The Index -|-

Kpleeb stood on a ridge halfway up the side of mount Toptop. In the valley below he could see the taller trees that lined the river and stretched from within the mouth of the canyon into the distance where the river meandered. Near the mouth a plume of dense, grey smoke emitted from the forest, and Kpleeb bared his teeth in a grim smile.

“Our weapons absolutely slaughtered that Xi vessel. We just need more units to extend our protection range.”

Watching from his squat position nearby, Xir grunted his agreement.

“Have the Ganix stay on high alert, Xir. That other Xi ship got away, but they could be back any moment. Though, with the way the other ship burned, they may be more cautious. We put the fear of the Pale One in them for sure.” He turned and headed toward the mouth of his hideout. As soon as he reached the entry, he turned to look behind him. Xir followed and he could see various Ganix warriors posted at the perimeter, their light cloaks almost completely hiding their form.

It had taken Kpleeb some time to convince his personal guard to wear the cloaks,. In fact, only after wearing a cloak himself while infiltrating their camp had they been willing to consider its effectiveness. Kpleeb was not a stealthy caveman, and he had never been known for his warrior prowess. Running with the Gannix had honed his body and skill a bit, but these warriors had been born to fight. The cloak’s ability to mask his movement had convinced them. That and the fact that he had demanded that they adopt it.

Kpleeb turned for a mere moment before entering the cave. “Prepare to run. I will be ready in five minutes.”

With an indistinct groan, the door slid away before him, and he entered. He threw his own cloak on the low couch near the door and stepped up to the datawall. Each point of light representing his sensors glowed white. Quickly, he tapped a few protrusions on the red-tiered device in front of him.

“Clear skies for now,” he muttered.

With a swift turn, Kpleeb moved into the next room where he kept a small workbench. There, scattered across the main surface were pieces of his latest creation. He picked up two angular plates of yellow stone and touched them together. The edges fused instantly with an audible click. With a tug, he pulled them apart and their previous shapes were restored. [It’ll be ready for everyone soon.]

He picked up a small tool bag and slung the strap over his head and shoulder. Then he grabbed his lightning spear and moved outside. A half-dozen Ganix warriors stood near the treeline.

Without a word, Kpleeb started jogging toward the downhill slope. Needing to warm up, he started slow. The nearest slope was not too steep and the coniferous trees were dense. He ducked and swiped with his hands, but the boughs still slapped his chest and face. He was used to it. These and his head start were the only reason his warrior friends were still behind him.

After a few more seconds, his breath came faster, and he slowed just before the view broke in front of him. There the slope steepened considerably, and Kpleeb had no time to enjoy the valley below him. He did not stumble, barely. He had learned that the only way to keep up with the Ganix was to fully commit, and so he leapt over log and stone and bush with all of his momentum. It did not matter., the Ganix were like gazelles leaping higher, fearlessly throwing themselves from every high perch into the slope below like circus acrobats.

Soon, the group of warriors approached the smoke. Near the river, a gash tore the soil in a deep and rocky rut. Smaller trees had been demolished, and larger trees had been shoved violently to the side. In the distance, a hulking angular structure rested awkwardly on a tilt. As Kpleeb approached, he slowed down and wielded his spear.

The side of the ship had a jagged hole in it from which billowed smoke. The sides of the splintered trees that faced the ship burned, and a black residue fanned out from the gaping hole and covered everything from the hole to trees ten or fifteen paces away.

Xir gestured toward the other side of the wreckage, and two warriors split from the group and stalked that direction.

The ground was rocky and rough, and shattered trees and branches were strewn everywhere. After almost tripping on a downed branch, Kpleeb began to step carefully, winding his way forward and toward the big gash in the vertical side of the Xi ship. When he was closer, maybe ten paces from the dark hole, a bolt of blue light exploded from the ship and struck him in the chest. It was so immediate, that Kpleeb did not know what had happened until he was on his back.

There were several wicked crackles of energy – music from Ganix lightning spears. Kpleeb laid there for a moment gasping for breath before moving his neck to slowly lift his head. The a tangy burn wafted onto his senses. From his vantage point he could see Xir and another Ganix warrior standing between him and the Xi ship.

A hand grasped Kpleeb’s shoulder, and looking upward, he saw the face of a warrior looking down at him. There was no concern in the expression, only analysis.

“Good.” The man said before straightening and continuing toward the ship. It was a statement of fact, not a question.

Kpleeb grinned and sat up with an audible groan. His body ached all over, but especially his chest. He was surprisingly still holding onto his lightning spear and used it to hoist himself to his feet. Looking at the hole in the Xi ship, he rubbed his chest with his left hand. “Any other problems, Xir?”

Xir waved his hand, beckoning forward. “Not know.”

Kpleeb, Xir, and two other warriors carefully approached the hole. The inside was pitch black, but in the Kpleeb could see a pile of silica dust near the entrance. He looked up and saw the ship towering over him. “It was huge up close.”This ship is huge. It could contain any number of Xi. We must be careful.”

“Bring torch,” said Xir with a wave of his hand.

A nearby warrior grabbed a stick that was already burning and passed it to Xir before grabbing another. The two warriors that had gone around the outside jogged up to the group preparing to enter. “No hole. No Xi,” one of them said.

[This little task might be time consuming, and very dangerous. But the Xi must pay, and what else do I live for? They have inflicted far too much suffering on me and my family to let it pass.]

Kpleeb sighed. “Let’s go.”