The Maxa’xak would try to escape. It’s what they did since the first time we came after them. It was their only way to survive with their weak numbers. Had they had more time before we discovered their existence, they might have succeeded in breeding a stronger species.
If they’d escaped undetected, they might have succeeded in finding an adaptable species for procreation, but we refused to allow their infestation. We would either pin this Maxa’xak down or they’d drive him straight into my arms. Then it was my job to immobilize him so he could be destroyed.
This was the plan. Everyone agreed, except Casey. I understood his quiet objections. I’d seen many battles and people died. Despite pledging my Spirit to him, I could die. But I was a U.S. Marine and the Ci’in, and my pledges to both made me focus completely on the plan.
I leaned against him, reaching into my pocket and removing the quartz Yazzie had given me. I slipped it into his hand. “Hang onto this to protect your Spirit. It’s a symbol for the Earth Element.”
“I’d rather it protect you.”
“For me.” I dropped my head to his chest and he gripped his hand around mine, around the stone. I managed to drift off, listening to desert crickets and Casey’s heartbeat.
A Gambel’s quail warned us of imminent dawn, singing as the sky just started to lighten. Startled quiet by the chirping of my phone. “The sensors are down.”
I struggled up and Casey pulled the vest tight around me, securing it as his lips brushed my forehead ever so slightly. I couldn’t give him more and he knew it. He patted the shoulder pocket above his heart. I could see the lump the stone created.
Mounted up, we ran our bikes up the wash, no longer worried about tripping alarms. Taking a sharp bend north, we heard gunfire. Ahead Chucky waved at us. “This way!” I followed, as he was team leader now. I had one job and their job was to make sure I got to the target to complete it.
Around another bend Chucky moved ahead of us, hunched down on his bike, following the brush that lined the wash. I started after him, but an echo sounded and puff of sand made me skid to a stop, staying low under the rock ledge. The rest of my team hunkered down too. Another shot twinged by me, but this time I was watching the angle.
I activated my mic. “Chucky, we’re pinned down. Right side of the wash about 40 degrees. One shooter.”
“On it.” Of course he was.
Still, my hand molded around the grip of my Sig. The feel of the weapon made me more confident, though it wasn’t the weapon I’d need when I stood in front of the Maxa’xak.
Casey got into the niche next to me. “Are they trying to clear their escape route?”
“Probably, but he’ll try to protect his oldest offspring, letting the younger zombies do the fighting. I only know of the one near maturity, but there could be more.” I bobbed up and let go several rounds at our enemy, dodging down as they returned fire. It earned a glare from Casey. “Got to keep them looking at us.”
“Then we’ll do it. We have to get you to the plateau, not shot down here.” He opened up half a clip on them and my father took a turn keeping the enemy distracted. I kept my head down, as ordered. I listening to an endless crescendo of weapons fire, until a large explosion rolled gravel down on top of us.
Casey quickly used his arms to cover me. “What the hell was that?”
“The reason they called us Thunderbirds.” My father grinned and returned to his bike. “We can move on now.”
Casey dashed to his. “Hey, where’s our other Ci’in… Miri-nay?”
I looked back at our group, then heard a brief scream from up the side of the mountain. “Doing her job. Let’s go!” I spun my tires, taking the steep slope of the wash. One more bend and we’d be at the access point to the plateau.
We made the turn and ran the bikes up part way, before ditching them to take the alluvial ramp by foot.
“Coming up the other side.” Chucky’s voice echoed in my ear.
“How many were there?”
Another scream answered that question. “Just the two. Miri-nay will meet us on the plateau when she’s done.”
“Check.” I dashed up the ramp, knowing he’d provide coverage from his position.
Casey stumbled at the high-pitched screams, too high pitched to be human. “What is that? Do they need more help?”
“No, Miri is extracting the larvae from their hosts.”
“I thought you said these men were already dead, that what we’re doing…”
“They are dead, but the larvae still control the bodies. That’s the larvae as she untangles them from the host.” I hesitated just a step. “She’s killing them before they rip themselves loose and try to make it back to the Maxa’xak, or find another host.”
“How would they be introduced to… no, don’t answer that.”
CHAPTER
31
Casey stood up to give a quick survey of the ramp. Rifle on his shoulder as he did the swing down one mountain face and up the other. “Looks clear.”
We were near the top of the alluvial slide they used as a ramp to access the plateau. It was packed down tight enough to handle off-road tires. “Stay against the wall.” We kept our backs to the cliff. The gravel here was looser, making the climb tough. We had one last stretch to finish, then we’d be in the battle raging above us.
With another breath, I was ready to rush the last few meters. I had only taken two steps when my skin shivered violently. “Everyone down!” I pulled Casey against the wall as an SUV came off the plateau,
