“And now you will cost many of those same individuals their lives.”
“This is no way to live. We are not savages. They can cure us. We can make things better,” Bayek challenged.
“You forget yourself. You do not decide for the rest of us. You’ve risked all of our lives on something you know nothing about, on people you know nothing about.” After a moment’s hesitation he said, “Tie them both up and keep an eye on them,” Weston ordered.
When they walked away from the village center, Bishop asked Weston what would be done with them.
“We will release them on the rim this evening.”
“Release them,” he asked in surprise.
“They have proved they cannot be trusted and are of no value to us. Releasing them is the worst thing that could be done.”
The reality of that judgment had more meaning for Bishop when the time came. He walked with the group as the two men were escorted to the rim. He remembered his own banishment and the environment that awaited him. Bayek had pleaded continuously while they made the ascent. Peterson did not understand this and appeared relived that he had an opportunity to make it back to the mountain.
Their bonds were removed, and they were pointed away from the valley warned not to return under punishment of death. Bayek took one last look at the people he had fought beside for his own survival then turned to walk away. When they were too far away to be heard, Peterson told him not to be worried about exposure, when they reached the mountain, they would be treated for any contamination.
“I’m not worried about contamination. I am one of the few who is not affected by it,” Bayek said sullenly.
“Then what are you worried about. We got away. At least you will be safe now. They are the ones who will have to face the consequences.”
“How often have you been out here at night?”
“Last night was the first time. Why?”
“We will never make it,” Bayek said with finality.
“I’ll look after you doc,” the young soldier said.
Bayek turned and looked at his companion. It would soon be dark enough that they would have to remain very close so as not to lose each other along the way. The cloud cover that evening made it nearly impossible for the ambient light of the moon to penetrate. Bayek knew the wounds on the soldier were suppurating. He also had blood on his clothing. He was afraid to remain with him, but terrified of being alone.
A few hours later, they stopped for their first break. Peterson was weary from his wound, and Bayek was not physically fit to begin with. They kept their conversation light, and were curious as to how the other had survived as they did. When they started off again, it was not long until they both heard a noise, in fact several noises. They looked around the nearby area for sticks sturdy enough to defend themselves. Those clubs provided a small measure of security. The cloud cover was breaking slightly, and a full moon could be seen. When it was clear that whatever was ‘out there’ was now closer, the two men moved ahead cautiously. Before they could move any further, the large beast was directly in front of them.
“Jesus Christ. What the hell is that thing,” the soldier asked while clutching his club.
“Rock Wolf,” Bayek replied.
“Wolf hell, it’s as big as a bear.”
“I wish it was a bear. Then there would only be one of them,” Bayek said.
As soon as he said this, the younger man noticed the golden eyes of other wolves moving in to surround them. They were well beyond the hearing distance of those in the valley. Their screams went unheard by any man, only to be lost on the beasts who hunted them.
Twenty men went out, four were presumed dead, and three more suffered from exposure. The after action report was made upon their return to the staging area. It was then relayed to Director Bishop. He had been going over the report, and the information they obtained from their captive several days prior. He did not think they had been lied to. It was more than likely a matter of the professor not being aware of much outside of his responsibilities. Some men fought, others taught.
There was no longer any reason for stealth. Lives had been lost and there was a chance that their source had been discovered. There was no question that they needed and were going to gain control of the valley. It was just a matter of when and how. He remembered that his son’s former assistant, in the security department, was also a former soldier in special operations. He made the call. A few minutes later, Ronald Wallace was shown into the director’s office. The two men shook hands before taking their seats.
“So how is work treating you Mr. Wallace?”
“We’re not very busy, but I could think of worse things to do, sir.”
“Well, not being busy in your line of work is a good thing,” Frank Bishop said with a friendly smile.
Wallace returned the smile wondering exactly what he was doing here, and how much small talk they would go through before he found out. It turned out to be very little.
“Did you enjoy your time in Special Forces? Have you ever participated in hostile action?”
“Yes sir, both.”
“What would you say if I needed you to do something like that again?”
“Sir?” Wallace asked in confusion.
“You know we have a small detachment from your department operating in the staging area right?”
“Yes sir.”
“They have encountered life on the outside. We knew there would be those who survived the event, but not how many, and in what condition they would be in,” Frank Bishop said capturing his full attention. “Last night, sixteen men, out of a twenty man team, returned from a mission in an attempt to reach out to one such group. Four are presumed dead, and three more are incapacitated for the time being.”
“Jesus,” Wallace said in surprise.
“We tried to extend a hand in peace, but were met with violence. It is our determination now to, a. exact retribution, b. gain a presence into the area they hold, and c. to ensure their belligerence is quelled. We need someone of your training and talents to accomplish this. Would you be willing to do it?”
“Yeah, I mean, yes sir. I would need to know everything about them, including the type of terrain they control.”
“They are to the south of here almost a full day’s ride in the ATV’s using spare batteries. There are an estimated eight hundred and fifty people living in a valley several hundred feet below ground level,” Director Bishop cited from memory. “It is estimated that about four hundred or so are able to put up any kind of organized resistance. They are armed with primitive weapons such as swords, spears, and bows. But, they also know the area well and used fire effectively on our team yesterday.”
He stood and motioned for Wallace to follow him to a nearby table. “Here is a rough drawing of the area. There are only three places where the valley can be penetrated, or so I was told. Here, here, and here,” he said as he pointed on the map.
“The Eastern, and most limited entrance, was tried already. I don’t think it would be wise to use that approach again, and it is only manned by a small force. The entrance on the West would extend the capacity of our re-breathing systems beyond effectiveness. That leaves us with the North entrance. I’m told the village below it is called Mezzo.” He continued, “If we take that territory, we can set up a secondary staging area, go to the East and remove their outpost. We could gain control of half of the valley within one day.”
“What about dealing with exposure once we are there? Won’t we have to come right back,” Wallace asked.
“No. The valley is what we call a ‘safe zone.’ When the event happened, the planet shifted its axis. One of the side effects was in creating areas like this, which are protected by an electromagnetic field. When you get there, it will look like you stepped back in time. You will be able to remove your protective suits and breathe freely in the valley”
“I don’t get it. Why would they attack us for no reason? Can’t they see that we are the same as them?”
“I don’t know. All I know is what happened. Do you think you can do it?”
