Chapter 4: Nightmare Pincers
Kiri and Spider raced blindly through the dense fog, desperate to escape the ominous hissing that pursued them. The ground beneath their feet was slippery, covered in tangled vines that threatened to trip them, but they pressed on. The mechanical monstrosity had vanished from their sight, replaced by the distant echoes of gunfire and a resounding crash. After the deafening impact, silence descended upon the marsh, and the duo sought refuge in a hollowed-out tree trunk.
Gasping for breath, Spider removed his mask, his voice rapid and strained. "What the hell is happening?" His exhaled breath fogged the air.
Clutching her injured arm, Kiri replied breathlessly, "I have no idea."
Spider cast a concerned gaze at her wounded arm. "How are you holding up?"
Grimacing, Kiri groaned, "I'll manage. Are we safe?"
"Wait a moment," Spider said, peering cautiously around the corner. "I don't see anything."
Anxiety evident in her voice, Kiri asked, "What should we do now? My parents are going to kill me."
"Take it easy," Spider reassured, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder and scanning the surroundings once more. The fog was gradually lifting, revealing a faint glimpse of the path along the stream they had followed to track the machine. "I know where we are."
Relieved, Kiri exhaled deeply and sat down to catch her breath. She was covered in scratches from their tumultuous escape and coated in a layer of mud, the bruise on her arm a painful reminder.
Suddenly, a disconcerting beeping emitted from Spider's exopack. Both froze in panic, recognizing the ominous sound—the oxygen supply was dangerously low.
"Damn it," Spider exclaimed, checking his gauge.
Standing up, Kiri hesitated to ask the question. "How much do we have left?"
"Not enough to make it back home," Spider hissed, frustration evident as he struck the tree with his fist. "I'm sorry, Kiri. I messed up today."
Frowning, Kiri couldn't help but give him a one-armed embrace. "It's not your fault; it's mine."
Sighing, Spider realized that complaining wouldn't solve their predicament. "We'll discuss it later. Let's find a way out of here."
Stepping back, Kiri nodded. "You mentioned knowing our location?"
"Yeah," Spider affirmed, gesturing towards the river. "We're about halfway to the helicopter."
An idea sparked in Kiri's mind. "Can't we find another rebreather mask in the helicopter?"
Surprised, Spider's face brightened. "Oh, right! There's an emergency mask in the cockpit. I'm glad you're the brains here."
Kiri couldn't help but smile at the praise.
Spider glanced outside one last time, ensuring their safety. Through the dissipating fog, he spotted spider frogs swimming in one of the nearby pools, but there was no sign of the machine or the unidentified creature from before. "Let's go," he said, stepping outside.
Cautiously, Kiri followed, scanning their surroundings with unease, expecting the machine to materialize at any moment.
Both proceeded in the direction of the stream, their footsteps muffled by the murmur of the flowing water. They moved stealthily, crouching low in the thick, luxuriant grass. The diminishing sunlight filtered through the foliage as the sun descended, signaling a few hours until nightfall.
After a while, they glimpsed the crashed helicopter in the distance, its cockpit glimmering in the sunlight.
Whispering with assurance, Spider said, "I see it."
Relieved, Kiri let out a sigh. At least one of their problems seemed solvable.
Taking cover behind a sizable tree, they suddenly heard noises emanating from behind them. They watched as two Yeriks galloped past, splashing water as they leaped over the stream. Following closely behind, a wounded Yerik stumbled, its gait unsteady, accompanied by labored breaths. Two bloody holes on its flank indicated its severe injury, and it collapsed near the stream, not far from Kiri and Spider.
Aware that the creature responsible for the attack could be nearby, they remained utterly silent, slowly circling the tree to put some distance between themselves and the wounded Yerik. The sound of the Yerik's screams and desperate attempts to crawl away was agonizing. Holding their breath, they felt the ground tremble as the predator slithered around the tree, emitting a horrifying clicking noise. It seemed to possess multiple legs, given the way the ground vibrated. The Yerik let out a final scream before a sickening crunch silenced it.
Exchanging terrified glances, Spider and Kiri pressed their backs against the tree, realizing the predator was now dangerously close. They could hear its labored breathing, like soft gusts of air flowing through tubes. The creature seemed to be inspecting the lifeless Yerik, probing its body with what sounded like incisors.
Summoning their courage, Spider cautiously peered around the corner. Although he couldn't see the creature's head, he could discern its immense length. It was flat, no wider than a direhorse, but as long as a banshee with its wings fully extended. Countless legs adorned its body, sprouting from each segment.
Spider observed the fog rolling away as the creature breathed through openings on the sides of its body. His heart pounded in his chest, struggling to comprehend the sight before him. Turning to face Kiri, he found her equally terrified. She stole a quick glance, noting the creature's two long antennae and faint, pulsating glow against the shrouding fog. She fought to keep her tail still, afraid that the slightest movement could betray their presence.
They remained hidden behind the tree, desperately hoping that the creature would finish its grisly feast and move on. Its voracious appetite was evident from the crunching sounds that seemed to indicate it was devouring even the bones. Minutes dragged on, feeling like hours, until Spider's exopack beeped once again.
Panicking, Spider tried to silence the alarm, but it persisted for several more seconds. Abruptly, the creature halted its meal, and the clicking noises grew in intensity. Two long antennae, one of them missing a segment, emerged, followed by the creature's head as it started to circle the tree.
With the fog thinning, the sight that greeted them was utterly terrifying. The creature's head featured numerous pincer-like mandibles, an unsettling number of soulless eyes, and obsidian fangs dripping with blood. The mandibles scraped against each other, emitting agitated clicking noises.
Overwhelmed with fear, Kiri let out a shriek as she caught sight of its dreadful visage. She struggled to utter the words "Alta'maha," which translated to "nightmare pincers" in Na'vi or, more straightforwardly, "hell centipede" in English.
Like a periscope, the Alta'maha rose swiftly, extending its deadly, venomous mandibles and causing its massive, whip-like antennae to sway in all directions. Its wide maw, filled with rows of teeth, exuded a putrid stench of blood.
"Run!" Spider shouted, grabbing Kiri and pulling her away. They barely evaded the Alta'maha's lunge as they circled around the tree. The remains of its partially consumed prey lay exposed in plain sight.
They hurried towards the denser parts of the woods, where the fog gathered in thicker clusters. The sound of the creature's numerous legs resonated through the earth, causing tremors. In a split second, they spotted a second cave-like entrance in one of the trees and swiftly darted inside.
In the ensuing moment of deathly silence, they could hear the Alta'maha breathing just outside, accompanied by its menacing clicking sounds. Through the entrance, they caught glimpses of its luminous antennae, as if it were attempting to locate them by scent.
Kiri and Spider pressed their backs against the tree, trying to find an escape route. Kiri noticed the neural network of roots hanging from the ceiling, emitting a radiant glow. A flicker of hope sparked within her, and she grabbed her braid with her one good arm.
The Alta'maha's antennae crept closer, almost lashing Kiri as the monstrous creature squeezed through the opening. In a desperate attempt to stall it, Spider grabbed rocks and hurled them at the creature.
Suppressing her panic, Kiri focused her thoughts and established a connection with the tree. It was as if she inhabited another body, instantly sensing its roots, branches, and leaves. Ancient and unyielding.
The broad head of the Alta'maha slid halfway into the opening, its mandibles stretching forward with eager anticipation, its countless eyes fixed on its prey. Just as it prepared to strike, the tree roots surged up from the ground outside, tightly coiling around the creature's neck and pulling its head out of the opening. The beast tore the roots from the earth as it fought against their grip.
Startled, Spider looked at Kiri and witnessed her extending her palm, deep in concentration. Behind them, the roots parted, revealing an escape route.
"We must go now!" Kiri shouted, using her power to wrap as many roots as possible around the monster before relinquishing her connection with the tree.
Without a moment's hesitation, they dashed out through the alternate exit, their hearts pounding with exhaustion. They watched as the creature tore away enormous tree roots in a futile attempt to free itself. Sprinting past the deceased Yerik's body, they made their way toward the crashed helicopter, putting more distance between themselves and the sounds of the struggling Alta'maha. Finally, they collapsed near the tree, utterly drained.
Breathing heavily, Kiri asked, "Are you okay?" Her voice trembled with both exhaustion and concern as she propped herself up using her one good arm. The smell of jet fuel from the helicopter nearly made her gag again.
Spider, rising slowly, glanced at his low oxygen indicator. The combination of adrenaline and deep breaths had expedited his oxygen consumption. "Yeah," he grumbled, resisting the urge to smash the exopack.
Caution making her glance behind her, Kiri searched for any signs of the nightmarish predator but found none. "We need to replace your oxygen and leave," she urged. Hearing some noises behind her, she turned swiftly and found Spider already climbing the tree toward the helicopter.
Spider would have made a witty remark about stating the obvious, but he lacked the energy and the inclination. Climbing the tree took a toll on his already exhausted body, and even moving at half his normal pace seemed challenging. Yet, he knew that stopping meant succumbing to asphyxiation or falling into the clutches of the monster. Leaving Kiri alone was the last thing he wanted to do.
The buzzing of insects filled the air as the fog gradually enveloped the marsh once more. Several spider frogs emerged from the water's surface, their white antennae swaying as they searched for signs of danger.
Kiri concealed herself beneath the tree's roots, her gaze constantly scanning for the monster. Sweeping her eyes across the horizon and the wreckage of the helicopter, she noticed something amidst the debris. A red case with the word "EMERGENCY" inscribed on it caught her attention. Checking for any potential threats, she swiftly retrieved the case and returned to her hiding spot.
Struggling to stand, Spider let out a groan. One of the emergency oxygen exopacks was within sight in the cockpit. He braced himself for the precarious task of walking along the narrow branch to reach it. Remembering that the door was nonfunctional, he had to maneuver around the front and reach inside through the broken cockpit, causing the aircraft to shift and slide forward. Just as he managed to secure the mask and escape, the helicopter broke free from the branch and crashed onto the one below, scattering even more debris.
Kiri's heart pounded with alarm as she felt the tree tremble and heard the commotion outside. If she hadn't sought shelter beneath the tree, the falling helicopter debris could have struck her. When the noises ceased, she cautiously peered outside and called out, "Spider, are you okay?"
Relieved to hear her voice, Spider shouted back, "Yeah! I got the oxygen!" He went about the task of swapping the tanks, and a more reassuring beep confirmed the successful replacement. It was the best sound he had heard all day.
However, their momentary euphoria was short-lived. Spider's gaze fixed on the distance, where he observed the vegetation and fog parting as the colossal beast approached, drawn by the noise. Its numerous legs moved in eerie synchrony, while its antennae lashed through the air. A sinking feeling consumed Spider. "Kiri, it's coming!" he screamed.
The Alta'maha halted abruptly, lifting its front section above the vegetation and surveying above the fogline. It fixated on Spider, who had inadvertently given away their position. Its front mandibles clicked together before it descended to the ground, rapidly crawling toward the tree.
Kiri desperately sought refuge beneath the tree roots, attempting to establish a neural link like the previous tree. But this time, she struggled to find it. As the creature drew nearer, she felt the ground vibrate and heard its clicking breath, sending shivers of terror down her spine. Through the gaps in the roots, she witnessed the creature pause in front of the tree, probing the roots with its mandibles as if testing for an attack. After a few tense seconds, the creature's head was struck by a loud metallic bang.
"Up here, ugly!" Spider's voice echoed from his perch as he threw his nearly empty oxygen pack at the creature. Responding with more clicks, the Alta'maha reared its head and began scaling the tree. Each leg functioned like an ice pick, supporting its immense weight. It ascended almost as swiftly as it moved on land.
Helpless, Kiri caught glimpses of the creature's underbelly as it climbed. Unable to locate the neural queue in her panicked state, she devised another plan. Grasping one of the flares, she peered out of the exit toward a pool of aviation fuel.
The creature's weight shook the towering tree, and as it passed the helicopter, the wreckage broke free, crashing down with a deafening metallic sound. Undeterred by the obstacle, the Alta'maha persisted in its insatiable hunger. Spider knew he had mere seconds before those horrifying jaws would be upon him. Summoning his courage, he took a leap of faith and grasped a nearby vine.
Just as Kiri prepared to ignite the flare, the descending aircraft created a cloud of dust and rocks, causing her to cough and lose her bearings. Somehow, she found herself outside, disoriented and standing near the downed helicopter. The flare lay at her feet, and her heart sank as she spotted Spider lying unconscious before her.
"Spider!" Kiri rushed to his side, peering through his mask. He was breathing but motionless. She shook him vigorously, desperation creeping into her voice. "Spider, wake up! Spider!" Tears welled in her eyes as she fought against the rising panic. However, she felt helpless when she heard a sudden commotion and looked up to see the Alta'maha descending the tree. Its legs tore through the bark as it approached in a frenzied pursuit of its two intended meals.
With the excruciating pain in her own hands, Kiri attempted to lift Spider using both of her remaining limbs. When the agony proved too much, she resorted to dragging him back, clutching the flare tightly in her other hand. She managed to move him clear of the helicopter wreckage just as the monstrous creature closed in. There was no time to ignite the flare. She screamed in horror as the Alta'maha reared in front of her, mandibles poised for a strike she couldn't evade.
In that harrowing moment, thunderous gunfire erupted in the marsh, causing Kiri to instinctively cover her ears and drop the flare. Bullets struck the side of the creature's head, sending bloody fragments flying and eliciting howls of pain. More gunfire followed, forcing the Alta'maha to shield itself behind a tree. Kiri flinched as wood splintered from the impact.
The Alta'maha retreated, and Kiri lowered her hands, her ears still ringing from the noise. She turned toward the source of the gunfire and saw a pair of glowing red eyes. She instantly recognized it as the machine. The machine had targeted the Alta'maha and unleashed another volley of thunderous gunfire from its right arm. However, the creature swiftly sought refuge behind a tree, with wood fragments flying from the attack.
"Viscon interrupted. Amending sightline on target," intoned the machine before it started walking with thunderous footsteps. It walked past Kiri as if she were not even there while heading towards the crashed helicopter. The Alta'maha hid behind the nearby tree and clicked loudly as it did so, only taking brief glances as it awaited the perfect opportunity.
Kiri had no knowledge of whom the machine communicated with, but she heard Spider groan. Kneeling down beside him, she slapped his face gently. "Monkey boy! Are you awake?"
Spider's groans indicated he was fading in and out of consciousness, clearly in considerable pain. Quickly rising to her feet, Kiri started to drag him away while the machine and the creature remained occupied.
The machine's heavy footsteps crushed everything in its path as it strode through the debris field. It circled the crashed helicopter, raised its right arm, and unleashed another barrage of shots at the Alta'maha. Anticipating the attack, the creature dropped its head, allowing the bullets to strike the protective bony plate, and lunged forward, ramming into the machine with a resounding thud. The impact sent the machine hurtling backward, coming to rest near Kiri.
Kiri was taken aback by the blow, which would have been fatal for even the strongest Na'vi. To her surprise, the machine remained unfazed, standing up and continuing to fire shots. The Alta'maha climbed over the downed helicopter and charged toward the machine. Despite taking hits to unprotected areas of its head, the creature relentlessly pressed forward.
The Alta'maha emitted a feral howl as one of its eyes was struck by a bullet, but it managed to latch its mandibles onto the machine's arm, thrashing it vigorously from side to side. The machine attempted to retaliate with more shots, but its aim was obstructed by the hold of the Alta'maha.
Stuck in the midst of the fight, Kiri narrowly avoided being crushed by the Alta'maha and succeeded in pulling Spider to safety. It was then that she noticed an opportunity. The flare she had dropped earlier lay on the ground.
With a resounding thud, the Alta'maha slammed the machine into a tree, causing the arm to emit metal groans as if it were on the verge of being torn from its socket.
Kiri swiftly retrieved the flare and ignited it without hesitation. The massive bulk of the Alta'maha partially covered the helicopter wreckage, and she sprinted toward it. The machine tried to shoot, but its bullets struck the tree instead.
Locating a puddle of jet fuel, Kiri hurled the flare into it. A colossal column of flames erupted, reaching skyward and nearly scorching her in the process. The Alta'maha let out a deafening roar, releasing the machine and pushing off the chopper as the flames seared its underbelly. It thrashed about in an attempt to extinguish the fire, turning its attention toward Kiri with a menacing snarl.
Slowly backing away from the monstrous creature, Kiri was startled when the machine swiftly moved up to the Alta'maha, positioning its right arm over one of its eyes and firing six shots at point-blank range. The fierce, flaming beast ceased its movements, lying still on the ground as the burning fuel illuminated the surroundings.
After a few moments of eerie silence, the machine spoke. "Primary target eliminated."
Kiri had to agree as the creature ceased breathing. Her attention quickly shifted to Spider, who remained unconscious but safe for the time being. As she heard mechanical footsteps, she turned and gulped. It was the first time she had made direct eye contact with the machine since their encounter began, and the bloody head of the slain beast stood between them.
Observing the machine's damaged arm, Kiri couldn't help but ask, "Are you... hurt?"
The machine stared at her and replied, "Damage condition is rated at delta seven," while moving closer. Sparks flickered from its upper right arm socket as it shifted its damaged limb slightly. "Why did you assist me in combat?"
Kiri took a half-step back, unsure of the machine's intentions, and made sure to maintain some distance. "I wasn't helping you," she growled, briefly checking on Spider again. "I was saving my friend."
The machine ceased its advance, fixing its gaze on Spider. "What purpose does that serve?"
Kiri positioned herself between the machine and Spider, asserting, "He's my friend. This isn't about him. Why are you here?"
"The primary threat had to be contained and terminated," the machine replied.
Kiri instinctively tugged at her sling. "Now, are you going to leave?"
The machine analyzed her for a few seconds. "I require your assistance."
Kiri found herself perplexed by the statement. "For what?"
"Repair and maintenance are required," the machine stated, sparks continuing to emit from its damaged arm as it moved.
"Do I look like a mechanic to you?" Kiri bluntly responded, her attention returning to Spider. She hoped the machine would depart soon so they could make their escape.
"My navigation system is compromised," the machine replied, taking several disconcerting steps closer. They were so near that Kiri could smell the scent of black powder and see the smoke emanating from its arm-mounted machine gun, just like in her nightmares.
Kiri swallowed nervously and took a half-step back. "I can't simply bring you there. You'll be attacked."
"I am prepared for hostile encounters," the machine declared.
Kiri shivered and averted her gaze. "And I am not," she murmured, fully aware of the machine's capabilities despite its injuries. However, she also knew that she wouldn't be alive if the machine hadn't intervened. It was a strange mix of gratitude and fear that washed over her.
Sighing, Kiri began backing up toward Spider. "Why can't we bring you what you need here instead?"
"Negative, this location poses an alpha threat level," the machine responded, its attention momentarily shifting to the deceased Alta'maha. Flames from the burning fuel continued to illuminate the sky.
Kiri knelt down next to Spider, who remained unconscious but still breathed. "My friend is injured, and I can't carry him," she stated with annoyance, fully aware that her arm was in a sling due to the machine's actions. "If you carry him, I will show you a spot where I can meet you later with the necessary parts. But you can't follow me any farther. Understand?"
The machine stared at her once again. "I calculate a high probability of deception."
Kiri rested her hand on Spider's chest and mouthed a quiet plea in Na'vi, "{Ewya, please watch over my friend}," before looking back at the machine. "I am not human. Our people value our word."
"You are not, but the male is," the machine replied.
"He is my friend. He won't say a word about this if I tell him," Kiri insisted, looking up at the machine.
"Terminating him would resolve any unforeseen issues," the machine suggested, raising its sparking arm as if preparing to fire.
Kiri shielded her friend protectively. "If you kill us, my parents will find our bodies and hunt you until there's nothing left. They could already be on their way. So make your choice: kill us and gain nothing, or let me help you."
The machine glanced at the fiery blaze that illuminated the sky, its reflection shimmering on its silvery face, before returning its gaze to Kiri. "What assurance do I have of your assistance?"
Kiri straightened up and removed her mother's pendant from around her neck, holding it out to the machine. "If you possess data on my people, then you know that when I offer a memento and my word, I must keep my promise."
The machine observed the pendant. "Data inconclusive," it stated. "All relevant data on the Na'vi that I possess is combat-related."
"Had I wanted to kill you, I would have allowed the hell centipede to finish you," Kiri remarked, still holding out the pendant. "And you would have already killed us."
"I have no use for that object," the machine replied, pausing for a moment. "But I calculate a slightly lower probability of deception."
Though the rejection stung, Kiri felt she had made some progress. "So, you will carry my friend, tell me what you need, and I will bring it to you?"
The machine maintained its gaze. "Affirmative."
Authors Note: Chapter was updated on 6/8/2023
