Miles to the northwest from Mark's camp towards Terra Nova almost in the foothills of the mountains that He'd traversed earlier.
The six soldiers had decided to make camp in a small alcove made up of large fallen trees that had blown down over a nest of
boulders at the base of the scree field. Their sense of telepathy had alerted them of a small group of especially large raptor like
creatures that had obviously been shadowing them for some time. It hadn't gotten dark yet, but it was decided that making camp
in a secure spot was in order. Towards the back of this alcove. Their leader had propped himself up against a large boulder, his
focused attention on the reader in his hands. Around him. His subordinates had settled themselves in and were going over their
equipment and getting ready to bed down for a rest.
They had been following the two heretics for five days now. After picking up the notice of apprehension from the magister and
being briefed. It took them less than a day to go to the portal. Liquidate the portal master and wreck his camp, then pass through
the veil. When they appeared at the other end of the portal, it was short work locating the hidden beacon's signal, then following
them as they made their journey through this raw land. They had been waylaid by a group of larger raptors two days before they
made their camp here and then had simply decided to wait them out. So they had been in a hurry to cover lost ground in order to
catch up to their quarry. They had spied an odd bunching in one of the clumps of brush on their way up to this camp site, but being
too far behind their targets had to make up some distance. The leader had simply filed away the location to check on their way back
if they did go back this way. It was an intriguing spot. He suspected their were humans camped there, since he thought he could
detect an aura emanating from there.
Coming back to the present. The man powered off the reader and stowed, as he did. He commented.
-Has it struck any of you as odd, they'd send a liquidator squad to do the work of a scout team? It seems all our orders are to do
is follow them, til they return to the portal. Then liquidate them, and if they find do anything. Confiscate it and hold them.
It just seems odd to me.
-We were told they'd become involved in a highly illegal activity, so it would make sense. Otherwise. They do seem different
than the garden variety mutts we normally off. Sir. There seems to be someone in their clan who would have them fail.
The speaker was a tall, quiet man with black hair, green eyes and angular features. He was sitting across from their squad leader.
Also settled for the night, by leaning back against the wall a short distance away with his feet propped on his pack and his rifle
pointed to the door. Everyone else had glanced in the leaders direction but didn't answer. They'd done this for so long, the why
hardly mattered to them. The conversation was overshadowed by the noise starting to pick up out side as the group of raptors had
found their hide away and were trying to flush out the their prey. One of them finally decided to be bold and tried lunging in, to try
and get one of the men he could see but was maddeningly out of reach. Two loud booms permeated the air in the surrounding forest
as the creatures life was snuffed out to make a handy plug for the entrance.
-Their mission seems innocent enough. Sir. But I would almost bet that they are looking for a refuge to bring some folks over here.
That's all the illegal activity might be. Their particular clan is very possessive of their reproductive capability and have had a
reputation of not letting their citizens go easily, out of the free hold. So it seems were stuck with some clan leaders dirty work.
The speaker was a short disagreeable man who though outspoken had the respect of the rest of the team. Despite their calling, it wasn't
unusual to talk about the targets as people amongst them selves in order to plan out their method of attack. So long as the target was
resolved. Most times a simple visit, sometimes on the route of flight the target was taking would be all that was required to turn a person
back to their place in the community. But sadly many didn't return despite their actions.
The squad considered this as they surveyed the recently deceased door stop they'd seemed to The raptors outside had tried to remove the
body but had simply started to feed on it, and the noise outside had grown in volume. The squad simply bedded down for the night.
Pretty soon most were asleep. But the leader lay back and thought on his orders a while longer, til he too faded off.
The next morning. On awakening, they found that their recently deceased friend had been pulled out of the opening. Its remains lay about 20
feet away from the opening. A mass of ripped up meat, bone and hide scattered across the clearing. The larger raptors were gone, but a host
of smaller predators were picking off the carcass. And every time anyone of the squad looked out of the alcove, they would be screeched at
threateningly.
The leader of the squad cast about mentally and picked up the aura of three or four of the larger predators like the one they'd killed last night.
Obviously persistent for an easy catch. One of the men with a high velocity rifle simply cocked and loaded it, then aimed between two tree limbs
pointing out towards where one of the aura's was. And squeezed the trigger. The report was deafening. Outside. The smaller predators scattered
at the sound of the detonation. But not seeing any threat around. Started to return to their feast. One of the larger raptors went down with its chest
exploded. Dead before it hit the ground. The rifleman calmly reloaded and pointed a little to the right, and fired again. Getting a high pitched screech
for his reward. Outside. The raptor that was hit staggered around with half its right leg shot off. Its cries drew out the remaining raptors who looked
around for the enemy who could kill unseen. Three more shots rang out in succession, and soon their cries faded.
The six men soon exited the small tree cave and moved quickly away from the kill site. Resuming their course on ward to the mountains ahead.
-I'm amazed Sir. The rifleman said to his leader. -One would think that after getting away, they might have sense to remove the tracker by now.
-Just so. The magister said they'd made sure that the tracker was placed without their knowledge, or they were simply unaware of it.
It seems though we have to consider it being found soon.
-Its only a matter of time, then we'll have no choice but to work closer in. Looks like the signal is coming from over that peak Sir.
We have a hell of a hike ahead of us.
One of the younger members of the squad commented.
-For two people with heavier packs than what were carrying, they sure have made better time than we have. Especially if they were on foot.
-Acknowledged. It is quite likely that they may have stumbled across the local population and may now be soliciting their help. We have
to prevent that. We can't allow a third party to interfere.
The leaders statement killed the conversation for some while. Eventually they'd reached the scree field at the base of the first slope. First thing they noted
were tire tracks angling up the slope, indicating two or more vehicles. Gathering at the base of the scree field. They quickly conferred.
-Looks like there is an established holding nearby. These tracks were recent.
Said the older man with a long gun. He stood looking up the slope, his eyes tracing the route up the hill towards the ridge line.
-You remember that one spot we suspected was a camp but didn't get a visual? About a day ago?
The leader asked as he stood next to the long gunner. His attention focused on their back trail. Two others assented to the question.
-Thought there was something funny about that clump of brush against that outcropping. Think there might have
been two people holed up there, but if they'd been sleeping, we'd not get a decent aura.
Said the shortest member of the team. He occupied a spot to his leaders left. Minding his area.
-I though I'd picked up three patterns myself. But it was indistinct. We were simply too far
away. We might pass that way on our way back
See if there is a heifer to ravish. Been a while.
The leaders reply had everyone smiling, and they had to agree. Turning, they started to climb.