Truthseer: The Phoenix Enigma, #2

By Jay Aspen

Jac joins the outlawed rangers on the front line of the Resistance

Their mental and physical training teaches her powerful secrets of survival––

and then the Avarit military attacks, tearing apart her fiery love affair with Raine.

Now Jac has to find out if her extraordinary perceptive abilities will win her a meaningful place among the rangers, without sacrificing her values as a medic.

 

Truthseer is the second book in the Phoenix Enigma series, the near-future dystopian epic from Jay Aspen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandfire Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Mar 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781916171800

Jay Aspen

Jay writes from experiences in wilderness travel and extreme sports; snow peaks in the Andes, big walls in Yosemite and Baffin Island, sailing the Irish sea to photograph puffins and dolphins. A science degree and training with Himalayan shamans led to an interest in bio-psychology. She lives in the wild Welsh Borders, sings jazz, rides horses.

Book preview

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Resistance Archives 2

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When the resource wars ended the scattered survivors on these half-drowned, storm-wrecked islands were desperate for any government, never mind how repressive, to end the famines, produce food and rebuild a guarded city to house and protect them.

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After fifty years of debt-slavery, people started asking why only the controlling Avarit faction profited from this system. Many left the city for exile in the deserted forests and mountains.

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These forest rangers forged links with Resistance volunteers in the city itself––those breaking Avarit law to provide food, shelter and medical care, motivated by aims other than greed and lust for power.

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For them, overthrowing tyranny meant also ensuring that in the process they did not become the same kind of despot, rising from the proverbial ashes.

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That is the Phoenix Enigma.

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It presents difficult choices.

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Resistance Archives 2; 3

The Warren

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1

The extent of glacial isostatic adjustment was difficult to predict, cutting road access to Scotland and affecting several rivers.

Resistance Archives 1

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Raine turned the jeep downhill onto the rough track leading to the Warren. The landscape had changed after they left the inhabited Outlander farmsteads behind and drove further north on crumbling roads, deeper into wild forest. The final stretch had been an hour of slow progress to reach the familiar junction. He eased the heavily repaired and dented vehicle around the steep hairpin bends, across the narrow arch of stone bridge and partway up the hill on the far side.

No question, this is terrain where horses are a lot faster. Which could be a serious problem if we have to evacuate our equipment in a hurry. This attack could hit us any time soon.

He pulled over and stopped, giving Jac time to take in the deep wooded valley below. The trees were taller here than on the open hillsides, dense tangled undergrowth snaring the spaces between the grey trunks that rose in smooth columns above their heads. There were more birds now they were further from the city, their songs and calls echoing in the green-lit air. Below the trees the river roared and growled, cutting between the cliffs in its haste for tamer ground.

Raine pointed back the way they had come, watching Jac’s reactions to a place she had never seen before. Not for the first time, he felt a stab of unease about the way he had allowed his desire to be with her overrule his concern for her safety.

I should have insisted she stayed at home. This is a dangerous time even for experienced rangers, let alone newcomer trying to adapt to the kind of life we have to deal with.

He kept his voice calm, even though he was painfully aware that his description of their defensive safeguards would sound minimal, probably inadequate. Especially since the only other road had washed out in the storms a few weeks ago.

That cliff helps block a ground invasion. The tarmac road we drove from the south runs along the top of it and there’s a dirt track that follows the base of it, alongside the river. We had to repair the stone bridge where it had cracked in the rock fracture.

Jac peered at the sheer rock wall on the opposite side of the valley. My grandfather said something about the roads fracturing in the far north but I didn’t know it had happened here as well.

I think this is the only faultline so far south but it’s hard to know for sure. Fin said there wasn’t much chance to research and keep records, back in the war years when the ice melted and the rock plates shifted from the changing weight. Raine pointed again. You can see where we turned off the road onto this track, and where we followed the switchbacks leading down to the Warren bridge we just crossed. It’s impossible to drive anything heavier than a transporter through here and even then it’s slow going, as I’m sure you noticed.

Does that mean the other rangers we went to support yesterday will already have arrived here, seeing as they’re on horseback?

We’ll soon find out. This track is the only vehicle access to the farm complex but there is a steep horse trail coming up from the south on this side of the river. My guess is that Kit will already be here, but because Bel held back as rearguard she may not arrive until later today.

He watched Jac taking it in, guessing that she was working out how much worse these road conditions must be than the battered remains of the transport network around her home.

After a long pause she managed to form the new information into a question.

So... if the Warren is attacked, what would you do?

If a military convoy invades, we try to get our equipment out by road before they reach the bridge. Then we can head north before they see us. If we blow the bridge itself, it would give us time to get the remaining rangers into the forest on foot, using the cattle trails that cross the ridge directly behind the farmhouse.

And if there’s an airstrike?

Still enough warning from the lookouts to get everyone away into the trees but we would lose most of our equipment. Raine hesitated. Unless, as I suspect, someone is passing information to the Avarit military.

Then what?

If they find a way around our safeguards we might not make it. His words were still calm but he knew they had failed to completely disguise the tension beneath. He glanced up at the wooded hillside. Now, we need to get out for a couple of minutes while the lookouts search the jeep. Our perimeter guards will already have flagged our approach. He stepped away from the vehicle, motioning her to do the same. Keep your hands visible.

A woman was standing among the trees on the hillside above, her bow drawn, the arrow aimed at them. Raine could sense the presence of several others even though they were hidden from view.

Silently, two men shadowy in rangers’ dark camouflage emerged from the undergrowth at the side of the track, searched the jeep and then stepped back, turning to him with a fleeting gesture of acknowledgement, hand on heart, before fading back into the forest. 

When he looked up again the woman had disappeared.

All clear. He slid back behind the wheel and they moved off. It looks like Kit ordered increased numbers on lookout when they heard I’d been captured in the city. They’ll search again at the farmhouse in case it’s a trap.

It took another ten minutes’ rough driving to reach the Warren. Around the final corner the large rambling farmhouse came into view, surrounded by barns and outbuildings set in a wide level terrace perched above the gorge. Sun and shadow dappled the mellowed-honey stone walls, the space in front of the main farmhouse bright with wild flowers. The far end of the terrace had been shored up, perched high above the valley with only a low parapet to prevent the unwary from plunging over the edge.

The whole complex was well camouflaged, the trees cleared from no more than a narrow space outside the farm buildings. From the air it would look no different from scores of long-disused settlements in the western forest.

Raine parked a safe distance from the house and stood by the jeep, hands visible, waiting to be searched again.

Jac was looking around, her green eyes wide with the new place and its people. I can see why you call it the Warren. Like a much larger, wilder version of home.

He heard the wave of longing for her own family in her voice and tried to make light of their situation.

We all hope we won’t be hiding like rabbits for too much longer. He was painfully aware that he would have no time to help her adjust to a new place as he noticed her hand drift unconsciously to the neuro-implant under the tangled chestnut curls of her hair. He had already guessed she had been using one but held back from saying anything, guessing it would be a sensitive topic. Another difficult change for her to overcome.

Let Fin deal with the implant. She has far more experience than I have for getting Jac through what’s coming.

What Jac needed from him right now was reassurance. This would not be an easy place for someone like her to fit in. She had a high level of wilderness skills but no fight experience, even though he knew her slight elfin frame was deceptive and she was a good deal stronger than she looked.

Jac, you can stop feeling anxious. New recruits are always welcomed. And don’t forget we really need your medic experience. He caught her brief nervous smile of gratitude before focusing on how the garrison would react to his sudden reappearance.

It’s good to be back, even with what’s happening.

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Jac edged a little closer to Raine’s side, focusing on every detail of these strange new surroundings as more people in the same shadow-hued clothing appeared from the house. She resisted the urge to reach for his hand, wondering why she needed the reassurance of his fight skills as well as the authority of his role as commander.

The tension in the people around her seemed to relax when the search of the jeep proved nothing sinister about their arrival and excited whispers started to spread across the clearing. The crowd parted as a tall dark-haired young man of about twenty strode out of the door and approached them.

Jac guessed instantly that this must be Kit. She quickly looked around, wondering if all the others Raine had named as being involved in the previous day’s battle had also made it back.

A tall woman with cropped hair and tiny blue braids rode into the clearing and dismounted to tether her horse. In a flash of recognition Jac tried to push aside her feelings of insecurity about Raine’s second in command. She had only met Bel briefly the day before and the powerful warrior had given her no reason to feel threatened.

Focus on practicalities. Raine’s estimate was right. If horses are faster, it means Bel must have spent some time checking her rearguard actions yesterday before heading back here.

Jac hurriedly switched her focus on what was happening with Raine, as Kit greeted him with undisguised relief.

"Raine! Sir. Lyr’illyn west’du. We heard the safe house had burned down and we feared you were either dead or captured."

They gripped forearms as Raine had done with the lookouts at the bridge.

Raine stepped back to give Jac some space.

I would have been dead if Jac hadn’t found me. Meet our new medic.

The rangers gathered around her, hand on heart in that subtle acknowledgement, each touching her arms, hands, until everyone had made direct contact, accepting her simply because they trusted their leader. Jac felt overwhelmed, not just by the attention and acceptance of so many strangers, but also the expression of deep trust they all had in Raine’s judgement.

Bel edged closer, giving her a reassuring smile. She stayed beside Jac, one arm resting carelessly around her shoulders. Something else Jac had not expected, cutting across her feelings of insecurity. Maybe the demands of Raine’s second in command would not claim as much of his time or attention as she had feared.

And I gave my word I wouldn’t resent it even if they did...

Before she could explore her confusion any further, she had to focus on what Kit was saying. He was impatient with questions.

Raine? What happened in the city?

Raine kept it almost casual, playing down the seriousness of what had passed.

I got careless. J5 security grabbed me at the safe house. We’ll go through details later with Cass and her intel team. How was your time in command of the Warren?

Kit took a leather string from around his neck, giving Jac a brief glimpse of one of the rangers’ small medallions with its blue phoenix image. He looked at it thoughtfully before handing it over.

It showed me I need more experience before I’m ready to lead more than a patrol or holding exercise. Thank you for trusting me with it.

Raine looked appraisingly at the man he was training as a future leader. You’ve just shown me you understand exactly what you still have to learn. You’re more ready than you think. Good. He turned to the others and raised his voice. All except those on lookout detail, be in the great hall in ten minutes, make sure everyone knows.

Jac felt his hand on her arm as he steered her into the house, slowing his pace a little so she could keep up with his long strides. She found the familiar smells of food and wood-smoke strangely disturbing now they belonged to an unfamiliar place whose location might already have been betrayed.

Raine paused at the end of the hallway.

Jac, I’m going to have to concentrate for a few hours. You can use the time to give Fin the meds you brought with you. This might be your only chance if we have to get out of here fast. I’ll ask Kit to help you. He hesitated, and she could tell he was finding the next thing difficult.

She squeezed his hand. It’s okay. I’m ready for anything. I think. She found herself wishing he didn’t have so many things to worry about right now. The strong contours of his face were once more set in a frown of concentration, the deep brown of his eyes giving little away about his underlying concern for everyone’s safety.

It hurts, but I have to put the four people who knew about the safe house under surveillance. Kit is one of them. Everyone has been under his overall command since I left here to travel to the city, so they’ll find it difficult to suddenly start spying on him. It’s a big ask. Do you feel up to it?

It all feels weird at the moment. Focus on herbs and dumb questions?

Not too dumb I hope. Doesn’t suit you. Come on, meet the rest of the crew. He led her through a long whitewashed passageway to the great hall, adding information rapid-fire as they walked. Kit has real insight as well as fighting skills. It’s rare for one person to have both. Talk to him about that and stay close. He pushed open the broad wooden door.

At some point before the crash an unknown wealthy resident had lovingly restored the Warren’s largest room with its oak-beamed ceiling and lime-white walls. It had survived its intervening years of neglect reasonably well before being discovered and repaired by the forest rangers.

Heavy oak tables for almost a hundred people to gather and eat together were pushed back against the walls, but with most rangers on lookout or forest patrol there were only a dozen or so people in the hall, standing in small groups or perched on the edges of tables.

Everyone waited expectantly in silence as Raine walked to the far end and stood on the step of the big stone fireplace.

"I’ll keep it short, details later. I don’t need to say how I feel about being back with you all again. But my carelessness may have compromised our safety. So, everyone should complete stage one of evacuation drill by end of today. Everything should be ready to go, all extraneous junk must be properly destroyed."

He looked around, checking numbers in the room.

Get messages to anyone within two hours’ ride to come back in and help with the evac. Everyone else can stay out in the forest. And we’re on high alert, full weapons harness at all times except––

When sleeping or at desk work, at which times it should be within reach and ready for use. The speaker looked barely seventeen, an irreverent grin on his rounded features as he finished Raine’s instructions for him.

Raine focused on the perpetrator with mock severity, colluding with the offered chance to lighten the mood.

"And in your case Karim, I might add that actually turning up at daily training so you know how to use it, might be a good idea for a change."

Jac felt a rush of surprise, trying to work out how the teenager got away with his chirpy insubordination in the midst of so much well-trained efficiency.

A ripple of laughter came from the others and Karim hastily exchanged his look of injured innocence for one of contrition.

Okay! I admit total failure on all counts of physical activity. I will be there first thing tomorrow, ready for action. Unless I get lucky and we’re all bailing out by then.

Spoken in front of multiple witnesses. I expect a full report on your progress. If any. Raine’s tone suggested he thought the event unlikely.

Kit rested a careless arm on Karim’s shoulder, making little effort to conceal his amused grin.

I’ll volunteer some personal coaching. Help him make up for all those valuable missed opportunities in the past.

Karim rolled his eyes in exaggerated resignation but said nothing. Raine waited for everyone to disperse and follow orders, then turned to Kit.

Can you celebrate your first day off by helping Jac transfer some meds to Fin, ready to set up a new dispensary?

Sure. Kit steered Jac to the door.

She took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on her unexpected new role as a spy.

2

Trust is essential for any constructive operation to succeed.

Resistance Archives 3

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Raine waited until Jac and Kit were out of earshot, then laid a restraining hand on Karim’s arm.

Karim, with me.

Karim fell in step, his face a picture of apprehension, no doubt preparing for rather more trouble with the boss than he had anticipated.

Bel caught his eye as she walked past, signing, "What’s going on?"

Karim shrugged to say he had no idea. Bel gave a puzzled frown and turned away to collect her things. Raine was careful not to show that he had noticed the exchange, stopping at the far side of the hall to speak to the tall, slightly stooping young man who had been chatting with Bel.

Greg. My office, now. He waved them to walk past into the corridor, noticing Karim’s sigh of relief. If this involved others, it was less likely to be about one of his numerous discipline transgressions. Raine knew the teen’s worry on that count would pale to insignificance when they all heard what was coming. He reached the small room he used as an office, to find Fin already waiting for him. The elderly medic had an uncanny way of knowing when something was wrong.

He followed the others inside, glancing back to check the corridor was empty before closing the door quietly behind him.

There’s not much time so I’ll get straight to the point. I didn’t get careless. J5 security agents were waiting for me inside the safe house. Someone is passing information and only four people knew where I would be.

Stunned silence. Raine knew no one would want to believe it. No one spoke.

He continued. "So, Greg, you’re surveillance on Cass while you pack up at intel and Karim,