SNAFU: Hunters

As soon as the last of the group arrived, everything changed. The computer equipment was packed up and loaded in the trucks, as well as food supplies, clothing and weapons. The two younger girls were busy tending to the Cobalts, but everyone else lent a hand to the grunt work. By the time dusk had begun to steal the light from the sky, they were ready to leave.

“You can ride with Sig,” Tighe called to Harris, and now he rode shotgun with the big Scandinavian.

The vehicles, fully loaded with all their equipment, pulled out of the warehouse single file and headed to their next destination.

“Welcome to the rabbit hole,” Sig said with a wide, white grin, “Things’ll just get weirder for you from here on out.”

“Great,” Harris replied, wondering again why he’d agreed to this assignment.

* * *

Their next temporary base of operations wasn’t nearly as spacious or comfortable as the warehouse. Instead, they set up shop out of the transport trucks themselves. Makeshift tents were erected, and bathroom facilities consisted of portable chemical toilets concealed in dappled canvas lean-tos. Electronics and computer equipment was set up inside the box truck once supplies were moved out to make room. Rather than a generator, the power source was an enigmatic suitcase-sized container with strange etchings unlike anything Harris had seen before. Until he saw Vida checking her weapon.

“What is that?” he asked, pointing to the matte black etchings on the stock.

“Didn’t read the mission files?” she asked, but the corner of her mouth twitched, and he realized she was giving him a hard time. “Tech etchings. The latest sci-apps coming down from research and development. Next best thing to voodoo.”

As she spoke she stroked the rifle, and he noted the way her tattoos matched up to the markings on the stock. There was a soft click and then a low hum. Electric blue glimmered from her implants and the weapon before fading again.

“Handy,” he said, immediately seeing the benefit. The rifle couldn’t be fired until it was activated; due to the tech, the only one who could activate it was Vida. Even if someone took it from her, they wouldn’t be able to use it. “So which came first, the tech or the tatts?”

She laughed, a low rich sound that made him smile in turn. “The age-old question.”

“Contact.”

Vida and Harris both turned to see the young Cobalt handlers reporting to Tighe. Harris had been introduced to the girls, but so far couldn’t tell them apart. They were sisters with more than a hint of Asian ancestry, caramel-cream skin and dark secret eyes. Harris wasn’t sure if they were twins or just very close in age.

“Where?” Tighe asked, checking the display.

“Here,” one of the girls said, pointing at a spot on the map. “Faina is close.”

The other girl nodded, adding, “Esfir reports multiple OHs.”

“OHs?” Harris asked. He had scanned the files he’d been given, but didn’t recognize the term.

“Otherworld Hostiles,” Vida answered, on her feet. “How many, Kai?” she called.

“At least three,” the girl said, her eyes going unfocused as she accessed her link to the Cobalt. “Possibly more. She’s not sure yet. The scent is so strong it’s making her nose blind.”

“Tell ‘em to keep back,” Tighe ordered. “We’re on our way.” He nodded to Bronze on his way out of the truck, “You’ve got the comms. Vida, Nate, Sig – with me.”

“Vida.”

She paused in gathering her weapons, and Nate watched as Vida met Kai’s dark eyes.

“There’s something out there beside the ’poneras,” the girl said, a note of worry in her soft voice. “Esfir is confused. She’s not sure what it is. She says it smells bad, worse than the usual.”

“Stay on the comms, close to Bronze,” Vida said, touching the girl’s shoulder lightly before motioning Nate to follow the men. “You let us know what the cats see, but keep them safe!”

Nate frowned as Kai went back to the truck and leaned against her sister, their heads together as though they might be whispering.

“What?” Tighe asked as Vida climbed into the SUV beside the man.

“Something bad,” she replied, but did not elaborate.

* * *

Harris checked the time. It was just after twenty-two-hundred hours. He shifted, careful not to make any sound. The sky was mostly clear, with only a few thin, ragged clouds scudding across the star-filled vault. The moon had yet to make an appearance, but in the clearing beyond the stand of trees where he waited, it was still light enough to see.

“Report.”

The word was softly spoken, the bud in his ear making sure the sound didn’t travel. Just as softly, he replied, “Nothing so far.”

Sig’s voice, deep and pleasant, said, “All clear.”

“Movement.” Vida’s voice was rich, even over the ear-bud.

Harris tensed, looking to where he’d last seen the woman at the northern end of the clearing.

“Never mind, it’s Faina.” Eyeshine glinted at the edge of the meadow, but the Cobalt’s coloring made her virtually invisible in the dim light.