MY PAST – PART 2

The hike towards the closest crash side took us longer than expected. The first hurdle came with having to find a save way of the cliffs, which considering the recruit's and my injuries was not the easiest of tasks. But even with my usual grumpiness, I had to admit, that us crashing had one good thing going for it. The view from up here was simply amazing. The forest stretched for kilometres without end.

The entire area was vibrant green as far as the eye could see. Thanks to the early hours a light fog was sticking to the treetops. The entire scene was made even more fantastical by the few mountains and green hills that poked out of the thicket. I only wished I could see it with more than one eye... still, even so, it brought back memories I had long repressed.

Back in my teenage years, I had loved hiking. My home planet Picarus One had been a paradise for any kind of nature exploration. Its low gravity, high tectonic activity and far above earth levels of rainfall had lead to an impressive almost fantastical geology covered in massive vast stretching forests. Together with my father I had spent weeks at times out in nature climbing and wandering across yet uncharted areas.

Thinking back to it, those days had probably been the happiest time of my life. Once we had been asked in school what we wanted to do when we grew up. I had answered with “Becoming an Adventurer”. And now? Now I was a professional killer for hire, my adventures were merely legalized piracy and my discoveries turned out to be seized cities and rebelling natives. How life could change from what our childish minds imagined. With a frown on my face, I turned away from the sight. For the moment I had other problems.

While it had taken us almost half an hour of climbing and sliding, we had finally made it close to the forest ground. At one point Serin had almost fallen down while exploring a small outcropping. Different from me he had grown up one of the urban world from the earliest planet rush. Most of his youth he had to spend in one of their massive cities reading adventure novels, making him a bit rusty in anything regarding nature.

But to be fair while even with one eye I was still a much better climber than him, there was no doubt in my mind that he was far better educated than me. At times he could spend hours immersed deeply absorbed in his ever-growing collection of books or silently stare at nature documentaries. I'd rather spend my free time training or doing sports than sitting around but to each their own I guess.

My thoughts were interrupted by a stinging pain from my head. With each step down the small slope, we used to descend the pain grew worse. By the time we had reached the bottom my dizziness had increased so much that I had a hard time staying upright. My vision grew worse with each second; already it was almost impossible to focus on the path before me.

“Hold . . .”

“Crys? Everything alright?”

“No, stop!”

The pain and vertigo had gotten so worse that even staying upright was akin to torture. By now I had realized that without proper medical care it would soon enough no longer matter that I had survived the bullet to my head. I may not have been the most well-read person but I had almost ten years of experience on the battlefield. A headshot, dizziness, vertigo and nausea... that sounded very much like brain swelling. Another wave of nausea overwhelmed me and I pressed my one eye shut, to reduce the overstimulation.

“Crys! Fuck, take off the helmet! You need to breathe!"

“Something is... wrong... Serin . . .”

. . .

. . . I took one long deep breath and opened my eyes again. I was looking once more at the forest. A forest that seemed almost as ancient as the planet itself. Massive trees the size of skyscrapers growing around high towering stone monuments. In some places, the vegetation had grown so strong that instead of the ground holding the trees, there were entire rocks and boulders raised high into the air by branches and roots with a diameter of meters. No matter how often I looked at it I still loved it every time. If only I could stay here forever.

“Sis! Where are you? You promised to not to leave me behind!”

“It is okay… I'm right here.”

Turning around I went back the way I came. I slung my rifle over one shoulder, grabbed on to a low hanging branch and began vaulting up to the ridge I had jumped down from before. Having been born on Picarus, traversing these ancient forests had become second nature to me. But I still prided myself in just how much time I spend outside in the wilderness. I was certain no one knew these woods quite as well as me, not my father, and especially not my sister.

“Ah!” I dropped from a branch right before Cassy. “Mama said you shouldn't scare me anymore!”

“Yeah, yeah…” I scratched the back of my head. I hadn't even intended to scare her; it was simply the fast way up.

“Also Mama said that people have to stay close together in the forest!”

I was still looking around the brush, earlier I had seen the tracks of a cracklion, a native catlike predator. While most of them stayed away from the human settlements, there had been cases of lone wanderers or children being attacked. In a normal situation, a few noisemakers or a signal flare could keep them at bay but recently there had been rumours of a crazed man-killer in the surrounding villages. If it truly was one I would have to take care of it before it became a serious problem. As I didn't see any more tracks I turned my attention back to the litter annoyance next to me.

“Really? Did she now? Because if I recall correctly I knew exactly where you were and also was still able to hear you. Does that not mean I was close by?”

"I- I guess so! But still, you left me alone! So, anything could have happened! For example, a cracklion could have attacked me! Or I could have been taken by the bayujie!”

“Ugh, how often do I have to tell you there is no such thing as a bayujie. That is simply a story to scare kids. Now-”

“Not true! Dickon Greyser said he has seen one with his own eyes!” My sister interrupted me before I could even finish.”

“Hmph, Dick is nothing more than a drunk, a pervert and an idiot.”

“You only say that because he asked you out and you rejected him like all the other men! Gracie told me the people say you’re a lesbo because you and Amanda always hang out and she is a lesbo too!” She stretched her tongue out as if to mock me.

I, on the other hand, turned around and grabbed her by both ears and pulled her face towards mine. "Now listen closely you little twerp, what Amanda and I do in our free time is our thing and ours alone! I swear by the Ancients, next time some fuck is going on about colonizing the planet and that all must contribute, I gonna punch their stupid fucking face in! So you better shut your mouth right fucking now! Understood!?”

With this, I pushed her away. It was already bad enough that half the village was gossiping about me and Amy, my sister should know better than to join in on the shit. Yet much to my peril, instead of sucking it up and apologising, like a good little kid, she began to cry. Unsure as to what I should do, I tried getting closer but Cassidy only jumped back and showed me the middle finger.

“I hate you! You're mean and a lesbo and everyone hates you! You're the worst sister ever!!!”

Before I could hold on to her she turned tail and ran off into the thick undergrowth.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“For Fuck’s sake! Cassidy! Hold on!”

As quick as I possibly could I ran after her. I vaulted over rocks and roots and used the braches to catapult me forwards quicker. But no matter how fast I went, Cassidy had grown up around these woods too and with her small stature and squirrely body she could easily reach places I never would and so she quickly left me behind. Still, I had no intention of giving up; there was no telling as to what could happen to a lone girl in the forest rife with danger.

After a few minutes, I saw no more of her and had to rely on the tracks her stormy escape had left behind. I wasn’t all that worried about catching up to her, she didn’t train as much as one had to on a low gravity planet and so her stamina was shit, also I was ten years older and far more experienced. For a brief moment I thought about letting her stay alone for an hour or two but that dark idea was quickly shattered when I heard a girly scream a short distance in front of me.

“Fuck! Cassy! Stay where you are I’m coming for you!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping that she had heard me.

Before I could even see her I already heard the sounds. A deep feral growl accompanied by the fizzle of a signal torch. I rushed forward with all of my determination, no longer caring if I scratched my skin open or if my hair got caught in the twigs. If I was right about this and I hoped I wasn't, then my little sister was in serious trouble!

Finally, after what felt like hours but must have been only a minute or two I crashed through the thicket surrounding a small clearing. One of the massive aeon-trees had fallen either due to age or during one of the storms that ravaged Picarius so often. In turn, it had created not only a large breach in the forest but also ripped open a deep underground cave system. Only I couldn't care less because at the moment my sister was cowering between several entwined roots and an adult cracklion was trying to get to her!

“Hey! HEY!” I tried to get the attention of the terrifying predator to no avail.

Seeing my plan fail I ripped the rifle from my shoulder. As I was still in a full run, there was absolutely no way that my shot would hit. And even if it did, there was a good chance that I would only wound the creature making it angry and desperate, well more than it already was. But still, I had to get it away from my sister and focus on me.

Running straight at it I set the stock against my shoulder took quick aim and fired. The Cracklion flinched, yowled and jumped back. For a second I thought I had hit but the seething rage-filled eyes looking my way told me differently. These beasts were clever enough to disassemble traps, I was certain that it knew the danger of my loud stick, but still, it didn't back down!

No matter, I had to protect Cassy! Already rushing towards the two I did something the beast didn’t expect, instead of levelling my gun at it again or running to my sister I ran straight at the big alien. With all my meagre bodyweight I slammed my shoulder into its side.

The camo-fatigues I was wearing did little to protect my skin from the impact. But the creature too had nothing but soft fur to protect it; if I was going to die today at least I knew I had bruised a Cracklion. Together we went down in a heap of clothes and fur, the animal was unquestionably more massive than I was and so I had to act quickly.

In our tumble, I had lost my rifle. But as it was only a short distance from where I had landed, I started crawling towards it. Before I even made it a meter, something heavy pounced on my back. Not sparing me a second the predator went for my throat. Seeing this coming I jerked to the side. I didn’t avoid the massive jaws but at least they only got my shoulder. I cried out in pain when the teeth penetrated cloth, skin, muscle and even bone. With my left arm almost numb from the pain I used my other to punch it repeatedly in its snout.

The animal may not have a nose but the rows of pit organs along its front were sensible enough to provide a good punching target. As I had expected – or rather hoped – once I started to seriously hurt the Cracklion it released my shoulder and jumped off of me. With one quick motion, I turned around to face it.

If didn’t knew better I would have almost said that it was weighing its chances. The predator took one look at me, then at the caves and back to me before settling on the gun that was almost in my reach. For some reason, I made the stupid decision of following the creatures glance. It was like a switch had been flipped, as soon as it had realized the danger coming from me it had decided to end me.

There was no way by the Ancients that I could reach my gun in time. Already the Cracklion had closed the distance between us in two leaps. Its massive paws pushed me down and its jaws opened up before my face... and they also closed before it! Seeing as I couldn’t reach the gun I had slipped my combat knife from my belt and had rammed into its lower jaw. It wasn’t enough to kill it but for now, I hadn't been mutilated.

Still struggling against the overwhelming muscles of the beast I screamed towards Cassy.

“The gun! Shoot it, Cassy!”

“I- I can’t I’m scared!”

The Cracklion’s long claws ripped my vest to shreds and began digging into my skin. “And I’m dead if you don’t do it! Shoot it now! That is an order!”

“Ahh!!!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Cassy emerge from her hidey-hole and grab the rifle. She knew how to use it, all of our kids knew that because if they didn’t they could easily end up dead. Now all she had to do was actually use that knowledge. She was almost there but never had she shoot at a living target before and especially not one so massive and deadly. All she needed was a push... and so I pushed her.

Gasping in pain and still wrestling the beast on top of me I looked her dead in the eyes. “Do it or will burn your happy unicorn pillow! SHOOT!”

“I hate you!” The gun went off. Something wet and warm splashed across my face and all of a sudden it felt as if the weight on top of me had suddenly multiplied.

“Oof!” The air was almost completely pushed out of my lungs.

“Heavy bastard.” With all the power I had left I pushed the Cracklion’s corpse off me and stood in front of my still shaking sister.

“You did good Cassy, Dad would be proud.”

Cassy looked up and stretched out her middle finger. “Fuck you!”

I only grinned and did the same. “Fuck you too kid.”

For a moment she looked at me blankly before suddenly the corner of her mouth twitched upwards. In a manner of seconds, her hopelessly suppressed giggles turned into full out childish laughter. I didn't interfere and instead went to the equipment box I had chucked away before tackling the Cracklion and opened it. In it mostly medical equipment and rations but deep down in the cooling compartment, I had hidden a little surprise.

Before Cassy could recover from her panic and adrenalin induced laughter, I had already stripped out of my rendered stab-vest and the destroyed top of my fatigues. The wounds were deep and painfully but none had managed to hit anything too vital. I took off my tank top and winced when I realise that not only was my shoulder mangled but one of the paws had dug its claws deep into my left boob.

After I finished dressing my wounds, with not a small amount of pain and more wincing, I finally walked back towards Cassidy. In my hands, I held the same price that my father had given me after proving myself in his eyes. My deeds had only earned his respect with eleven so in a way Cassy was breaking a new record. Still, I cared little if she was elven or nine, she had saved my life today and I had saved hers.

“Here, drink.” I handed her the cold can.

“What the- Are you serious!? Mama said I'm not allowed to drink until I'm sixteen!”

“So what, I have tasted beer my first time with eleven and your only one and half years younger, so there is no harm done. Also, you did prove yourself more than enough today, so in my opinion, it is okay to make a small exception."

Almost shoving the beer can into Cassidy’s hands I sat down next to her.

“You know what is weird... That Cracklion was unnaturally aggressive. I thought it was sick at first but looking at it from up-close I’m sure it isn’t. So why did it attack you and after you held a signal torch in its faces of all things?”

“Huh? How should I know! I just stumbled in here and it was all roar and growl!” Glancing away unsure she took a sip of her drink and immediately grimaced. “Eww! It’s so bitter and weird! How can you adults even drink this!”

“Hehe~, I reacted the same way, so I suspect you won’t want to drink it again for a while.”

I looked back to the Cracklion before us and got curious. There had to be a reason for it to attack us so viciously. Even though my muscles screamed in pain I got up again and kneeled down next to it. After a quick look over of the corpse, I was certain of it. The animal had been a nursing female. A sigh escaped me as the realisation washed over me; we had just killed a mother that had only been protecting its young. Now was only the question as to what we should do about

“Hey, do you want to see cracklion babies?”

“WOAH! You mean little kittens!?" Almost immediately the scare from before was forgotten and my sister's eyes shone brightly.

“Sure. They are probably down in the caves.”

After making sure that our equipment was properly hidden away, I looked down into the caves. They were surprisingly roomy but still, while a cracklion might have been able to easily traverse them I had no intention of just jumping down there. So instead I took out the climbing equipment from Cassidy’s pack and began making a climbable way down. One end I wrapped around one of the “smaller” roots, they were still thicker than my thighs and that was saying something.

Being satisfied and certain that it would hold even our combined weight, Cassy and I began making knots into the rope we would use to climb down. Normally that would not be needed but for one she wasn’t the strongest and two I was seriously injured, so it would be saver if there was something to hold on to. About twenty minutes later we were finally finished and began our descent down into the darkness.

I had Cassy go ahead as she was most interested in finding out what lay down below. When she reached the bottom though she did what she had done so many times before, she ran off.

“Cassy wait up!”

Before I could reach the bottom I heard a loud gasp from inside the cave. Fearing that she had once more gotten herself into trouble I dropped down the last two meters. I ignored the pain in my left side and instead rushed after Cassy. Curiously I found her pretty quickly, intensively staring at something.

“Cassy! I told you . . . to . . . wait . . . Woah . . .”

“Sis, what is this?”

“That- That is an Ancient ruin!”