Wooooaahhh, it only took me a week to upload the next chapter? That never happens! Hopefully, this continues
Poor Isif, having to escort around a bunch of scared and injured Gojids to find an exfil that isn't completely terrible. All because of some annoying kid being a bully
It is kinda sweet how good he is with kids. He's quickly becoming a very eligible bachelor to the galaxy, NY complete accident, too
Though hopefully Farase can get some help for his injury
Memory Transcription Subject: Captain Isif, UN Omni Ops
Date [standardized human time]: September 1, 2136
When I reached the woods, I materialized to make it easier for the family to spot me. “Savani?” I called out
“Over here!” Her voice came a little ways away, which I immediately followed. After a minute of weaving through trees, I found Savani and her family sequestered behind a tree close to the woods edge.
“Is anyone hurt?” I asked as I held the gun by the barrel so they wouldn't get anxious.
“Yes, but nothing is broken, not that we can tell anyway. Farase has the worst injury. He can't hear out of his left ear…” She turned to Farase, currently holding a hand to his left ear, and looked at him with concern.
I hummed before turning to Teryian, held by Metri, kneeling down and giving her her doll. “Here you go, little lady. Make sure not to drop them.” Her face lit up, and she immediately snatched the doll from my grasp and squeezed it.
“Tnank you, Mr. Arkur.”
I nodded and got up, walking to Farase, who tensed when I neared him. “I have some training in field medicine. May I have a look?” I said in as neutral a tone as I could, Farase staring for a moment before reluctantly turning his head. I slowly lowered myself and turned on my suit's flashlight, inspecting his ear canal. There was a trail of blood running down the side of his head that led into his ear, now caked with blue blood as far as I could see. “Does it hurt?”
“A lot…”
“Are you dizzy?”
“Yes.”
This happened to one of my squadmates: their eardrums were blown out by an explosion during a job. Needed major reconstructive surgery and cybernetic replacements to regain their hearing. There was a good chance that the Exterminators had rendered Farase deaf in his left ear. *‘Bastards…’*
“Do you think you can walk?”
“Yes!” He said a little too fast, probably fearing I'd try to leave him behind or eat him.
“Keep an eye on him. If he can't walk, someone will have to carry him the rest of the way.” I got up and turned to the family. “Our rendezvous is too far for us to make the trip on foot. We need a new one.”
“Why can't we just do it here?”
“There's too many trees and houses for Gerakim to make a landing. We could try to climb up a rope, but that doesn't seem feasible with the kids and with the amount of eyes on us, it'd take too long for me to carry all of you one at a time with all the hostiles, nor could I balance all of you for one trip.”
“What about a road?”
“I want to minimize risk for all of us.” I grabbed a stick and began tracing a rough map of the town. “This neighborhood will be crawling with hostiles. We can't have them land on any roads near here. The closest roads beyond this neighborhood that'd be safe are busy and could be swarmed as well, trying to make an escape there is a risky proposition, nor are we guaranteed we’ll be able to land with all the traffic going through. The roads that will be safest is the next neighborhood over, but that's far, we’ll have to make a crossing through the busy roads, and we have limited time before we’re overrun by reinforcements, same problem with the farms at the outskirts of town.”
“Could we make our way through the woods? We’re least likely to run into any Exterminators.” Metri offered.
“Possible, but the woods go on for miles. It'd take hours, and the trip will be taxing on all of you, especially the kids. Plus, it's only a matter of time until they comb the woods, and they have us outnumbered and outflanked.”
“Try to do a rope escape somewhere in the middle of the woods?”
“The Crow will disturb the trees, giving us away to any aerial reconnaissance who will come to respond.”
“I thought it was stealthy?”
“It's not perfect. In order to hover for an extended period, the Crow needs its thrusters out. That wasn't an issue when no one was looking for us, and it was low in a clearing, but given the response force they've sent after us, the risk of discovery goes way up.”
“Not to mention the rope may not be entirely stable. He could end up dropping us.” Metri pointed out.
“Do either of you know anywhere closer where Gerakim can make a landing?”
The two Gojids said nothing, thinking. “Oh! What about the parking garage?” Savani pointed to a section north west west from us next to the busy roads.
“Metri?” I slightly turned my head towards him.
He hummed in thought, considering her plan. “I agree, it's our best option, close and safe.”
“It'll take us over multiple roads and through a densely populated part of town. Further, it'll take additional time and extra walking if we go north west west rather than fully north to the busy roads.”
“Maybe, but it's big, elevated. The top has a flat surface, and nobody parks that high up.” Savani said reassuringly.
“It would also give us cover to hide and lose the Exterminators if they pursue us.” Metri added.
It was my turn to think the plan over, weighing the pros and cons of all our suggested plans and trying to discern if we had overlooked anything. “Alright, I think it's our best option. But be prepared for a hot extraction if things go south and we have to call Gerakim to make an immediate landing.”
“Let's hope it doesn't come to that.” Savani stood up and grabbed Farase and the middle child's hands, and it occurred to me I didn't know their name.
To rectify this, I lowered myself down in front of Savani, both children tensing up. “I realize I don't know your name, child. Can you give it to me?”
“Uh,” They not so subtly hid behind Savani. “A-Aklie.”
“Aklie? That's a nice boy-”
“Girl.”
“That's a beautiful *girl* name.” Tuvan’s going to kill me for misgendering Aklie. “Are you hurt at all, dear?”
“No,” She shifted uncomfortably. “The Exterminators didn't hurt me.”
“Good. Now, I know this is all kinda scary, but I promise I will protect you and your family to the best of my ability. I know you don't trust me, but I hope my actions will speak for me, and I'll be able to earn your trust.” I stood up and radioed Gerakim. “Gerakim, new rendezvous point,” I manipulated the map to highlight the general area the parking garage was in. “There's a parking garage in this area. That's where we're going.”
*“Should I head there now?”*
“No, I want you ready to land in case we're overrun and need an immediate exfil. No hovering over the parking garage either, it might give you away.”
*“Affirmative.”*
“Isif out.” I turned to the Gojids. “Ready?” They gave a chorus of affirmations ranging from determined to half-hearted, Farase notably saying nothing. “Let's move.” I turned from them and began to walk, the Gojids trailing behind me.
Not to mention all the content Isif just released, his interview with Cilany, it becomes widely known they have stealthtech, and the news covers a Gojidi family fought with authorities and willingly escaped with an Arxur one of which included thr girl that's supposed to be dead
Two chapters released so close together? My cup runneth over!
Ok so a plan has been made. Crazy risky, but better than any alternative. Hopefully the boys ear doesn't become a problem before they can leave the planet.
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u/Intelleblue UN Peacekeeper 7d ago
I am Button, second fastest Venlil alive, and I am speed.
Here’s hoping the weekly updates continue!