The horses galloped, they had traveled about two kilometers and the metal box, now looking a lot more like a spacecraft had begun its final descent towards the surface, in twenty minutes it would be exposed to the wild.
“How is it possible, they were able to get something like that up into space without anyone noticing?” Asked Tyson.
“You have a lot of money; you work for NASA and any other space agencies. Then you have something big occur which everyone would be watching. Plus, with how bad it was before the reset telescopes wouldn’t see a thing unless they were a powerful as the scientific ones.” Responded Colton.
“How are you so sure about this, or even know?”
“I just do, okay.”
Tyson nodded not wanting to be attacked by his Commander.
The team moved across the plain and through the woods, it was quiet, very quiet. Almost as if every living creature in the area knew something big was about to occur. Thermal vision remained unchanged, the only heat signatures being picked up were their own. Something was definitely wrong.
“Commander, where are all of the monster. I was looking forward to a nice hunt tonight?” Called out a marksman from a cart.
“I don’t know, this isn’t natural. Keep on guard, for all we know they’re going exactly where we are.”
“What about that Drakin, there’s supposedly one out here.” Called another soldier.
“The Stalkers never run from predators when they can hide from them, and Ravengers are smart enough to run like hell when a situation is bad for them. Besides if that oversized lizard was out here, it would be glowing like a bon fire.”
“You sure about that?”
“Reports on the creature from those who survived said it defended itself with burning hot skin and tough scales. Something generating such heat wouldn’t be able to remain invisible from the thermals it would be impossible!”
“So is a Reset on earth Commander!”
“Solider, there is nothing to fear right now. We’re watching all angles and that thing is too big to get the jump on us like that.”
“He’s got a point there.”
They continued their movement, still the wild was silent, even the music of the trees played by the wind ceased tonight. The moon paved the path for them as they accelerated their approach. No need to be cautious if there’s nothing lurking in wait.
As they made their final approach, a loud crash was heard sounding through the wilderness, the ship had landed. In an instant the wilderness began to roar with noise, everything could be heard. Archers prepared themselves as the warriors did, Tyson drew his blade and Colton prepared an arrow.
In an instant a roaring group of Ravengers charged from behind. Their exoskeleton like bodies trotting quickly, their sharp tails moving swiftly back and forward and their sharp back spines sticking right up.
Arrows began soaring towards their pack, most connected slaying the beasts but for the ones who made it past that, a blade waited with their names on it.
The hounds charged furiously, yet they were no match for the army whose blades took them out with ease. Then without warning a second group came in, heading towards them from the front.
Colton drew three arrows, and released them quickly. Each one connected perfectly with the heads of their targets. One leapt towards him and his horse, it gracefully moved into the air baring its fangs coming in for the kill which was quickly denied by Tyson blade slashing it down. Colton looked to him and nodded, then fired three more arrows, slaying the packs last members.
More packs moved in trying to get the best of them, but by now the group was prepared for these and struck them down. In total only five soldiers were lost, a low number yet still hard in a time like this.
The dog’s instincts kicked in as a last wave prepared its attack, they then halted their approach and turned back to the forest for tonight, they had lost this one.
The party roared triumphantly and made its approach towards the ship, it came into view, the area a leveled plain with the elevation brought in the hill which stood behind it. Its hull looked damage, the bottom a bit worse for sure and few holes in the hull but for the most part it was intact.
As they came closer, thermal vision picked up several heat sources. A humanoid looking like it was crawling out of the ship and twelve Stalkers with a thirteenth on top of the ship standing tall and looking at the army.
“We got camos, prepare arrows and-“ Colton stopped his speech when he saw a man crawl from the wreckage.
He looked no older than he was, clothed in some sort of jumpsuit, holding what appeared to be a gun. “Hey, where here! Come on we need some help in there!” He shouted loudly.
The one on top of the ship jumped down and stood to the man’s side looking at the odd creature standing before him, it had seen humans but not like this.
“Can you make the shot?” Tyson asked as they slowed their approach.
“No, but I have an idea.” Colton responded handing the man his archery equipment. He then kicked his horse to speed up which it did so willingly. As he reached the center of the area surrounded by Stalkers, he stood up on the horse, then launched himself high into the air. He flipped, landed on the other side of the man.
“Hi, you should duck, now!” Colton told the man seeing the creature preparing its attack.
“But who are you and what’s with the medi-“
“I said duck!” Colton swept the man off his feet and slipped to the ground as the humanoid lunged over them. He then drew his daggers and jabbed the creature’s chest, its invisibility faded away as it landed on the ground. It’s large head crying out in pain before dying.
The other man looked at him shocked, “What the hell is that thing?”
Colton got up to his feet and watched two more approached, he remained still waiting then struck. “That is a Stalker!” He stated kicking one in the neck while slashing the others leg. “They’re a group of creatures who hunt in groups,” he continued ending the one on its knees and then quickly finishing the other. “They’re a pain in the ass, hunt with the ability of full invisibility unless striking or being struck. If they’re bleeding then they can’t turn invisible.”
“What year is this?”
Another three charged, “About 2084, it just doesn’t show it.” He stated doing a wide slash, revealing the invisible threats then ending their lives as well.
“How, we were only sent up there in 2056. This isn’t earth.”
“Yes it is, it just went through an extreme makeover!” Colton dodged then struck another creature down. “How old are you?”
“Same as the entire crew, 27, you?”
Five charged towards them, this time throwing away the stealth realizing it wasn’t working. Colton launched his daggers into the air and sent throwing knives in, two for each, he then caught the blades from the sky and turned to face the man. Removing his goggles. “Same as you.”
The man smiled, then quickly picked up his gun and shot it behind him. The last Stalker fell lifeless with plasma burns across it.
“Nice shot, oh and by the way. We’re here to rescue you.” Stated Colton smiling.
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