Children of War - Novel Excerpt
Please read: This is the beginning of a novel I wrote back in 2006. The English is very basic, I was not very good back then, but I hope the story itself will make up for it. The entire novel has two parts. This is Part One, 73 Pages and over 40k words. I will sell a pdf of it for €5 to anyone interested, just PM me. There is a second part, a lot longer. You can get both parts for €8. I'd like to test this as a new way to distribute electronic works. And tell me if you would be interested in a eBook-formatted edition.
?The alerts howled through the base. The pilots ran to the fighters.
Mách sat down in her fighter. The good old Síchas. Had always been trustworthy. Had never fooled her. Her partner in so many battles. She patted the controls and closed the cockpit top, activated the engines, checked the weapons and opened the intercom.
"I'm off!" she said and started the fighter.
The Síchas lifted off, the fighter flew out of docks fast.
"Sál, where are they?" Mách asked through intercom.
"Forty kilometres, west."
"Forty? They're really close this time."
"They seem to have got through the first radar shield."
"Stósh!"
"Just get them."
Mách turned the speed to maximum. Forty kilometres was definitely too close. They seem to get cleverer each time. 'Or we just became too inattentive,' Mách thought. Next to her, she could see Stóvan moving into formation. With only two fighters, it could get a bit hairy. She didn't know how many and what enemies are engaging.
"Stóvan, nice to have you with me," she said. "But what about Sárt? I'd really like to have him here."
"The old guy needs a bit more time to get his pants on," Stóvan answered. "He should be here soon."
"Enemies in sight!"
She could see three battleships. Stupid idiots. They know they can't damage the station with only three battleships. They had defended bigger attacks. She remembered times as she alone brought down two of them. The battleships were big, but very slow. Even a newbie could take one of them down with a normal fighter.
"I'll get the big one!"
"Nice you finally joined us, Sárt!"
"I never miss fun, Miss."
Three fighters. Still too few. She didn't like what was going on. She didn't consider the humans as that stupid. They must know they don't have a chance. So why are they trying to attack?
She didn't know much about humans, she hadn't even seen one in nature. Mách just knew they were thinking completely different, and she knew there were many more ships in the south, far in the south, so why are they coming here with nothing more than a stick to poke at the Nílans?
"Okay, I think everyone should get one of them."
"Acknowledged."
She slowed down a bit and got the missiles ready. She just flew straight to the battleship. She knew the Síchasachi were too fast for its turrets. She also know where to target the missiles. It was so easy. Missile one shot off and hit the engines. The big battleship slowly fell down. The next missile hit the bridge. Without control the battleship crashed down onto ground. She watched it exploding.
"I was first," she said. "Sál, are there anymore out there?"
"Just the other two."
"Strange... I don't like what's going on, really..."
"Don't piss your fur. I don't think they brought more here."
"I wish I had your optimism."
She watched the other two ships falling onto ground. The debris flew around. The fusion reactors melted the soil and burned out after some seconds. She was sure none of the crew survived this mess.
"I like the smell of nuclear missiles in the evening," Sárt said.
"Let's get back to base," she said with a suddenly quite depressed voice.
Mách took off her shirt and threw it onto the floor. Then she sat down onto her bed, closed her eyes and took a very deep breath, waiting for her heart to calm and the room to go silent.
"Scánish, I need your support. I killed tonight. I ended life. Scánish, tell me it was right. Help me, Scánish. I need your support."
After some minutes she lit a match. She watched the match burning down.
"Help me."
The silence came back again. Mách breathed clearly and slowly. She sat there for several minutes in the dark and silence.
She jumped as somebody opened her door.
"Hey, I just wanted to ask you if you'd like some food."
She looked at Stóvan, grabbed her shirt and put it on again.
"Fine by me."
They sat down on the hill at the outer edge of the base. Mách liked this place. And today the horizon was made even more beautiful by the burning wrecks of three human battleships. Stóvan had brought two food rations from the eating hall deep under ground. The food was good, but she didn't like the room. It was crowded most of the time. She preferred it up here, under the sky.
"Did you pray again?" Stóvan asked as he opened the packets.
"You know me..." Mách answered.
Stóvan put a small bit of meat into his mouth. Together they looked out onto the burning plain.
"You shouldn't feel guilty about them. They aren't like us at all."
"I'm not quite sure about that. At least they live." She tossed a piece of vegetable into her mouth. "And I'm not feeling good ending innocent lives."
"Innocent!" Stóvan spurted out. "They aren't innocent. They killed our families and friends. Yours too, if I remember correctly."
"I've killed far more humans than I've lost friends."
"You can't just stop it. You're part of the army. They won't let you go that easily."
"They can't hold me. Anyway, I won't leave. The homeland has to be defended."
They both turned. On the other side of the base they saw lights. Many lights. It was the city of Girás. The big city they were defending from humans. There was a small tale running through the rows of the soldiers. You are always free to go. But you won't when you look over the thing you have to protect. Mách knew the people there were counting on her. And as long as the city is to protect, she won't quit the duty.
"Hey, look what I've also got."
Stóvan put out a small box and two plastic cups.
"Oh, Stóvan, you know I can't keep that Káhli stuff down."
"Come on, one cup to celebrate another victory."
He filled and gave her one cup. "To us!"
They poured the stuff down their throats and moaned.
"Whoa. Strong stuff today," Mách said.
Stóvan moved closer and stroked her tail. Softly their muzzles touched. He moved his left paw slowly over her thigh to her crotch.
Mách took his paw and held it away.
"Not today, I'm not in the mood."
Stóvan kept on stroking her tail but moved his paw away. She looked out onto the field. She watched the wrecks. Suddenly she giggled.
"I want to go there!"
"What?"
She pointed at the wrecks.
"Tomorrow. I want to visit them. Will you join me?"
"Well, I wanted to get some training hours tomorrow."
"Aw, come on, it'll be fun!"
Stóvan sighed. "Alright."
Mách cheered. "Do you think Sárt would also join us?"
"Maybe. I'll also ask Amér if that's okay for you."
"Oh? You wanted to visit her tonight maybe?"
"Umm... she asked me actually."
"Stóvan... two girls in one night."
"Sárt does more sometimes."
"You are not Sárt. I don't know how you males think about it, but if it helps: He didn't get me yet. You did. And I don't think he will."
"Oh? Why so?"
Mách stared out to the horizon. She filled her cup, poured it down her throat and groaned.
"It's late," she said finally. "I have to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
She stood up and walked down the hill, leaving Stóvan staring at the burning wrecks. The fire seemed to settle down slowly. It will be away until tomorrow. He watched the fire for a while. Finally he collected the remnants of the meal and stood up. Time for date number two.
"You take a weapon with you?"
Sárt fixed the belt and checked the gun once more.
"Safety first, Miss. I've heard the Hunters hadn't checked the area yet."
Mách thought. Good point. Maybe humans had survived. Many of them were stuffed into the ships, it was very probable that at least some of them had survived. And she had heard that humans are quite good at surviving.
"He's right," she said. "Everybody get a weapon."
Amér giggled. "Let's make ka-boom!" she said as she left.
After some minutes she came back. Her belt had two guns and a bunch of ammunition now. And a huge Kéhldrem-sword was on her back.
Mách had decided on her blades. They hadn't failed yet. And, of course, a gun because it was always better to have a distance weapon with you. And Stóvan only got himself a single gun.
"Everyone ready?" Mách asked.
"Let's move!" Amér emitted.
"I'm ready," Stóvan said.
Sárt just nodded.
"Okay, and who gets us the ride?"
All eyes turned to Mách. "Of course..." she said with a serious face.
With slow and loud steps Mách walked to the hangar manager. She stopped some centimetres behind her, folded her arms behind her back and rocked forth and back.
"Chán?" Mách said with a voice, sweet as sugar.
Chán didn't turn around. "What is it today?"
"I need something for a joyride," Mách said.
"And who comes with you?"
"Ummm..."
"You can have a Scérk," Chán said and tossed her a key. "And you drive. In absolutely no case, listen, no case, you let Amér drive. And she also stays away from the cannon."
"Scánkalantesh," Mách said an walked back.
A Scérk, of course. She didn't know what she had expected, but something a bit better. Arách for example. They are slow, but just cool. Eight legs, missiles, laser, particle and projectile cannon, magnificent shape... But they are also a bit too valuable to give them to some children for a spin.
The others looked at her from a corner. Mách waved with the key in her paw.
"Scérk".
The others moaned.
"You can't be serious," Amér said.
"I am," Mách said an turned to the edge in where the Scérks were. "Or rather Chán is."
Scérks were a bit old, but reliable. They were developed long before war and they just added a laser cannon on the top. Usually they were used for patrol tasks because they were perfect for desert and plain ground. Six big wheels with good grip. A good, reliable vehicle. But boring.
Mách pressed the key button and gabbed the ladder. "She wanted me to drive."
"Thought so."
Amér giggled. "Let's go already."
Mách sat down in the chair and adjusted it. She pressed some buttons. The engine started. She moved the steering wheel and adjusted it.
Stóvan sat down in the chair next to her. Amér opened the door to the storage room.
"So much space!" she said and chuckled. "Aw, a cannon!"
"You stay away from that thing," Mách said.
"You always spoil the fun," Amér replied.
Sárt laid his paw onto her shoulder. Amér giggled once more. "Okay, maybe not all fun."
"Stósh, close the door at least," Mách said as Sárt and Amér went into the room.
As they were not going to close the door, Stóvan slammed it. "Hit it," he said.
The vehicle moved some metres and stalled suddenly. Somebody in the room behind her screamed surprised. Mách laughed and started the engine again. A bit more carefully she moved the vehicle forward and through the garage to the exit ramp.
"Did you drive such a thing before?" Stóvan asked.
Mách laughed again. "Not at all."
"I trust you though," Stóvan replied. Then he reached into his trouser bag and took a bar out of it. He tore the paper away and bit a big piece from it. "Hmm, Sráme..."
They crossed the ramp. The gate opened and the sun shone into their faces. Stóvan closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the rays. In the base the air was cleared and cooled all the time. And none of the suns are visible. People avoided going outside. When the both of the suns were arisen the heat outside was almost unbearable.
"Hey, does this thing have a radio?" he asked.
Mách pressed some buttons. The sound of drums appeared. She switched the channel. Lárt guitar. Much better.
"Okay, we'll be there in half an hour," Mách said.
"Why not a bit faster?"
"I'd like to, but this things is a bit old."
He stared out at the plain. The ground was dry and cracked. No hills, no plants. It was almost the complete opposite of the other side of the hills. It was cooler there, not cold, rather pleasant. The parks are green. The wonder of technology and a natural reservoir of water made it possible.
Mách turned the volume up to drown out certain noises from the back room.
"What are you expecting to find there?" Stóvan asked.
"I don't know. Maybe a survivor. Would help my bad conscience. But actually I wanted to get out of that base for a day."
"Hmm," Stóvan said. "Hey, what do you think humans look like?"
"I've heard they look just like us. Just a bit taller. And furless."
"Ew, really?"
"And without tail."
"Disgusting."
"But I'm curious, you know. For years I've fought them, I want see one finally."
The landscape was boring. The only things in sight were the wrecks twenty five kilometres away. They had stopped burning. The sun reflected from the metal.
"Stóvan, I'm driving, move your paw away."
Stóvan licked her neck. "I don't think you could drive against a rock out here."
Mách suddenly turned the wheel. The Scérk went into a skid and Stóvan felt from his chair. Mách drove straight again.
"I think I see your point," Stóvan said as he climbed onto his chair again.
The Scérk stopped between two of the wrecks. Mách opened the door to the back room.
"We've arrived. Get some clothes and we'll explore the area."
Amér chuckled. "It's hot outside..."
She only put on the belt and opened the exit door at the far end of the room. The sun got in. Amér took a deep breath and jumped off. They heard her laughter as she walked out of sight. Mách sighed and kicked Sárt softly.
"Come on."
It was hot. Really hot. Although the second sun hadn't arisen yet.
"She should move before it gets too warm."
She walked on, followed by the guys. She lifted debris, moved metal aside. A bit boring.
"You don't have to follow me," she said. "Go around. Find a way in if you want. Call me then."
"Okay", Stóvan said and walked off into an other direction.
Sárt climbed onto a pile of debris and lay down.
"Don't get fried," Mách shouted.
"I'll take care of myself, Miss."
Mách gave it up. She looked over the debris. Boring. Nothing more but scrap. She wanted to go inside. She had seen enough of those from outside. Hopefully some rooms were still intact.
She roamed around until her communicator yelled.
"Look at what I've found!" Amér screamed cheerfully.
Mách followed the signal and found Amér. Then she took the communicator and called the guys. "Hey, I think you want to see this."
Stóvan looked interested. He saw a human, alive. Amér stood with her left foot on its chest and held her sword against its throat. The human whimpered.
"Isn't it lovely?" Amér asked.
"It's disgusting..." Sárt said.
"I think I'll keep it," Amér said and looked into the face of the human.
"You can't keep it," Mách said.
"I think we should just blow its head away," Sárt said and lifted his gun.
The human stared at the gun with a scared face and tried to move away from it. Amér put more of her weight onto her left food.
"Don't move!" she shouted.
"It can't hear you, Amér."
"If you shout loud enough I think it gets the meaning. And Sárt, lower the gun."
Sárt put the gun back into the holder. "Do what you want, I warned you," he said and went off.
Mách squatted in front of the human. She grabbed its arm. The human whimpered and stared at her. Mách moved her finger along its arm. "Almost furless. Hah. Come here, Stóvan, look at this."
Stóvan moved closer. "I think we're scaring it."
"Of course. What would you say if a human comes along and holds a gun under your muzzle?"
"I'd take my own gun."
Amér reached him a metal object. "Might interest you."
"A human gun?" Stóvan said and looked at the object. It had a very strange shape. He weighed it in his paw and looked into the magazines. Projectile. All human weapons used projectiles. Sometimes they also had some lasers, but only for targeting. And particle weapons seemed to be fully unknown to them. "Can I keep it?"
"Take it," Amér said.
"Look at this," Mách said and lifted the human's paw. "Five fingers."
"Ew", Amér made. "Not very pleasant. It must have problems to coordinate them."
"Well, we could help it," Mách said and took one of her blades.
The humans whimpered and struggled as Mách moved the blade to its paw to remove the fifth finger.
"Mách, don't. You scare it," Amér said.
"It's yours." Mách put the blade away again. "Get it to the Scérk, maybe there are more around."
"Okay, okay," Amér said and lifted her foot from the human's chest.
She signed the human to stood up, aiming with one gun at it. Then Amér grabbed it's upper arm and dragged it to the Scérk.
"Be careful, Sál would kill me if it gets the control over the Scérk."
"Yes, yes..." she said as she walked away.
Stóvan aimed at a wall and shot the human gun. It made a small bump into the metal.
"Weak."
"But still dangerous. Stósh, she wasn't wearing a shirt. She wasn't wearing anything. That was very dangerous."
"You're always worrying too much."
"I don't want her to be killed."
"It'd have been her own fault," Stóvan said. He put off his shirt, wrapped it over a piece of scrap and shot at it. Then he looked at the shirt again. "See, really weak" he said and showed her the unharmed shirt.
"As I've said, if she had put her shirt on..."
"Nothing happened."
Mách got silent. Yes, nothing had happened, that was true. It bothered her though. She walked along the wall.
"Oh, well", she sighed. "Come on, Stóvan."
"Yes."
She went back to the vehicle and opened the rear door.
"Stósh," she said and slammed the door shut again.
"What?" Stóvan asked and reached for the handle.
"I'd really recommend not to open it. She's playing with her new toy."
Stóvan's paw jerked back immediately. Mách climbed up the ladder at the outside of the Scérk. On the top was the laser cannon. She sat down into the chair and activated it.
"What are you going to do?" Stóvan asked.
"Guess," Mách answered and turned the cannon at the wall of metal.
"Oh," Stóvan made and folded his ears with his paws.
The laser loaded and fired. Slowly Mách cut a big hole into the wall. She shut down the cannon and get out of the seat.
"Salá! Our entrance."
"Good job."
The inner was heavily damaged. The rooms were either completely ripped apart or burned out. She saw bodies of humans lying around. Since the ship fell onto ground with nose first the bridge and the first metres were crashed completely. The rest was burned.
"Mách, look at this."
Mách turned to the voice. Stóvan was in an other room. He stood in from of some drawers.
"The contents are intact!" Stóvan said.
"Stósh. Let me see."
The drawers were filled with food. Strange stuff. Most of it was a bit burnt, too, but some was still intact. And maybe edible.
"Look for something like a bag, we'll take that with us."
"Okay."
Stóvan opened some more drawers and cupboards. He found some plastic bags and put everything which looked usable into it. Mách took a small bar out of the back. She tore the paper and bit off a bit and spit it out again. "What is that?" she said and threw the bar away.
She noticed that her right paw was covered with the brown stuff. "Oh, stósh." Whatever it was, it was disgusting. And she couldn't rub it out of her fur, either. She held her paw away from her body. "Kás!"
Stóvan watched her and closed the bag carefully. "I think there's some water in the Scérk," he said and lifted the back onto his back.
"Yes, yes," Mách answered. "Go there, I'll look around some minutes."
Stóvan left the room. Mách looked around. There had been something like a water bowl, but it was melted and the tap didn't work. She turned the wheels but nothing happened. She turned around and gasped
A human face was centimetres in front of her snout. The human said something. She quickly pulled her left blade but the human grabbed her left arm rudely. It squeezed the arm until Mách was not able to hold the blade anymore. It fell onto the floor and the human grabbed her other arm. Its face grinned. Mách was scared. Suddenly she heard two bangs and the human let her arms go. It collapsed and fell onto ground. Mách looked around and saw Sárt standing in the doorframe, packing his gun into its holder again.
"We should get out of here," he said and turned.
Mách nodded, took her blade and ran back to the Scérk. He climbed in and looked into the store room. Stóvan and Amér was there and Sárt was climbing in through the rear door.
"Amér, throw that human out!", Mách shouted.
"Aw, come on," Amér began.
"Throw it out already!"
"Okay," Amér said and pushed the human out through the rear door.
Sárt shot two times and closed the door. He looked into Mách's eyes and nodded. Mách started the engine and the Scérk moved on.
"There must be more survivors," she said. "I'll call Sál, she has to send some Hunters here."
"Do that," Amér said and leaned back. A nice trip, she thought.
Mách made the call and relaxed a bit. After some minutes she could see two planes starting from the base. Good. Stóvan sat down next to her again and started to stroke her tail.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes," she answered and sighed. "He would have killed me, you know. This insanity..."
The ugly face of the grinning human hung in her mind. It was a bad memory.
"Sh, sh," Stóvan made and put his arm around her shoulder. "It's over now."
"It had been a bad idea. A very bad idea."
"Naw. It just went a bit wrong."
Kás, why can't this thing be faster? she thought. She turned the speed lever to maximum. Her heartbeat was calming, but still very fast. A very bad idea.
"Ey, what's in the bag?" Amér asked.
"Loot," Mách answered. "It's supposed to be food I think, but the heat made it inedible."
"I'll try it anyway," Amér said and opened the bag.
She found bars and bags of melted stuff. Nothing of interest. She wasn't hungry at the moment, she'll try it later. Sárt licked her neck from behind. She giggled.
Stóvan closed the door.
"It's over, Mách..."
"I hope so."
"The Hunters will clean the area and then the workers will take the ships apart. In two or three days nothing will be left."
He gently licked her cheek and stroked her left shoulder. Mách concentrated on driving. The Scérk moved with sixty five kilometres per hour over the plain. The hills of the station moved slowly closer. Behind the hill they could see the second sun rising. Home, she thought.
"I want to rest..."