This post started off as a one-off response to a writing prompt in the Freewriters Community. Then I wrote a part 2 (with the outcome literally determined by a coin toss).
But that naturally leads to a part 3, which is where this short series comes in. I felt that doing it in just one post really wouldn't give enough time to build up a bit of suspense 😀 Enjoy !
I must admit I took a few days' away from this series, as I was trying to work out where it was going and avoid "soggy middle" syndrome. But I think I know what to do next....
Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio
"So how well do you know the farmer who owns this barn ?"
Dafang tried to ask the question as if it was just mild curiosity motivating him. The same tone he'd use when he asked a chef what was in the soup. But Wardek picked up on what he meant.
"Joah and I go back a ways. He's not ASU, but he's a retired veteran all the same. Armourer on the assault ship Fire From Above. I reckon I can trust him not to tell anyone we're here."
"So what's the plan ? We've been here for three days so far, lying low powered down and doing nothing."
Wardek nodded. It was clear that inaction wasn't in his nature either. "If Admiral Maraz is true to form, he'll follow protocol. He's got three simultaneous problems; us, whatever is destroying settlements, and Mr Garnes as self-appointed governor. To him, the Garnes issue will wait. It's clear that three days ago that we were the priority. Two more days where we don't raise our heads or cause him a problem and the protocol is that the colony destruction switches from secondary to priority, and vice versa."
"And then ?"
"Then, Governor, we still stay hidden and see if he actually can solve the problem. After all, it's not like we were able to, were we ?"
Dafang grimaced. He didn't hold out much confidence in the idea. "If what your drones picked up is true, Garnes was able to get Admiral Maraz here with a story about Einheriar infiltration. He might even believe it himself. But from what Helen told me before she was swallowed up, it's some kind of native lifeform doing it, not the Einheriar."
Before Wardek could answer, they heard some kind of commotion outside the barn. Wardek waved a hand signal to the other ASU veterans to get aboard the shuttle. Dafang didn't know BatLang, but the sign was clear enough and he headed for the boarding ramp.
As he reached it the barn door was flung open, revealing two figures. One was the farmer, Joah. He didn't recognise the other, but he too was dressed in the standard dark grey coveralls that were the de facto uniform of the colonists.
Joah was trying to hold the stranger back, but the man was stockier and looked a couple of decades younger with the strength advantage that gave.
"Hah ! I knew you were hiding something big, old man !" the younger man shouted, his tone one of gleeful gloating.
"Don't you be saying nothing, Hargen ! This is nothing that concerns you."
"Too late, you old fool. I already called Meranda Base to tell 'em something was up here. What the.... !"
Hargen hadn't expected Wardek to be right behind the door. So he was thoroughly surprised when the veteran stepped out and hit him with impressive force and accuracy. The farmer went down like a sack of goatfeed. Not dead, his chest was still moving to show he was breathing, but it looked like a while before he'd regain consciousness.
"I'm sorry, Wardek..." Joah wrung his hands with guilt and misery in his face.
Wardek patted him on the shoulder. "Nothing to apologise for, mate. You're not responsible for your idiot neighbours. We'll split, but thank you for your hospitality. Now get back home and deny everything when they come knocking."
Harmes was already flicking switches to get the shuttle powered up when Wardek reached the boarding ramp. "Same as before guys, we meander around giving of the detector signals of a hover car until we can find somewhere safe again. Out of the pilot's seat, Harmes; I'm driving. You power up the turret, just in case."
The shuttle emerged from the hanger, moving slowly; there were only a few centimetres to spare on each side.
As it did, a large shape rose above the horizon. An elongated teardrop shape, light grey and blue camouflage flickering along it's surface in rippling waves. A dozen turrets swivelled rapidly, each one drawing a bead on the shuttle.
"Crap..." said Wardek in a flat tone. It was an Imperial light cruiser.
"This is Kailen Hamatre," an over-amplified voice came from the cruiser, the distortion doing little to hide the meaning of the staccato voice. "Land immediately and prepare to be boarded. If you try to run we will shoot to kill. You and the former Governor are now my prisoners until we reach Meranda Base."
Previous posts in this series;
- @alonicus/24-january-2025-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2626-mother-love - the post that started it all, and introduced the spine-spiders
- @alonicus/escape-from-the-caves-of-meranda-iv - the sequel, where the science team escapes back to base and recommends the planet not be colonised. They were too late.
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-1 - we meet the Governor Dafang and get the first hints that the colony isn't going to plan
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-2 - Governor Dafang takes a trip to the Greenfields settlement, only to find it is not there any more
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-3 - a fractious meeting of the co0lony's government, and a worrying foreshadow
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-4 - this is where things start to really go sideways for the colony
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-5 - Doctor Helen Thwaites returns to Meranda to reveal the cover-up
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-6 - Garnes tries to arrest Helen, and gets told to go away
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-7 - Meranda Base finds itself surrounded by a broad band of patterns
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-8 - Mr Garnes makes his move
@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-9 - Mr Garnes' juniors aren't impressed by his self-promotion
@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-10 - Wardek breaks Dafang out of prison, but Doctor Thwaites is swallowed up by the ground. - @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-11 - The fugitives use micro-drones to find out what Garnes is up to.
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-12 - Dafang finds out that Wardek was actually a senior NCO in one of the toughest units the Empire has