Journey to the Unknown #10. A New Threat. Part Two
Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
A New Threat. Part Two
When we set off, there were no more than fifty men in our detachment, including our crew. The combat equipment of our group was different - from the battle ax to the latest weapon of laser weapons. And the very appearance of our fighting group from the side could cause both perplexity and mockery. Just imagine a group of people consisting of several people, equipped with the latest word of cosmic fashion and technology, and the rest, dressed in the skins of dead animals, with weapons that emerged from ancient times ...
Laughter, and only.
However, we were all very determined and confident that we will achieve victory at any cost. After a day we went out to the edge of the forest, and then we heard the roar of a distant explosion and saw in the side where our ship was, a column of black, thick smoke ...
It was all over. Are we forever stuck on this planet? It became clear that the "guests" had arrived not with peaceful intentions. We had only to go back and try to provide security to our friends, whom we were drawn into trouble. On the way back, we moved immediately and walked at a fast pace, perfectly realizing that the handful of soldiers who remained to defend the camp could hardly resist the onslaught of such a merciless enemy.
We have not even made a halt and have been in place for less than ten hours. Thank God, it was still peaceful. But it was impossible to calm down this apparent calmness, so the leader immediately gave the order to quickly collect things that could be taken with him, and immediately leave the camp. I expected that crying and lamentation would begin, but nothing happened. Women silently and seriously collected the most necessary things and products, they were helped by husbands and older children, the younger ones were sitting around, gnawing like sparrows. For an hour, everyone was ready to start off.
Forward the leader sent several warriors to conduct reconnaissance and report to him whether the path is clear, whether there are no ambushes there. Then, instead of a shield, soldiers went again in two rows. They were followed by women and children, on both sides of which there was also protection from the warriors of the tribe. Closed the column, my friends, covering the rear of everyone else. Towards evening we were already far from the place of the former parking lot and settled on rest on a forest glade surrounded from all sides. All settled down to rest, except for a few sentries, exposed along the perimeter of the camp. The night was relatively calm. In the morning everyone quickly had a bite, fed the children and started off again.
Amazed by the fact that during the entire trip we have never heard the crying or laughter of children. They silently endured all the hardships of this transition. Apparently, they are raised from them by excellent warriors and their patient wives. On that day, however, the campaign did not pass as easily as it had been the day before. First, everyone was already so tired that even during the night they could not rest properly. Secondly, after a while, we smelled burning and turned back to see a column of smoke where we spent the night and left some of the things that interfered with the faster movement of our detachment. The leader noticeably got nervous and, without stopping movement, on the run held a meeting with his assistants and our commander.
It was decided, as soon as possible, to reach the secret underground catacombs and hide in them. They have repeatedly hidden there from their enemies. Having overcome a few more kilometers at a fast pace, the leader stopped, quietly commanded something to his closest associate, and he gave a secret sign to all other relatives. Speed slowed, and then I noticed how people began to disappear right before our eyes. It was so surprising, because I, no matter how strained my vision, could not even see a hint of any passage. When my turn finally came, I was even more surprised.
The hope of salvation
I just stood on a barely noticeable forest path, but when I just took the next step, I turned to the left a little, as I found myself in a wide tunnel, illuminated by the faint light emanating from the small torches fixed on its walls.
He stretched far away and hid in a light mist, in which, one by one, the figures of people melted away.
Following them, I reached the turn, and then I saw bright sunlight. It turned out that this tunnel led us to a clearing, where no one, except members of this tribe, never visited. It was here that they hid from the attacks and intrigues of enemies.
Glade was small, square in shape, fenced high walls as if it was made artificially. In addition to the tunnel from which we left, I noticed one more passage in each wall. The leader explained that these are passes to other parts of the forest, but they use them only in extreme cases. He also explained that there is also a bunker in which they hide in the cold season.
After a long and worrisome transition, everyone was very tired. Many even refused to eat and immediately went to bed.
For several days we enjoyed the rest and shared our impressions of what we saw on this planet, and also made assumptions about the goals with which the unexpected guests arrived.
We also thought about our future. How long will we have to stay here, heard our call for help, and if they heard, then who? Friends or enemies?
We had a march transmitter, but in order for the signal to be strong enough, we would have to find a higher point. So far, however, we had to hide and wait for the right moment. A few days later, the watchmen reported that the enemy's scouts had left, leaving us at last in peace. Waiting for the fidelity for another couple of days, we moved on the way back. In front of us were scouts who checked to see if there were ambushes. When we came to the place where there used to be a village, we discovered that all the buildings were destroyed by fire. We had to linger to help our friends rebuild their homes.
At the same time, we were looking for a way to contact someone from friends or allies. Every day a group of two or three people went to a nearby hill, adjusted the transmitter and transmitted the "SOS" signal at different frequencies. At last, the day came when we heard the answer. We were informed that our signal had reached one of the ships sent to our search. From us, it was required only to specify the coordinates and inform about the situation on the planet. Sending the requested data, we heard in response that the ship will arrive about three days later.
In order not to waste time, we decided to explore the planet once again. However, this time we did not begin to divide into groups, considering that taking into account the experience we had already gained, it is better to stick together. We also wanted to find out what all the same happened to our ship, suddenly there is something useful and useful. For two days we made a map of the nearest neighborhoods, made a description and sketches of local flora and fauna, among which, by the way, there were some curious specimens. How I wanted to take a few small funny animals with me and give them to Uncle Yiyi's zoo ... But for now, it was impossible to do it.
On the third day, we moved quickly to the place of our landing, warmly bidding farewell to the aborigines who sheltered us, who helped us to survive on this planet. From a distance, it was clear that instead of the ship that was hanging out, only a mutilated pile of metal could be discerned in the parking lot. Nevertheless, we got to the remains of our ship and wandered for a long time between his burnt wreckage, trying to find something. Found, of course, a little, but still, it is not enough for some reason can be useful in the farm.
During the searches flew by the time, the hour "X" was approaching, when our rescuers were due to arrive. We could only wait. And then suddenly we heard a terrible roar that came from the side where our enemies were. And at that very moment, we saw how the enemy spaceship disappeared into the upper atmosphere ...
To be continued...
Thanks for reading.
see you again.
