Plan B
He lay silently, head low, his eyes mere slits. The rifle rested on the palm of his hand, perfectly balanced. He waited, breathing slow and easy, listening. The forest sounds soothed his nerves, calming him. Birds made the same noises they made on Earth, melodic chirps and trills, as they fluttered through the trees above his head, fighting over the bright yellow berries.
He waited, ignoring the dull throb of aching legs, the muscles already tightening after his run to get ahead of the enemy. His chest protested at his position, as the bruises that were blossoming across his body made themselves felt. Only once did he move, to brush a persistent beetle from his arm.
He waited. Patiently.
He heard them even before the birds flew off, as they came crashing through the undergrowth without concern for stealth. They had no reason to be quiet – they had left him dying, tied to a tree for the predators to find. No point bringing him with the others, he had proven to be far too much trouble, so they settled for three.
They came into view on the edge of the clearing, the gate standing solitary before them. Carter stumbled, her clothes torn and covered with dirt. The man leading her pulled tight on the rope around her hands, tugging her to her feet before cuffing her across the face. Her head flew back with the force of the blow and he saw blood run from her lip.
His blood pulsed in his veins as he felt the rage grow, but he pushed it down. There was no point running amuck, it would do his friends no good. He was outnumbered and injured. He had to work with the tools at hand – one almost depleted clip of ammunition, and a skill he sometimes wished he didn't have.
He waited, knowing he only had one chance at this.
The leader dialled.
Still he waited, as his teammates were pushed towards the steps.
The wormhole whooshed into life.
He breathed evenly and took the enemy out with five rapid shots, each hitting their target and dropping them where they stood.
Then he lowered his now trembling arms, and let his head fall to rest on them, shutting his eyes. He would allow himself a minute to rest.
Just a minute.
His team's voices sounded dully through the pounding behind his closed lids. He heard his name.
He'd answer them in a minute. After he had rested.