Sentinel: Projection, #4

By I M Gardner

I turned and crept closer. It was pretty dark. I wasn't sure how close I was. There would be no forgiveness here. One step too many and I was just another casualty. I took my best guess and loaded a flare and pointed it where I thought the cave was. I fired.

WHOOSH….

It was a beautiful shot. I watched the sizzling flare arch up and rise, then droop into a flat run towards the cave entrance. It seemed to disappear for a second, then…

KERBOOOOMMMMMMMM....

 The whole ridge lit up. I could see a great fireball rise within the cave and even through cracks high in the side of the ledge. The last thing I remembered was a ghostly, beautiful, blue and green ring racing across the ground towards me.

I woke to feel a warm, wet face on mine. I opened my eyes to see nothing. I could smell Andra close. I reached up to find her face, and softly wipe at the tears there.

"Hun, I think I'm blind, I can't see a thing." I said quietly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: I M Gardner
• Release date: Aug 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516398553

Book preview

I. Talking to Boots

Slowly her warmth dissolved into the heat of my own tightly closed fist. My eyes were squeezed tight, sealing out the world. I was in a private sanctuary, a place where Andra was still with me. After a time, I felt the last of her leave me. I opened my eyes to see if I could accept the bright day and my new life. …A world without Andra.

The sun burst painfully through of my wet, blurred vision. I was still at the base of the projection hill. I looked back down and pulled her shirt to my face. Her familiar aroma filled my head. Slowly, with set determination, I wiped away my sorrow and finally looked up to my friends.

Lucky was standing before me, his huge striped face almost touching mine. I held the shirt out to him. I could see his great oversized fuzzy nose draw in the scent of his friend, his mentor, his mother. He took the shirt in his mouth and turned a full circle before walking up to the projection site. He knew. He knew it was the projection process that had taken Andra from us. It was sad to watch him pace every square foot of the site, hoping for a clue to something he would never understand. He was trying so hard. I banged my fist on my knee to steel me before I gave in to sorrow again.

I rose slowly. Babe advanced to block out the sun. I welcomed the relief. I felt his great trunk tip sniff my head and then examine my face with soft assurances. He grumbled with sadness. Knowing the pragmatic Babe, he would be the first to admit he didn’t understand any of it. But he knew I loved Andra with all my heart and he knew something had taken her away. I patted his trunk and then leaned against him, hoping to soak in some of his strength and courage. Finally I shivered and bent to pick up Andra’s items. I bundled them to my chest as if they were sacred and carried them past the Waverly and into our old tent. I slipped the fang necklace into my pants pocket. I wasn’t ready to let go of it. I knew that I may never let go of it. I laid the rest of her items on the cot and stared down at them. Feeling the dread return, I quickly left the tent.

Babe approached me and touched own his head and threw his giant ears forward.

What can I do? He had asked.

Go. I pointed towards the trail to the new camp. Go be with your family.

Babe nodded and gently knelt for me to get on.

No. I offered.

He stayed there hoping I would change my mind. I gestured for him to go. Finally he rose to full height, turned and started home. Before he got far, he turned back one last time and called gently to me. I yelled No and stomped my left leg hard into the ground. He slowly shuffled away down the trail, as if betraying a friend. I watched him go. I missed him already. I missed Dotty and Petrina and Emma already. I needed them right now. I did, but I wasn’t leaving here yet. It wouldn’t feel right. I just wasn’t finished here.

I looked uphill to Lucky. He had lain down on the projection site. Andra’s shirt was under his great head as he just looked down toward me with a sadness I had yet to ever see in him. I climbed up to the site. I sat beside his great head and hugged it. He blinked and sighed, but did not move. I rested my head on his as we both stared across the broad forest below, staring, but, seeing nothing. His breathing made him seem like a fantastic machine, so regular and deep and powerful. Yet he was anything but a machine. He was a strong, courageous and wise being. His natural charity was rivaled only by Dotty. He had started life over, having been through so much. He had started a new life that included Dotty and I, and of course, Andra. We had much in common, Lucky and I. His sad eyes began to close as his breathing slowed to a deep rhythm. I knew he had willed himself to sleep, perhaps to guard the last spot of Andra. He had a right to be here with me, for better or worse. I too drifted off, my body curled in a ball, my head resting on his broad neck.

***

Sometime much later, Lucky stirred to wake me. He worked out from under my sleepy head, letting it droop on the ground. I looked up as he carefully stood to full height. I rubbed my eyes and looked downhill towards camp. There I saw an entire pack of armored wolves. They were sitting and watching us. My pulse shot up quickly, burning away the last of my grogginess. Although it now seemed an eternity, it was just this morning we had fought for our lives against a similar pack. I reached and wrapped my hand around my guide rifle, knowing it would make little difference if a pack this size really wanted Lucky and I for dinner. But then, I saw Khan. He woofed and walked to the bottom of the hill. Lucky became tense, flexing his weapon. I patted him calmly to reassure him. Khan just sat looking at me. That was his way, I had learned. He was sharp enough to know I was smart enough to know what he wanted. Does that make sense? It did to me. He wanted me to come down.

I held my rifle at port arms and slowly worked down the hill towards Khan. He turned his head back towards the pack and woofed once. A wiggly streak flew past him and assaulted me. It assaulted me with squirmy love. It was the pup we had saved. He very much remembered me and wanted to let me know, beyond a doubt, that I was on his short list of favorite things. I knelt as he stood on my knee and licked at my face. Despite this exuberant greeting, I managed to inspect his front leg. The splint was still there. The weakened tape had frayed quite a bit and was due to burst away in next few days, especially with his energy. But then, I think that’s exactly what Doc wanted to happen. I laid my rifle down and reached to pick him up. He was quite the character. He had a peppery black face with pale blue eyes and matching white tuffs on his ear tips. I tried to imagine Khan 15 years ago, perhaps minus a half dozen scars. I could surely see a bit of Kahn in the pup. And he had grown. In three days, I think he may have doubled his weight. I can see now why Doc made the splint so temporary. I sat the pup down and patted him on the head. I told him how special he was and that I hoped he wouldn’t eat me someday.

I could see the armor starting to form along his shoulders. This was some special mystery that turned the hair follicles into thick pliable armor. No doubt this was an evolutionary function of their natural keratin. I noticed his dental plates had changed as well. There was evidence of the sculptured fangs starting to form along the glistening white surface. I looked up to Khan. Yep, someday this little guy would have a similar rack of dreadful, over-stated fangs. I turned him around and patted him back towards Khan.

The pup started towards Khan, but got side tracked. His nose led him right to Andra’s last spot. He sniffed there for a few seconds then visibly sprung up into midair. When he landed clumsily, the splint slipped, causing him to nose dive into the dirt. He eagerly hopped back up. He turned his head this way and that, his eyes searching hard as he wagged his tail ninety miles per hour. He was looking for Andra of course. He made a tour, snuffling along the ground around me as I knelt there. Finally, I could see his disappointment as he accepted she wasn’t close. Khan woofed him back and then walked over to sniff the spot himself. He looked up with his hauntingly intelligent eyes. I sighed gently and opened my hands in a gesture. I had given a restrained response, considering my insides were still churning with emotions of loss. He stared right through me as his burning eyes formed the obvious question…. a question I could not answer. I thought I caught a glint of compassion from him before he jerked his eyes away and sniffed the air with renewed interests. He woofed once, and without even looking back at me, turned into his pack. He led them away, down the depression trail towards the valley.

I didn’t know what to expect out of Khan. He was obviously highly intelligent, but he was also the best at what he did…kill things. I was always caught flat footed by his appearances, and equally surprised by his abrupt departures. He was truly a ninja of this new world.

When they were gone I slowly stood and stretched. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. For the first time in this fascinating adventure, I felt alone. Abandonment issues…I heard that phrase before. How casually I had released the thought as someone else’s problem. Now it hit home. The person I had reached for, shared my all with, had abandoned me. I was sad, I was scared, and yes, I was angry. Not at Andra, but still very angry.

Lucky came down and snickered. He walked off towards the trail leading to the new camp. He stood watching, his ears perked forward into the distance. I could see the dust now. The clan was coming for us. I walked out next to Lucky and patted him gently, waiting to explain the worst of misfortunes.

Babe came first this time, returning for his friend. He had brought reinforcements. I could make out Dotty with infant River at her side, his little legs working hard to keep up. Emma was on Petrina. Whistler spotted Lucky now and galloped ahead.

They all slowed out of respect as they got closer. Dotty approached me winded. She gently extended her trunk and sniffed me, then caressed my face. She sensed my sorrow immediately. My eyes began to glisten. She was like some great mother consoling me. She pulled me to her chest in a gentle embrace. Petrina and Emma rode up next. Emma looked around with alarm on her face.

What’s wrong Wesson? She finally asked. Where’s Andra? She got right to the point.

I shook my head. It was suddenly hard to speak.

I don’t…I just don’t know Emma. I stopped before I lost it.

Emma slid off Petrina right at my feet. Her face reflected her state of shock.

What do you mean Scott, is she lost? Did you two have a fight? Did something grab her? What happened to her Scott? Emma bombarded me.

It was the retraction. The Projection equipment did something to her. I managed to get out.

Where was she Scott? Show me. Emma blurted out.

I led her to the spot Andra had disappeared. I knelt down to touch it out of mystery and longing.

Holy Crap, Wesson, this is not even close to the Projection point. Emma exclaimed. Was she undressed for some reason? She reasoned out loud.

No, no, her clothes and her boots were piled here afterwards. I explained.

My gawd, you’re telling me she got retracted from way out here… fully clothed? Emma sounded shocked.

That’s the way it happened, yes. And it tried to take me too, I’m almost certain. I added.

What do you mean Scott? Describe what happened. She asked, kneeling and looking me in the eyes.

I was watching for Frank and Mark to get retracted, that’s when my clothes heated up and my hand wound went nuts with pain. I dropped to my knees. It was extreme pain. Then it just quit. When I looked up, Frank and Mark were gone. I turned to Andra and only her pile of clothes was here. I got through it, checking my emotions as best I could.

Holy crap! Those bastards! Emma spurted out.

What…who? I asked.

The Projection technicians, that’s who. They obviously opened up the algorithm for some idiot reason. Can’t you see that Wesson? Hell, it almost accepted you. It stumbled when it got to your hand. Didn’t quite manage your hand, or you’d be gone too. She said fuming.

Emma stood and took off her over-sized boony hat and threw it to the ground. She started cussing, pacing back and forth.

Well yeah, that makes sense. I’m a little upset myself. I was astonished how out of control Emma was right now.

She finally calmed down when Petrina approached her and squealed excitedly while pulling at her hair.

I looked at Emma, afraid to ask what I knew I had to ask.

What’s this mean to them, Emma? What about Frank and Mark and…and Andra. I finally spit it out.

Emma picked up her booney cap and knelt across from me.

Scott, I don’t know how hard this hit you, and I’m not going to frigging speculate. We’ll think about it later in camp. She offered in a more civil tone.

Emma I’m not going to camp. I looked at her in earnest.

She glanced at me for second. I could see it sink in, that sudden realization that she was dealing with damaged goods.

No Scott, you can’t stay out here alone. There’s no need. She said quietly, almost a whisper

I won’t be alone. Lucky will be here, he won’t leave either. It’s just something we need to do. I said firmly.

Emma stood up and looked down.

Ok, you got one day here alone. After, that you’re coming home or we’re moving back into to this camp. All of us… hairy mammoths, infants, wounded tourists and all. Understand Captain?

Karla’s not a tourist, and yeah, I understand. I looked up into the afternoon sun.

Ok, now where’s Andra’s clothing? I want to inspect it. Emma asked.

On the camp cot, but I’m keeping the necklace close. I replied.

Emma turned and headed into camp. She cussed again, most of the way into camp.

I walked to Dotty and bent down to pat River. Dotty took time out to rub my head as I talked happily to little River. His hazy eyes were all animated and he made happy little squeals. He was imprinting all of us as friends, family, hell, maybe parents, I don’t know. It helped me come out of my shell. Maybe I had lost Andra…I don’t know yet. But I knew I still had it in me to stay with this family and give everything I had to assure their welfare. No matter what, that wouldn’t change. And wherever Andra was, she would look down with favor on this.

Meanwhile, Whistler stuck to Lucky like glue. She tried to get him to play, but he wasn’t having it. Petrina sensed it too and brought him an uprooted bush. Lucky didn’t eat it. I know how he felt…exactly. It’s not that we didn’t love them all here. Heck, either one of us would give our life for any of them. It’s just that we felt, in some odd way, that we were betraying Andra to let go so soon.

I once again rested my forehead against little River and told him we were life buddies. He reached his trunk up between us and lightly touched my mouth as it was moving. He was so tactile and totally fascinated with speech. I closed my eyes and soaked in the promise and optimism of wonderful youth. It had helped.

I stood up and led Dotty over to Andra’s last spot. She sniffed there. Like Kahn, she was gifted enough to realize the aroma went no further than this one spot. She touched her head and threw her ears forward, asking for answers. I simply pointed up to the Projection site. I watched her think about this for a second. Once again she touched her forehead and threw her ears forward.

Why did she leave? She was asking.

I thought about how to explain it to her. How could I explain that the algorithm was opened up and was sucked Andra back in an unauthorized error? I couldn’t. Finally, I had her watch me as I walked along in front of her. I acted like I stepped in a hole and twisted my ankle. Then I stood up and put my hands out like it wasn’t my fault. I had demonstrated a simple accident. That’s all I could do. Dotty thought about this for a few seconds then raised her trunk to touch my forehead, then her own.

I understand you. She had just told me.

She reached down and drew a few simple suns in the dirt, then flapped her ears forward.

How many days until she returns? Dotty was asking.

I touched my forehead and shook my head and frowned. Then she did something she had done a few times before…always on my roughest days out here. She pointed at the sun, then touched me, then her chest and stomped her left hoof firmly.

You are in my heart this day. She had declared.

I just leaned against her great chest. She welcomed me with gentle rumbles and pinned me against her with her massive trunk. I closed my eyes and let her gentle love console me. Finally, I stood up straight and patted Dotty firmly on the chest. I moved back and wiped my nose. I pointed at all the clan and then the valley.

Go feast below. I made the grazing sign.

She touched me and circled her trunk in the air to include the clan, then pointed at the valley.

Will you come with us? She asked.

No. I shook my head.

Dotty asked why. I went to Andra’s spot and stomped my left foot. She tapped her forehead and rumbled softly. It was settled.

Emma came back out of camp. She looked calmer, as calm as Emma gets, that it.

Where are we all going? She noticed the clan grouping up.

They need to graze. I offered.

Yeah, you are right Captain. Guess I’ll baby sit them down to the valley. She seemed in better spirits.

I looked at her.

Thanks for the day off, soldier. I tried to smile. …fail…

"One day then, as in singular. We expect you back, large and in charge tomorrow. Don’t make me come back here, Wesson." She shook her finger at me in mock fierceness.

We’ll see. That’s all I could say.

How are you fixed for food? She asked.

Camp’s set up with guest food, I’ll be fine. I declared.

Want us to swing by up here on the way home? She offered.

No. Let them feed, then take the shorter trail back to camp. I instructed.

Rog. Is Lucky coming? She asked.

Not a chance. I stated.

Don’t let him starve, Wesson.

Not a chance. I repeated.

All right Scott. Do whatever you have to do up here. Be home tomorrow. Emma stood on her tip toes and kissed my cheek. It’s going to work out. I got your back, Captain, sir. She saluted.

Thank you Emma. Take care of our family today. I said, as she turned to hop and climb up on Petrina.

I watched my friends and family work down the depression trail. Dotty and Babe looked back several times. I gave them a reassuring wave. Just before they made the first turn in the depression below, I heard Emma.

ONE DAY, THATS IT, SEE YOU TOMORROW."

I found myself nodding like she could see it. I watched as the last of them rounded the curve. I turned to see Lucky standing at the spot again. I shook my head and went over to him. I stood beside him and hugged his neck.

We have to eat, buddy. I told him.

He turned and slanted his head to look down at me.

That’s right, we’re going over there. I pointed up over the great rocky bluff that separated us from the Valley of the Inland Sea. And then we’re coming right back here. I pointed at the spot again.

He didn’t argue. I took that as a yes. I went into camp and traded my rifle for Andra’s. I can’t tell you why…it just seemed right. As I approached Lucky, he smelled her on the rifle right away. It seemed to lift his spirits just a tad. I started up his back and he helped me the rest of the way. Mammoth rider or not, this was still one big horse to climb. We settled into a slow, easy ascent up through the brush and forests of the old wolf trail.

We topped the crest to view the beautiful little valley below. All traces of over grazing were gone. The grasses were as thick and tall as the first time I laid eyes on them. The late afternoon sun poured in from the left, painting the hill peaks with a soft, muted gold. The sky was bright, but with a suggestion of haze… a reminder of the powerful mists that would come later. All in all, it was breath taking. I felt a twinge of anger pass through me. ...How dare it be so serene and beautiful while I’m all torn up inside.

We eased down the ancient game trail until the surrounding grasses looked tall and fat. I let Lucky browse at his leisure. He seemed reluctant at first, but then the succulent grasses worked their magic and he fed in earnest. I sat calmly atop and glassed the valley to distract myself. I watched a family of goats work along the higher hills. We frightened a flock of furred flyers that circled us three or four times, only to settle back into the tall grass exactly where they had come from. A soft howl-whistle of an armored wolf floated to me on the breeze. It sounded far away, past the confines of the valley. Perhaps it was Summer’s pack. I had no idea how far her territory expanded out in that direction. Perhaps it was a third pack. Still, it made me think of Summer. I hoped she was doing well. It would be nice to see her again. As long as she wasn’t feeding on a hammer tail that is. There was such wildness here. But I loved it. I just needed Andra here to share it. …Damn it, whatever I think about, it just leads me right back to Andra.

Lucky slowed in his grazing and I told him it was time to get back. He turned us quickly, like he had been waiting to go home. We started up the divide. I know we both felt alone. How could one woman leave such a vacuum in us? I guess the answer was, we both gave her our hearts. Up until now, I was blown away just thinking about what could have happened to her. This was now my first taste of missing her company. It sucked.

We descended on our side of the divide and back down through the trees and bushes. I could see it before we even cleared the brush. Something was at the Projection site. I urged Lucky forward. I was scared and desperate all at the same time. I was scared it was heart breaking news, but desperate for any word on her at all. We reached the Projection hill and simply rode up to the top without dismounting. I just stared down at a white plastic cooler. Finally I slid off Lucky and patted him. This was his moment of destiny too. Whatever was in that cooler would affect both of us. If there was bad news in that cooler, we would have to somehow accept it. I slowly bent down and peeled the tape off of the latch. I popped it open.

It was a total mess. The waft of spilled drinks inundated my senses. Bottles floated in their own mish mash of a nasty smelling cocktail filing the bottom. I picked up a half empty bottle of gin to examine it. I was looking for shatters or cracked glass. There were none. Instead, I found a small, perfectly formed hole in the side of the bottle. There was no jagged edge, just a smooth round hole about the size of a dime. Another bottle had no hole at all. It was simply two thirds full. I stared down thinking about how this could be. There was no evidence of a violent jolt to the cooler or the contents. There was only one explanation. …The Projection algorithm…My heart sank with the realization that our connection to our support base was now suspect.

Then I noticed something on the inside of the lid. It was an envelope sealed in white plastic and heavily taped there. My heart stuttered as I reached over and peeled it off. I tore the white plastic open and pulled out a standard yellow NASA envelope. It was