had first enlisted so he knew learning was not an impossible task.

After all I've managed to make it this far.

Point of fact, the rangers had been living and fighting the way of true warriors since birth. If anything, they actually had an advanced level of training above him when it came to killing the other guy and winning. The main concern, as far as Kyle saw it, was that trained natives might one day turn the weapons and tactics of the modern age against the company itself.

But that could happen today anyway. Heck I could go nutty and just start shooting up the place. There is no way to guarantee loyalty except through successful integration and dedication.

Kyle could see the rationale behind Special Order Number One until the natives became an integral part of the fighting force. Once that happened, to define a boundary between the two groups was just accentuating a weakness in the organization. In his mind the natives stopped being 'them' and started being 'us' the moment they picked up a weapon to fight for the company as rangers.

We're in this together or not at all.

In the off hours Kyle spent as much time with the rangers as he could. This reinforced bonding within the squad and provided ample opportunity to master each other's language. That night the conversation was an interesting one.

"#You come from the sky?#"

Kyle looked up from his place at the campfire not knowing who had asked the question. He thought on this a moment and cocked his head to the right as he pointed upward.

"Yes. We all came here from the sky."

The rangers exchanged brief looks. Lemm spoke next.

"#How?#"

At this Kyle exhaled slowly while contemplating an answer.

How do I explain this when I don't even know how it works myself?

"There is this thing called a ship. That ship carries smaller ships. Those smaller ships carry me."

Quickly glancing at the rangers, Kyle could see their brains trying to process the notion. Most seemed to fail so he reached over and picked up a small stone which he held up for the others to see.

"Pretend this is me."

He then held up a small pouch from off of his waist belt.

"Pretend this is a small ship."

Kyle dropped the stone into the pouch.

"That's me getting into the small ship."

Kyle took his helmet and held it upside down.

"This is a big ship."

He took the pouch and dropped it into the helmet.

"Now the small ship is inside of the big ship."

Kyle stood up.

"Now pretend that the big ship can think about standing over on the opposite side of the fire. Poof!"

He hopped over to the other side.

"Instantly it is there. So I got into a small ship which was loaded into a big ship and the big ship thought about being here and *poof* we arrived. The small ship then carried us down to the surface."

The rangers turned and talked to each other in low tones. Although Kyle had become semi-proficient in their tongue he could not make out what was said as they talked over each other. Lemm seemed confused.

"#How?#"

Kyle let out a slight laugh at this.

"To be honest I don't entirely know myself. I'm a soldier and I go where I am told. I don't necessarily know how things work, but I know that they do certain things and so I learn how to use them. Like this."

With that Kyle held up the carbine for them to see.

"I know that there is something inside here that takes the air and forces the projectile out the barrel, but how it really works or even what it is made of is beyond my current understanding."

Taulk nodded and spoke.

"#It is like healing arts. Not all truly understand but salves on wound heal better.#"

Kyle cocked his head right in acknowledgement and smiled at Taulk.

"Exactly."

The warrior seemed pleased with this and enjoyed his new role as sage.

"#Do you come from the Darkness?#"

Kyle did not know what to make of the question.

"Darkness? I don't know what you mean."

One of the rangers pointed up to the night sky. Kyle glanced up but he had no idea what they were talking about. Taulk, once again, came to the rescue.

"#It is said the night sky is a dark blanket placed there by the Spirits. To help us see in the night the Spirits have scattered precious stones across the blanket which shine their light down upon us. The Darkness is something that moves across the sky hiding the light of the stones. This is the only way that we know of the Darkness or where it is in the sky.#"

The rangers stared at Kyle and studied his face as he absorbed the lore.

Sounds logical to me if I were them.

Taulk turned and studied the ridge of the mountain behind them. After a few moments he pointed up to the peak.

"#Do you see the light that shines a hand width above the top of the mountain?#"

Kyle moved past the fire to place the light of the flames behind him. Standing beside Taulk he allowed his eyes to adjust to the night and quickly located the star in question.

"#Watch it now.#"

The group sat in dead silence as they waited. Although Kyle could not see their faces he knew that they, too, cast a fixed gaze on the twinkling light in question. He had no idea what was about to happen. Taulk suddenly pointed again and Kyle looked up his arm as a guide.

"#There!#"

As he watched, the bright star began to twinkle differently; the light suddenly became drunk and unstable. A second later it made a small arc and winked out of existence. Silent awe and fear descended over the rangers. Several turned away and made protective wards with their hands. In puzzled silence Kyle turned to Taulk.

"What is it?"

Taulk and the rangers continued to watch the spot in the sky without speaking so Kyle returned to the vigil. Several seconds later the shimmering star mysteriously reappeared in the night sky.

Kyle turned and looked at the other rangers, who merely poked at the fire with small sticks. Again he turned to Taulk.

"What is it?"

After a moment Taulk replied, although he still looked at the stars.

"#There many different people in our lands and they all have different beliefs. To most the Darkness is an evil spirit that roams the night sky and brings bad luck or death. These people say the Darkness steals or eats the lights in the night. Others think of the Darkness as a thief which moves stealthily. These people say that the Darkness borrows the light or that the lights dim in a show of respect as the Darkness passes.#"

Evil spirit or sneaky thief. I'm going with the latter.

Kyle turned back to try and guess the path of the object as it traveled overhead. For it to block the light of a distant star meant it was closer to the planet. To move across the light so quickly meant that it had to be in orbit. Perhaps it was a dark moon or a captured asteroid. Since it did not reflect the light from the nearby star it must be dark in color. Kyle stood next to Taulk who continued to watch the night sky.

"What do you think it is?"

Taulk almost seemed amused by the question.

"#Many things I not know. This one more. I not fear Darkness but I careful of worshipers of evil spirit.#"

The man turned and looked at Kyle in such a way that the warning was not lost.

"Who worships the Darkness as evil?"

Taulk turned back to the sky.

"#Not here, at least not openly...forbidden. Mostly great plain to the sun rise.#"

East. He means to the east. From the look he gave me I don't want to find out what these people do.

Kyle turned back to the rangers, who stared at him. He realized that he had not answered their original question.

"Oh! No, no, no. I'm not from the Darkness. I come from a place very far away. In fact those lights you see in the sky are actually stars like the sun which brings the daylight. My land is located near one of those suns."

From the blank look on their faces Kyle could tell that he just lost them all, however they also seem relieved. Lemm seemed to be the only one interested in pressing for more detail.

"#Which one?#"

Kyle slumped at this. He looked to the sky to scan the unfamiliar cascade of stars and felt a helplessness come over him. He spoke in a subdued voice.

"I honestly have no idea."

The men all remained silent and returned their attention to the embers glowing in the fire. Taulk pointed again and Kyle watched another star wink out of existence. Moments later it reappeared.

It moves in a straight line and it is definitely in orbit of this planet.

A sneaking fear was suddenly upon him.

What if it's not natural? We could be in danger! I have to tell Holly about this!

Turning back to Lemm Kyle asked,

"Why did you want to know if I 'come from' the Darkness? Do you know of people who have?"

Taulk stopped following the track of the invisible moon and looked at Kyle.

"#There always lights in sky long my people remember. Darkness discovered generations past. Ten seasons ago Darkness flashed light and sky filled fiery rain for days after.#"

Kyle looked up and picked out the elusive target again. Taulk continued to talk.

"#It said where fire struck ground powerful tribe walked land. Worshipers raid not long after as a sign of new master to kill weak. Many years I heard stories as child and treated them such until our clan raid great plain to free our people.#"

"#Nomads became Horde, rise to power, no peace for people. Clansmen sacrificed to new master, The One, Child of the Darkness. Rumors of others, but scattered.#"

Kyle stood in shocked silence trying to absorb it all as he processed the information.

We're not alone. Whoever they are they came from that thing in orbit and they have been here for years already.

Kyle kept his composure in front of the others.

They don't need to see me wig out over some children's story.

He wondered who these people might be and why they scattered themselves across the planet to remain in seclusion. Kyle knew that the war he volunteered for had been going on for the last three years, or so, and figured it had nothing to do with that.

"#We get to see dragon?#"

Kyle turned back to the fire pit and looked at Neel who spoke.

"Dragons?"

Kyle glanced at Taulk and then back to Neel, gesturing for him to continue.

"#Yes, Corporal, dragons you ride in sky.#"

Kyle noticed that all faces were on him again.

This must be of interest to all of them.

"I'm sorry Neel, I don't know what you're talking about. Can you describe the 'dragons' to me?"

The young man appeared to study Kyle's face as if to detect deception but, finding none, continued.

"#Before your people in valley many tales of dragons.#"

Kyle thought on this.

Does he mean the drop ships?

"Describe them to me."

Neel appeared unsure.

"#Grandfather told me dragons very large. Bigger than central hut of village. Great beast roar when fly and eat whole flock sheep one sitting.#"

Kyle was perplexed.

The dragons he speaks of were here long before we were.

Neel continued,

"#After night you come many our hunters see if more Children Darkness. They follow dragons up valley, found you.#"

To Kyle it sounded like sightings of the drop ships.

They must have our transports confused with their beasts.

Kyle had no idea how big a central hut was, but it sounded as though the young warrior was describing the drop ships flying up and down the valley. He thought carefully for a moment before replying.

"Yes. I do not think they are the same dragons that your grandfather spoke of, but we do have something like this...."

Reaching down Kyle took a small bundle of sticks and tossed it onto the glowing embers. With a slight breath the flames sprang up and all could see quite clearly. He then took a small piece of charcoal and drew on the large rock which made up the backstop to the fire. When Kyle finished and shifted back the rangers moved closer for a better view.

"I think our drop ships are the recent dragon sightings you speak of."

The rangers all seemed excited as they quietly talked amongst themselves. Kyle had to smile himself at their childlike energy.

I remember the first time I saw a plane flying overhead.

Kyle knew that the natives had never seen a thing as large as a drop ship flying in the sky. Only creatures from their lore could come close to a fair comparison. Now they were part of an army that actually flew with such things. Lemm smiled a wide grin and looked to Kyle.

"#So it true? You fly them?#"

Kyle sat back and thought for a moment.

"Well, we control them but they are not the same dragons your grandfather spoke of. These are more like flying huts that carry us to where we want to go."

The rangers again muttered amongst themselves.

"#You fly in them?#"

Kyle had not known who asked the question, but tilted his head to the right in affirmation.

"If I have my way, someday you will too."

Looks of apprehension appeared on their faces except for Lemm who seemed thrilled beyond belief. Kyle remembered their first time with the carbine.

Getting these guys to climb into the gut of something that screams on landing is not going to be easy.

Kyle spent the rest of the night trying to acclimate his men as best he could to the modern equipment they would be exposed to. The conversation was semi productive and went on long into the night. Kyle found that the best way to get around the technical understanding was to simply refer to certain functions as magic; in a way it was.

When the patrol returned back to the company area Kyle decided to talk to Holly about the discussions. He stepped up to the doorway and knocked twice on the frame.

"Master Sergeant, can I have a word with you?"

Holly looked up from some papers on his makeshift desk and gestured for Kyle to sit down.

"What's on your mind Evans?"

Kyle stared absently at the papers which Holly stacked neatly into a pile before placing them aside.

"The natives know about the drop ships."

Holly only looked at him.

"We were out on a training exercise past the western ridge and I had set up a patrol base for the night. During the course of the conversation they started asking me about dragons."

Holly leaned back against the wall of his bunker and mused.

"Dragons."

"Yes, Master Sergeant. That's how they described it to me at least. It seemed very similar to the same stories I grew up with about great flying monsters. I asked them to describe what they were talking about and it appears that a hunting party witnessed our landing in the valley, and associated our drop ships with their beasts from lore. That's why Rey and I ran into that guy who jumped me. He was part of a group sent to scout for the dragons and was probably scared out of his wits."

Holly thought on it.

"What did you tell them?"

Kyle recalled the conversation from the previous evening.

Maybe he thinks I shouldn't have told them anything. That never occurred to me.

"Well, I didn't deny it. I just told them that we have flying huts that take us where we want to go, and that I thought it was these which they had mistaken for their monsters."

Holly sighed.

"Yeah, 'how do you explain to someone about rock and roll'?"

Kyle looked at the man, slightly confused. Holly laughed to himself and got up from the desk to stretch. He walked over to a large map mounted on the wall and momentarily stared at it.

"They seem pretty sure these dragons belong to us? It isn't something else that we don't know about?"

The question struck Kyle as a bit odd but he thought it over.

"Well, they have their own stories that seem pretty old in origin, but I think that what they saw in the sky, most recently was our drop ships, Master Sergeant. Otherwise, I think either we, or the pilots, would have seen or heard something by now."

Holly looked at the map. After a long moment he sighed again.

"Well, they saw what they saw and they know what they know. Let them chew on that for a bit but don't tell them any thing more. You have anything else for me?"

Kyle nodded his head.

"They wanted to know if we were 'Children of the Darkness'."

At this, Holly turned and looked at him intently. Kyle related the whole story as best he could recall, as explained by Taulk. The senior man moved slowly back to his chair as he listened in silence. When Kyle finished, Holly sat back and rested his hands across his stomach. After reflecting he spoke.

"Evans, one of the biggest challenges you will have to face as a leader is the all feared rumor mill. I'm going to tell you something that doesn't leave this room. Understand?"

Kyle nodded his head.

Holly leaned forward and spread his hands out on the desk in front of him as he continued.

"The Chieftain told us of a people who came from the sky about ten years ago. As best we can tell there was some sort of station or observation platform orbiting this planet and something went wrong. The crew abandoned ship and most made it through the rain of debris to the surface in escape pods."

Kyle sat in stunned silence.

They already knew all of this!

He fought down the surge of anger that boiled up inside of him.

Am I just pissed that they can keep a secret and I can't?

Holly continued,

"As best we can tell, some have mixed with local populations and started influencing things. Others have barricaded themselves into seclusion. Either way we have no idea who they are or where they're from. Most importantly we don't know if they're friendly or if they'll want us dead."

Kyle thought about the Horde and their evil worship of the Darkness.

I wonder who this dreaded 'One' really is.

"So we've pushed out our aerial recon and foot patrols, making wider and wider sweeps to identify any sign of the survivors. In the meantime we've yet to hear a peep from the Rosalie or Fleet. Furthermore, the best friends we have planet side are a bunch of people we had to shoot in the ass in order for them to throw in with us."

Kyle nodded his head absently as he listened.

"For the time being the Lieutenant has ordered that this be kept to a 'need to know' basis. Since you found out on your own I want you to know what we know. This way you can keep the bullshit from circulating, and an ear out for other bits of the picture that might be of use to us. I entrust you to keep a tight lip on this, as the last thing we need is for our people to start getting spooked by the unknown. The mind of a trooper has a tendency to wander in the worst case direction."

Kyle nodded as he remembered his own experiences.

"Did you have anything else for me?"

Kyle thought briefly to come clean with Holly and tell him about training his rangers to fire the carbine. After a serious second thought he recanted.

"No, Master Sergeant."

* * *

Later that evening the Lieutenant called a briefing for the cadre of the ranger company. The commander had decided that it was in the best interest of the unit to tell their native cohorts as little as possible about themselves. The officer acknowledged that some may disagree with the policy but he felt that the troopers needed to focus on getting information and not on giving it. During the briefing Kyle watched Holly and noted the strictly neutral mask the senior man maintained.

That means he doesn't agree with the Lieutenant.

Knowing this brought Kyle some relief. If word got out about his training the natives, maybe Kyle would have half a chance if his platoon leader was of the same mindset.

Then again maybe he'll 'shoot me himself'.

A few weeks later a small party of warriors made contact with one of the local security patrols. The patrol leader radioed in to file a report on the company frequency. Kyle and a number of others had tuned their helmets to the same, thus being privy to the intelligence. What they all heard was brief and ominous.

Word of the company's arrival, the return of legendary 'dragons' had spread like wildfire. Far to the east the marauding Horde took a sudden interest in the news, and roving bands began to move west across the great steppe. The One had announced a decree of reward to any who captured the new arrivals - and death to those who harbored them.

The Chieftain and his people were unfazed, as the Horde had actively tried to subjugate them before without success. After a detailed review of existing aerial reconnaissance, and other intelligence collected by the local patrols, Lieutenant Taylor decided to send out several long range recons. These were to gather more detailed information from the ground in regards to the avenues of approach into the valley.

Kyle and his rangers were ordered by Holly to trace a winding path and locate critical points, as well as search for evidence of Children along the way. The squad was to be supervised by a senior man from headquarters and came in the form of one Staff Sergeant Melvin Miles Percy.

Percy was an interesting individual who fancied himself as 'in the know' and liked to treat his peers and lower rankers as lesser beings. The sergeant supposedly had a glowing career as a paper pusher, but Kyle had also witnessed enough of his uppity attitude that it left a foul taste in his mouth. Rumor had it that the man bucked for a platoon leader slot and looked to score brownie points by leading a patrol.

From what Kyle gleaned from Holly, if Percy did well it would indeed be a solid step toward a leadership slot. If he did poorly then it was back to the desk job, which the man seemed to disdain. Either way, Kyle was not thrilled about his rangers being used as an acid test for promotion, especially since the situation had become serious.

As Kyle and his rangers packed their gear and performed combat inspections, Percy arrived at the squad bay. He stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips and waited to be noticed. Kyle did not see him at first as he was locked in conversation with Taulk near the back of the room. When he finally did notice the man, it took a moment for Kyle to make his way over.

"Evening, Sergeant."

Percy glared at him for a moment with disapproving eyes.

"So, we don't acknowledge when a senior sergeant enters the room anymore?"

Kyle stared at the man for a moment and realized that he was being serious.

You have got to be kidding me.

Kyle went to the position of attention and called out in a loud and thunderous voice.

"At EASE!"

The rangers all stopped and looked slightly confused as they were not used to the formality. Taulk sensed the mood of the situation and gestured with his hands to the others who quickly stood at attention.

Percy glared down the length of the bay and then back at Kyle.

"I see we have a little work to do with these men, Corporal. They're standing at attention and not at parade rest!"

Oh, for the love of Mary. What is this guy's problem!?

It took every ounce of self discipline for Kyle to not roll his eyes. Holly had long ago done away with the formalities of garrison life subsequent to his numerous visits to the squad areas. Apparently Percy still felt the need to shove his rank into the faces of others.

"Squad! Parade - rest!"

The rangers snapped to the correct position.

Percy nodded his head and smiled thinly.

"Better."

Whatever.

The blank face Kyle wore betrayed none of his thoughts. Percy began to stroll around the squad bay fingering the odd piece of equipment or looking disdainfully at the rough outfit of a ranger. To their credit the men did not stir.

"I shall be responsible for this reconnaissance mission through the northeast corridor. Our goal is to identify any avenues the enemy might exploit against us and to locate any evidence of useful technology or allies. Corporal Evans will be my assistant and second in command. There will be no mistakes and we will perform in such a manner that brings credit to us and our unit."

Kyle felt his neck began to burn.

This guy has been reading too many promotion orders.

Percy stopped his meandering and snapped at the rangers in the bay.

"Do I make myself clear?!"

"YES, SERGEANT!!"

The rangers bellowed in a deafening voice that startled the unsuspecting man. Kyle smiled ever so slightly. The new recruits had mastered Universal at an impressive pace and now had only the barest trace of their native accent when they spoke.

Great, you're afraid of your own men.

Percy quickly regained his composure and strode slowly back to Kyle before standing directly in his face.

"Another thing, Corporal, I am a Staff Sergeant and I expect to be acknowledged as such. The next man that addresses me as just a 'sergeant' gets latrine detail for the week. Is that understood!?"

Kyle sounded off into the man's face.

"Yes, Staff Sergeant!"

Percy pulled away slightly but appeared satisfied.

"Good. We hit the line of departure tomorrow at 0400 hours. Squad, Atten-tion!"

The rangers snapped to.

"Corporal, take charge of the men and finish preparing for the mission."

Percy then waited in front of Kyle until it dawned on the younger man what was expected of him.

Oh my god, you have got to be kidding me! Where does this clown think he is, at a military academy?

Kyle threw a crisp salute which Percy returned before departing with an air of self importance. Amazed, Kyle could only watch the man disappear down the trench line. At a wave of his arm the others returned to their work, slightly mystified at the whole proceeding. Taulk came over and stood next to Kyle as Percy disappeared.

"This Staff Sergeant Percy..."

Kyle turned and looked at the native noting the emphasis.

"...he is an asshole, yes?"

Kyle snorted a laugh and shushed Taulk. Heaven help them if Percy had heard that. An old trick of sergeants was to listen in on the room they just left in order to see who the troublemakers were. Soldiers had a tendency to blow off steam right after getting a good grilling when they thought it safe to do so.

Kyle quietly returned to inspecting his rangers and their equipment. It was clear that they had their hands full with Percy. Kyle was already too busy to worry as he conducted rehearsals and reviewed the patrol route with Taulk. After a few more long hours the squad hit the sack for the night.

The next morning the men filtered out of the perimeter at exactly 0400 hours and were counted out by Holly. Taulk took point and led the patrol into a thick growth of pines to the southwest and parallel to the main stream.

Percy suddenly grabbed Kyle by the strap of his combat armor and nearly yanked him off balance. The man hissed into Kyle's ear much too loudly,

"We're going the wrong way, for fuck's sake! Can't you people do anything right?"

Kyle gritted his teeth and bit back his anger. He leaned forward and spoke in a low voice, barely audible.

"Staff Sergeant, it's SOP to depart the patrol base in a direction other than the intended route of travel to throw off anyone who might be observing our departure. Taulk will turn to a northeast heading after he travels a distance of approximately one kilometer. If you watch for it you will get the signal as it is passed down the line."

As understanding dawned on the sergeant, Kyle basically ripped himself free of the grasp and hurried to close the gap created in the patrol column. Percy rushed up from behind and for a second time hissed loudly,

"But he has no compass! How will he know which way to go?"

Burning with irritation Kyle pointed to the dull glow over the horizon.

"The sun, Staff Sergeant, he'll use the sun. The rangers have used the heavens to show them the way for as far back as they can remember. It's also a standard rifleman skill."

After reaching the predetermined distance, Taulk passed back the hand and arm signal for change of direction and proceeded to the northeast. Percy appeared to make no effort to acknowledge the prediction. The rest of the day the squad made its way through the foot of the mountains, slowly winding along the assigned route.

Taulk and another ranger had traveled this course previously and served as guides. They picked the best parallel paths which offered the most concealment and protection to the patrol. Kyle explained to Percy that the column could not use the same path when they returned after the sergeant had failed to comprehend the indirect nature of the route selection. The senior man was correct in that the way traced by Taulk would be much slower, but it also demonstrated his total lack of understanding in regards to patrol tactics.

I hope I never have to serve under this joker again. One day he is going to get a bunch of good people killed.

As they advanced, the walls of the gullies became steeper and the patrol was forced to follow the more obvious ground. Terrain of this kind made Kyle extremely nervous as there was no other choice but to walk through it. He pulled out his photo generated map and noted the location as a choke point. Anyone who approached the valley from the northeast would have to pass through the area.

Per Standard Operating Procedure Kyle pushed the two rangers out further to the front to serve as an advanced warning. The men cleared obvious ambush locations and checked for signs of recent foot traffic. Percy eventually noticed one of the point men and sprinted up to Kyle unable to conceal his excitement. The other rangers in the column turned to see who was making all the noise and glared in disapproval.

It took a few moments but Kyle patiently explained to Percy that the individual he saw was one of their own men. Percy began to argue the point until Taulk reappeared to signal the all clear. The sergeant appeared miffed rather than embarrassed and made some cutting comment about not being kept 'in the loop'. Kyle glared at the man as he strode off down the valley.

Try picking up the Infantry Field Manual and reading it once in a while!

The squad continued to push eastward and the rocky hillsides began to give way to dense packs of tall spindly conifers. The squad moved expertly except for Percy who had a tendency of standing out against the landscape or scuffing his feet. Lemm watched yet another stone skitter across a rocky clearing and glanced at Kyle, who only shrugged his shoulders in helplessness.

What's a Corporal to do?

An essential element of a successful reconnaissance was silence. With this in mind, most infantry developed hand and arm signals to help communicate brief commands or instructions to avoid uttering a word. As the squad became more proficient they could advance the skill to a point where entire conversations were held with just the motion of fingers, hands, and arms. This was also a useful technique to bridge the language barrier.

Percy was too new to the squad to know any of the more advanced signals, but he had not bothered to learn any of the most basic signs either. The result was a man hissing or barking commands to people across a distance that could easily be detected by an enemy in the area. Worse was the fact that the sergeant would not understand a signal which required immediate action thereby jeopardizing the entire mission.

With this in mind Kyle tried to speak to Percy later that night while the patrol was in a temporary base. He had thought long and hard about the best way to approach the senior man so as not to put the sergeant on the defensive. Despite his best efforts the Percy could not be anything but offended.

"Are you kidding me?!"

Kyle flinched at the outburst. Glancing at the rangers in the shadows of the pines around them, he could tell they were agitated at the lack of noise discipline.

We're not in friendly territory anymore and these guys are going to stuff him into a tree trunk somewhere if he doesn't pipe down!

Kyle made an obvious effort to speak in a voice that was barely audible despite his close proximity to Percy.

"Staff Sergeant, I mean no offense. It's just..."

Percy seemed to take the lowered tone from Kyle as an admission of guilt. The staff sergeant let fly a tirade that was most likely heard by the security post outside the perimeter.

"Listen here Corporal Know-It-All, I've been in this man's Army for over fifteen years without having to do hand puppets or half of that other native voodoo nonsense that you call training."

Nonsense? Since when is basic sound, light, and camouflage discipline nonsense?

"You just remember one thing, and that's I'm in charge of this operation not you. If I think it's okay to strut naked down to the stream then that's what is going to happen. We go where I say, when I say, and how I say. In fact, tomorrow, you're relieved of handling the squad. I don't need you interfering with my operation. You just tag along behind me with your mouth shut and your ears open. When I need you to fetch me something I'll let you know. You got me?"

Kyle was stunned at the complete lack of professionalism.

Where did you come from?

"Are you deaf? I asked you a question, Corporal."

"Yes, Staff Sergeant."

Satisfied with his successful coup, Percy sat back against his combat pack under a low hanging pine branch.

"Excellent. Now how about you get out on the perimeter security where I don't have to look at your face. This way you can actually do some work for once instead of just walking around like you're hot shit."

Kyle should have felt anger at the rough handling but instead was overcome with a wave of apprehension. The idea of the irresponsible and unskilled man maneuvering his rangers struck him profoundly.

This asshole is going to get my men killed.

He felt it as sure as he knew the sun was going to rise the next day. Numb with the revelation, Kyle secured his gear and crawled out to the perimeter where a ranger marked the passage point that led out of their temporary patrol base. Crawling past the native, Kyle ignored the signed question that was asked and crept up to join Taulk and Rahn in a well camouflaged security position.

Rahn, too, inquired, but Kyle waved him off and signaled for the younger ranger to return to the perimeter to get some sleep. Rahn glanced at Taulk but obeyed, allowing Kyle to crawl into the vacated spot. Next to him the senior ranger glanced over inquisitively, but said nothing.

Kyle signed to the man that Percy was now running the squad. Taulk signed an epithet and surveyed the night around them. Kyle indicated that the two of them had to continue to manage the patrol behind the sergeant's back or he might get them all killed. Taulk acknowledged and gave Kyle the much needed reassurance that things would work out.

On the morning of the fifth day, the patrol left the mountain gullies and entered a chain of foot hills on the eastern mountain slope that led to the passage. Ahead Kyle could see long open valleys covered with old growth trees and open patches of wild grass. To the northeast the mountain chain continued as far as the eye could see and, in the distance, a flat blue green plain of the great steppe appeared to the east. A warm, welcoming breeze blew up from the valley and Kyle found it one of the most welcoming experiences he had had since the company made landfall.

Percy selected a route to the lip of a ridge which would afford an excellent view of the valley approaches below. The only issue Kyle had was that the course led through an area which would leave the patrol exposed and blind to oncoming threats.

Having been banished to the rear of the column, Kyle signaled for the point men to move around the left flank of the danger area. The rangers started to veer off toward the sparse cover when Percy suddenly yelled to them.

Son of bitch! What is that guy doing?!

The sergeant was chastising the rangers so loudly that Kyle could hear most of the reprimand from where he stood.

That's fucking it! They can court-marshal me all they want when we get back but I'll be damned if I'm going to let this mother fucker get away with this!

Furiously, Kyle stormed toward the unsuspecting sergeant who was angrily instructing the point men to proceed through the open ground.

"You people might want to learn some Universal! You know you're in the damned Army now don't you?!"

Kyle closed the distance to the man, trying to decide whether to bust him in the jaw or simply butt stroke him to the head. Suddenly, Taulk signaled a warning from a small ledge on the left flank, where he was providing early warning for the patrol as it prepared to enter the depression.

Danger Close - Enemy - That Way - Closing - Disperse - Hide!

On pure instinct the rangers echoed the signal and instantly melted into the surrounding terrain. Completely oblivious to the warning Percy was shocked by their sudden disappearance.

"Hey! Where the hell do you think you're all going?!"

Kyle forced himself to stay put instead of hiding so that Percy had a chance to see him signaling. The staff sergeant had worked himself into a full rage and spun around seething.

"Evans! What the fuck is going on here!? I told you I'm in charge now you son of a bitch! I'll have your balls for this you insubordinate...!"

The sergeant continued to rage at Kyle and pointed an accusatory finger in his direction. Glancing up and behind the man, Kyle saw a dust cloud waft up from beyond the ridge. Figuring noise discipline was blown anyway, he pointed and called out a warning.

"Watch out! Behind you! Hide!"

The sergeant stopped mid sentence in shock.

"I'm talking now! You shut your filthy hole and listen when you're being spoken to by a superior! This is a one way street you...!"

Kyle stared at the man in disbelief and glanced up again at the dust. Too far away to even think about trying to knock the man down, Kyle dove into a small bunch of pines nearby. Percy was again stunned into silence before exploding in another burst of outrage.

"Insubordination! Insubordination! This is blatant insubordination! I'll have you busted back to Private so fast you'll be shoveling shit with a spoon before you know..."

The anger on Percy's face vanished as he heard a group of cavalry riding up over the small rise behind him. Caught completely by surprise the sergeant turned to face the sound to his rear.

Two dozen men mounted on large dog-like beasts came to a halt on top of the small rise. They wore a combination of black plate and studded armor decorated with long strips of red cloth and hair streaming from the upper arms and helmet. In their arms they carried a wicked assortment of spears and small shields emblazoned with the image of a red eye on a black field.

The mounts appeared to be a crossbreed of huge wolf and short haired dog. Their bodies were covered in a hodgepodge of barding plates, and on their backs were saddles which bore their riders. Huge maws were left bare and displayed rows of long fanged teeth several inches in length. If these were not outriders of the famed Horde then nothing would be. Kyle looked at the motley collection of raiders.

Holy... fucking... shit...!

The riders all looked at Percy who stood in utter bovine incomprehension. The light dust kicked up by the enemy was gently carried away by a soft breeze. From where Kyle hid, it appeared that these men were the sole immediate threat to be dealt with.

A huge man in the middle of the enemy formation pointed with a long, reverse-curved sword which caught the light of the sun. He barked a single command and the riders around him kicked their mounts into action with a deep battle cry. Kyle dropped his eyes to look at Percy.

The wall of bared fangs and charging riders shocked the staff sergeant out of his daze. The raw look of terror on his face explained why the man had not swung up his carbine to fire. Percy ran away from his pursuers and made a straight line for where he had last seen Kyle standing.

He'll never make it.

Kyle felt his stomach as it cinched into a tight knot. He brought his carbine up to his shoulder and assumed a good firing position. The lead attacker leveled his spear and aimed it, as if intent on impaling the fleeing Percy. Without thought, Kyle took a sight picture on the rider, let out half a breath, and squeezed the trigger so smoothly that the carbine surprised him when it fired.

*CRACK!*

The raider tumbled out of the saddle and drove his mount into the ground with a spray of dust. The other riders maneuvered their dogs slightly so as to avoid becoming entangled with the fallen man. The group continued to close ground on Percy, and Kyle was forced to a half stance in order to acquire the next rider. As he emerged from the pines the attackers, catching sight of him, suddenly reared up and halted their charge. Kyle froze his trigger squeeze mid pull.

Maybe this can end here.

The riders turned and looked back at the leader on the ridge. The man regarded Kyle and assessed the situation. Seemingly convinced that his men could handle this new development, he again pointed his curved sword and bellowed. The riders turned as one and took up their charge once more.

Okay pal, that's going to cost you!

Kyle switched over to target the leader backlit against the sky. As he squeezed off the shot, Percy plowed into him and the two tumbled down a sandy embankment below the knot of pines. Coming to a rest at the bottom of the three meter bank, Kyle struggled to get his footing and spit the grit from his mouth.

"Sergeant Percy! Where the hell are you going!?"

Percy continued his mad scramble and raced toward another line of small trees further away. Kyle listened for the direction from which the raiders would attack and recovered his carbine.

Stay focused or you're going to die!

The cries of the riders faded and a menacing bark of the dogs could be heard instead. It was difficult to determine the direction from which the animals approached due to their soft pads. Their footfalls and jingle of equipment were ambiguous at best.

Pressing his back into the pine trees Kyle nestled close to achieve some rear and flank protection. Moreover, it was unlikely that a mounted attacker would navigate the steep drop he had just tumbled down.

Coming full speed, the first dog rounded the corner from the left with his rider low in the saddle. The massive paws of the animal pounded the ground as Kyle met the eyes of his attacker. The man tightened his crouch and expertly set the long shaft of the spear to drive it through Kyle's heart.

So this is what it looks like when someone wants you dead.

Kyle, in turn, leveled the carbine and squeezed off two quick shots. The rider lifted up and flopped backward across the saddle, but the dog continued, intent on making it to his target.

I hope to god I can stop you before you reach me!

Kyle flipped the selector switch to burst and aimed between the angry eyes that craved for his death. A short rap rocked out of the carbine and the animal landed in a heap of flying sand and pebbles. Kyle had only seconds to collect his wits as more riders appeared on the heels of the first.

Luckily the next two were at a further distance, thus giving Kyle time to aim. Bracing against his tree, Kyle shot the lead man out of the saddle with a short burst, having forgotten to reset the selector lever to semiautomatic. The second man veered his dog further to the outside, thinking a wider pass was safe. Unaware of the capability of a carbine the rider paid for this mistake with his life.

The unguided dogs traveled only a brief distance and seemed confused by the lack of control from a master, who were now unwittingly dragged behind them. Vicious growls were flashed at Kyle as the animals continued to nervously pass him by before loping off to regroup near distant trees. Kyle watched the bodies of the riders trail them unceremoniously across the rough terrain.

Now that's gotta suck.

A general roar of fighting rang out in front of the pines hiding him. Kyle realized that the rangers had ambushed the riders after they saw him disappear. Kyle turned and looked toward the direction in which Percy had fled and was furious to see no trace of the man. It was clear that the sergeant had no backbone for a fight.

And they wouldn't give a carbine to a native!

Fuming, Kyle pushed himself to his feet and advanced in the direction of his last attack. Carbine at the ready, he moved quickly in the loose sand, skirting the small pines toward the sound of fierce shouting and growling dogs.

Climbing the small embankment the scene presented to him was a whirlwind of animals and men locked in a desperate melee. A thick cloud of dust hung thick in the air, shrouding all with a golden curtain of sunlight. It would have been impossible to tell who was who except for the notably high perch of the raiders which clearly indicated them as enemy. Kyle hoped none of his men had made it into a saddle.

Leveling the carbine Kyle blew out two calming breaths before systematically shooting riders from their mounts. The need to quickly drop as many of the enemy as possible was critical as it would be impossible to identify friend if their foe were to dismount.

Fallen enemy were dispatched by shadows which Kyle assumed were rangers. The crazed dogs continued to bark and snarl, flashing their deadly teeth. These animals did not run from close-in fighting as the others had. One of the beasts bristled at a man in front of it and Kyle fired two shots into the head of the rabid monster, effectively ending the contest.

The creature yelped and snapped its massive jaws reflexively as it fell in a convulsing heap. At first Kyle was relieved to have stopped the dog, but he felt guilt on hearing the animal's whimper of pain. Then again, no matter how innocent the creature might be, it still could kill with an easy snap of its deadly teeth. This would be more than enough to give Kyle nightmares for years to come.

Nearly all of the riders and a few of their dogs were down on his side of the dust up. A few twitching bodies and one raider trying to crawl away under his own power was all Kyle could see. He stepped through the twist of fallen bodies and over the still form of a ranger coated in blood and grime. Kyle had no time to notice who it was, but guessed by the size that it was not Taulk.

Several riders broke away from the melee and kicked their dogs toward the small rise from which they had come. Kyle figured if they got away a larger enemy force would be after them in less than an hour. Even as he began to fire he realized with a sense of dread that he could not get them all.

The massive stride of the dogs carried their riders further away with each second that passed, while Kyle emptied his carbine with some of the sloppiest shooting he had ever done. He tried to collect himself as he fumbled for another brick to load into the weapon.

God damn it Evans! Concentrate! You have to fucking concentrate!

Another carbine began to fire from off to the left. Kyle practically screamed in jubilation and relief as rider after rider fell from the saddle in a deadly rhythm. As the last raider slid from his mount the remaining dogs continued to run unimpeded.

Kyle gave a victorious whoop in celebration.

Percy saved the day! He actually saved the fucking day!

It dawned on him that he might have misjudged the man.

I have to admit that it was some of the best damned shooting I've ever seen.

The rangers took the lightly wounded rider as a prisoner and swiftly eliminated the others. It amounted to cold blooded murder in the sense of modern warfare, but Kyle could not afford to guard them all back to the company. Anyone left alive was sure to bring more enemy down upon them. The prisoner was no more than a teenager and scared more than anything else. To Kyle, it seemed that this was his first real fight.

Welcome to manhood you son of a bitch.

Kyle directed for the rangers to start moving the prisoner as he continued to look for Percy. To his surprise Taulk appeared from the left flank holding a carbine at the ready. Kyle stopped, looked questioningly at the native, and pointed at the weapon.

"Where did you get that?"

Taulk had a somber look on his face.

"I am sorry."

Without knowing why, Kyle was alarmed by the statement.

"What do you mean 'sorry'?"

Taulk simply walked toward him with a look of severe anguish on his face. Horrified, Kyle watched the native step slowly down the sand and gravel toward him. The ranger looked at the fallen enemy scattered all the way up to the nearby rise. The native turned back to Kyle with pain in his expression.

"I am sorry."

Kyle felt all the energy in his body drain and he just looked at his friend. Suddenly it dawned on him.

Oh my god - you killed Percy!

A cold chill rushed through Kyle at the supposition and he became light headed.

What am I going to do? What am I going to do?! I can't believe he killed! What the fuck am I going to do?

As he looked behind Taulk, Kyle was astonished to see Percy storm down the slope.

"He can shoot! That man can shoot! Who taught him how to fire carbines!?"

The staff sergeant was drenched in sweat and he had numerous scratches across his face and hands. With an accusing finger jabbed at Taulk, Percy vented his fury with the full force of a megalomaniacal hurricane.

"Who taught you?! Who!?"

The dread in Kyle was swept away with a rush of pure relief. He practically laughed out loud on discovering that Percy was still alive. The staff sergeant stormed up to the native and snatched the carbine away, bellowing,

"Who the fuck taught you how to shoot these?!!"

Kyle watched Taulk's affect darken, and fearing the man might actually do something drastic murmured a didactic warning. Hearing this, Percy spun with his rage unchecked and practically spit in Kyle's face.

"YOU!?! You taught them?! You disobedient fuck! I'll have your head for this! You'll never see the light of day once they put you in the hole. Hell, the Lieutenant will have you dragged outside and shot if I have anything to say about it!"

Kyle almost laughed at the notion but said nothing as there would be no point. In fact, in the scheme of things he was beyond caring what the man had to say. Percy turned to the other rangers who were scattered around them in a loose circle and held the carbine aloft as he screamed.

"Who else? Who else knows how to use these?!"

The rangers all glanced at Kyle who only nodded his head. They each hesitatingly raised their hand for the staff sergeant to see. Percy turned on Kyle and stuck a finger back into his face.

"You dead! You get me? I'll volunteer to lead the firing squad myself! Hell, I'll volunteer to pull the trigger!"

Ha, you sanctimonious son of a bitch! You'll have to get in line!

Percy finally fell silent as his shrieking trailed off. The rangers glared at him and Kyle, too, felt his anger return. Remembering the moment before the raiders appeared he stared hard at the red faced man in front of him.

"With all due respect, Staff Sergeant, you need to keep your voice down. We need to strip this site and carry off our dead before enemy reinforcements arrive."

Percy appeared to regain some of his senses and started to say something else. Judging by the tone of his voice Taulk cut him off by pulling a wicked short blade and holding it suggestively. It was clear that the native had had enough of the soft man from headquarters.

"Staff Sergeant, if you threaten the Corporal again or make another noise louder than a footfall, I'll end you."

Alarmed at the escalation, Kyle was shocked to see Percy take a startled step back and level his carbine at Taulk.

"I'd kill you before you had a chance."

Taulk simply stared the man down.

"You think I'm the only one?"

Percy quickly looked at the other rangers and finally recognized the open hostility they had for him. His carbine barrel slowly swung back and forth as if trying to decide what to do next. The senior man started to panic and croaked,

"You're going on report, mister! This is mutiny!"

Taulk smiled the darkest smile Kyle had ever seen.

"You can't file a report if you don't make it back."

Kyle looked at Taulk in growing alarm.

He means it. This is getting out of control. I have to do something.

Straightening to his fullest height and assuming the best impersonation of Holly that he could muster, Kyle barked at Taulk,

"That's enough of that. Fall out and get the men moving, we're un-assing this area immediately."

Taulk kept his eyes locked on Percy but the smile left his face and the blade was lowered to his side. Kyle became worried that he would not be able to regain control.

Taulk, for the love of Christ stop fucking around and go already!

Kyle leaned toward the ranger.

"I said move, Taulk. Now."

The native glanced at him before turning to get the squad ready to depart. Percy lowered his weapon as he perceptively deflated with relief. Kyle watched the natives move off like a well oiled machine and turned back to the staff sergeant.

I'm not done with you yet.

"Staff Sergeant, you file that report if you want to; Just make sure you include the parts where you ran in the face of the enemy and Taulk fired your abandoned weapon in the defense of the squad. I'll make sure the Lieutenant knows that ranger prevented the escape of the surviving cavalry and that the patrol was compromised due to your deficient skills. I am hereby taking back command of my squad, and you are more than welcome to join us."

Kyle did not wait for a reply and spun with a hand signal to Lemm. The ranger pulled the bound and gagged prisoner to his feet and led him away. Two other rangers reached down and grabbed the litter on which they had placed Neel's mangled body. With an anger that burned, Kyle shook his head and silently fumed.

If that ranger had been issued a carbine he never would have been close enough for a dog to chew on him!

The others had finished stripping the enemy of intelligence and valuables. As one, the squad spread out in column and moved to the cover of the pines from which they had just arrived. The patrol objectives had been met, but until they made it back to the base, the mission would not be over.

Regardless of the outcome of this mission it wasn't worth the life of one of my men.

Percy simply stood dumbfounded as the rangers continued on their way. Kyle looked at him from the passage point while Taulk counted the others off of the ambush site. The big man signaled the head count and at a nod from Kyle faded into the pines behind the column.

Kyle scanned the surrounding ridges and made a silent prayer that there were no other enemy scouts above them. It would be easy for unfriendly eyes to watch every move they made since the patrol entered the depression. The only hope was to pull back to where the cavalry could not pursue them and make it to the company without being followed.

Percy struggled in a winded huff as he caught up to the patrol. As he slipped past Kyle, his anger and hostility had returned and he hissed in a threatening tone,

"You haven't heard the last of this you little shit..."

With a red face the man trudged past the last ranger who waited to cover the rear. A thought popped into Kyle's head so quickly that he almost laughed at it.

I should do us all a favor and just shoot him now.

The ease with which the notion had arrived alarmed him and kept it from being funny. Kyle had to just wait and see what the staff sergeant would do when the patrol returned to the main post. With a deep sigh he slapped a reassuring hand on the last ranger and headed up the valley after the others.

* * *