Chapter 17: The Chaos in the Camp
The battle at the Cainite concentration camp had devolved into something messy, almost primal. Muwatalli, having freed the bulk of the lionmen prisoners, could see where it was going—how it was becoming a free-for-all. With the desperation of the battle, it was easy how anything that didn’t look like oneself would become an enemy. It was upon this desperation that Muwatalli roared his orders, “fall back, everyone, we leave the camp.”
A freed lion prisoner, his clothes tattered, responded, “And the others?”
“We’ll come back for them, Parthas,” Muwatalli said.
Parthas nodded. “I’ll relay your orders to make sure there are no stragglers.”
“Tell them this: do not attack the hawks unless you have no choice.”
“Yes, Chief.”
Now satisfied that his orders were being carried out, Muwatalli turned to Melia; the princess were still at the entrance commanding Turtey, who was now firing a round of high-pressure brine against an incoming hawk warrior.
“Princess Aquaea,” the Lion Chief called out. “How is Group Eagle?”
Melia saluted, then showed her Aquaean communicator. “I just got their report, sir. They’ve freed Rick.”
“They’ve rescued Ricardo the Smith? Excellent,” said Muwatalli. “Tell them that we’ll be heading to the rendezvous point. We’re falling back out of this camp.”
“Roger,” responded Melia. “If only the hawks would stop attacking us. I thought we’re supposed to be friends.”
Muwatalli shook his head. “They’re supposed to be our allies, yes. But in the chaos of battle, it can be difficult to see who our friends are. In all fairness, some of our freed prisoners were also attacking the hawk warriors.”
“I hope Abel, Nia, and Nike will be fine,” Melia said, her expression sullen. “Rick too.”
“We’ve done what we can,” said Muwatalli. “Now we must let Abel of Ramsey’s group to pull their own end of the hunt.”
Yet as the two were in discussion, Parthas arrived once more, his breath heavy and his expression frantic. “Chief Muwatalli, Report!”
Muwatalli crossed his arms. “Go on.”
“I have relayed your orders, our warriors should be retreating very soon,” Parthas said.
“Good,” responded Muwatalli. “But there’s more isn’t it?”
Parthas’ face looked uncertain. “Indeed, Chief. Some of our warriors have reported a Dragon Tribe airship arriving from the other side of the camp with an army. And some said that the Conquering Cain is in that army.”
“Oh no,” Melia interjected.
Muwatalli roared with anger. “Are you sure, Parthas?”
“That part is uncertain,” Parthas said with haste. “Whoever saw him could have been mista…”
“Unlikely,” interrupted Muwatalli. “It is unlikely to mistake anyone else for the Conquering Cain even from a distance. Once you’ve seen him, you cannot forget him.”
Sweat dripped from Parthas’ face. “Yes, Chief. What do we do now?”
“You stay here and gather up our warriors,” Muwatalli said. “I shall go into the camp with Princess Aquaea to retrieve my sister and Ricardo the Smith.”
Parthas raised an eye. “Just you and the Shark Princess, sir?”
“The hawks are less likely to spot a small group,” explained Muwatalli. “And even if they did, they won’t see a Lion Chief, a Shark Princess, and an Aquaean turtle as an enemy.” He then turned to Melia. “Now let’s go, Princess Aquaea.”
“Yes, sir,” Melia said. “Let’s go.”
***
Group Eagle, consisted of Abel, Nia, Asmunikal, and now Rick were now making their way out of the camp.
Asmunikal took to the roofs once more, taking vantage of the entire battle. But this time, she wasn’t alone: Rick was also with her, keeping watch with his arquebus. Down below in the streets, Abel took point; holding on to his stun baton, Abel began ascertaining the paths. Behind him was Nia, her medic gun pocketed in her holster; but she felt uncharacteristically unsafe, and she looked to the red-skinned woman even further behind.
“Are you sure we should let her stalk us, Captain?” Nia said.
Abel grimaced. “There’s not exactly much we can do about her now.”
Nia narrowed her eyes. “You could have just let Nike send her to hell.”
“You know I can’t do that in good conscience,” responded Abel.
“I know,” Nia said, taking a deep breath. “I know you did the right thing, Abel. It’s just… it would have been so easy.”
“Yeah,” said Abel. “Just don’t turn your back on her, Nia. Someone like her, you’d be better off turning your back on a tiger.”
“Understood, Captain.”
But their conversation was interrupted as Asmunikal called from above, “We have incoming, hawks and….”
Abel couldn’t help but notice the pause. “Nike? What is it?”
It was Rick who answered, “We have Emperor Baldy McTomato, Captain.”
“Are you sure?” Abel called back.
“Positive,” Rick said. “His black armor and giant red sword is a dead giveaway.”
That was all Abel needed to know; sweat dripped down his neck. Of all the people who showed up, it had to be Cain the Conqueror. The UEC Captain still remembered the towering figure of Cain; sure, he was able to get the better of the Emperor of Kruptos during the escape from the Dark City, but only because he had the element of surprise; he had caught Cain with his armored pants down. This time, Cain came in fully prepared for battle. This was the Cain who had conquered a whole planet, slaughtered countless of people, and defeated Chief Muwatalli in single combat.
“Oh no,” Nia said. “What do we do now?”
Abel’s answer was simple: retreat, as there was no way they could have won this battle.
But Thalya’s voice interrupted as if she had read his mind, “Retreat is not an option, Abel Ramsey. Yet you also know that you will not win a direct clash. I wonder what to do, hmm…”
Nia frowned. “W-would you just get out of here!?”
“Oh,” Thalya said, feigning an expression of hurt. “You know I could have just handed you all to my father at this moment. Yet I won’t. Show some gratitude, Sethite woman.”
Nia’s palm balled into a fist as she was seething, yet she couldn’t say anything in response.
“Enough,” Abel interrupted. “We cannot win a head-on battle, but we can lay low. Perhaps even use the hawks as distraction.” Then he looked up. “Rick, Nike! How’s it going up there?”
“Good,” Rick called. “I heard your conversation. We’ve made a kind of alliance with the hawks.”
“Kind of?” Abel cried.
“They know I’m only shooting the Cainites, so they decided to let us be,” Rick explained.
Then Asmunikal interjected, “Be aware of your flanks, the Cainites are moving into your position.”
“Understood,” Abel said.
Abel inspected his stun baton—everything looked good—then turned to Nia who was making sure she had her medic gun with her. Of course, Thalya was still around; not exactly reassuring. But it was time to dig in.
***
Abel kicked a Cainite soldier before he stunned him, and the red-skinned soldier soon crumpled to the ground. Then he quickly ducked to avoid a laser-fire. From behind the cover of the building, Abel saw another soldier about to pursue, but collapsed as a hawk-held spear crashed into him with lightning quick speed.
The UEC Captain felt exhaustion and soreness all throughout his muscles and joints but soon felt it all dissipating away with a ray of green. He looked to see Nia, holding her medic gun.
“Thanks, Lieutenant,” Abel said.
“You’re welcome,” Nia said, flashing a smile that skipped a beat for Abel’s heart.
As the two looked to the streets, Abel and Nia saw an ongoing battle raging; hawk vibro-steel clashing against Cainite lasers. The hawks fell in numbers, but soon they closed in the Cainite ranks, and in melee it became lance against bayonet, and the hawks soon drove the army of Cain off the battlefield.
Yet Abel couldn’t relax just yet. More Cainite soldiers broke in from another side, flanking the UEC officers. But before any of them could fire, an explosion burst within the squad, taking them out.
Abel and Nia looked to the stairs next to them to see their savior, it was Rick, holding his arquebus; he smirked.
“Looks like I came in just in time.”
“Rick,” Abel called. “How did you…?”
“Grenade launcher,” answered Rick, his tone nonchalant.
“Oh,” Abel said.
Nia smirked. “Why am I not surprised?”
Rick shrugged. “I didn’t hear a thank you, but whatever.” His face turned serious. “We have to make a path, Cain’s absolutely decimating the hawks. Nike’s still keeping an eye, but it wouldn’t be long before we’re overwhelmed.”
“Okay,” Abel said, pointing to the door where the Cainite soldiers were. “Then let’s head over there. We’ll help the hawks flank the enemy.”
“Lead the way, sir,” Rick said.
And thus, Abel and Rick began making their way past the door.
***
It did not take long for Nia to hear the distinctive sound of Rick’s arquebus firing from behind that door; she knew her fellow UEC officers were now in battle; she began to follow, when she felt her hand being held. Nia’s eyes widened when she saw the red hand.
“Halt,” Thalya said. “I need your assistance, Sethite woman.”
Nia looked at the Kruptosian Princess like she was crazy. “Excuse me? What do you need me for? Since when do you ever acknowledge me, let alone need my help?”
Thalya face remained impassive, she pointed to the streets outside, showing bodies littering the ground. “See those hawks? They’re dying as we speak. Only you can save them.”
Nia looked unsure. “But Abel…”
“Abel Ramsey can take care of himself,” Thalya said, “especially with Rick Smits with him now. Wouldn’t you say, Nia Ennis?”
Nia couldn’t help but pause. “That’s… you’re right.”
And with that, Nia took her medic gun out of her holster and began making her way to the street, Thalya following close behind. The first hawk was deceased, there was nothing she could have done to save his life now.
As Nia passed through the dead hawk, Thalya knelt down beside the corpse, before picking up the lance.
Nia looked to Thalya with curiosity.
“He won’t be needing it where’s he’s going,” the Princess said.
“Right,” Nia said, and thought no more of it.
A terrible mistake.
Then Nia finally found a hawkman on the ground still alive, now writhing in pain. Quickly, the UEC Lieutenant knelt before the wounded soldier as she was taking out her medic gun.
“Don’t worry,” Nia said. “You’ll be just fine.”
Nia held the trigger of the medic gun, ready to fire, and felt a whack to the back of her head. Everything went dark, as if the lights had just went out.
To be continued…
Thanks for reading. If you love my work, consider supporting my work through one of the following:
Buy my books:
Tip via Buy Me A Coffee.
Bitcoin: bc1qydz05wsjqmuhqv6yu6zr0l45wewzhgkg96xqt0
Thank you in advance for your support, it keeps me writing and helps me considerably. Germanicus Publishing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.