Talons in the Night - A Horror Story

[Eizoryu]

The mission had been an utter disaster. The entire regiment had been decimated, save for five battle-weary survivors. They had managed to escape, and sought shelter in the steep cliffs around them. It was a daunting task, if one less so than the battle they had just survived. Rocks made a habit of falling nearby, and a fierce, chill wind threatened to blast them off the narrow crag on which they walked. Every one of the exhausted, fully armored climbers was a soldier of decent rank.

Captain Tobias Upton was relatively young, with medium-to-dark brown hair and stormy-sea-blue eyes. He was not naturally athletically built, but training over the years had toned his body to a point where he was clearly muscular, but not grossly so. His grim, determined features provided a portal into his mind, where his thoughts raced around one important point: Keep everyone safe. On his back, in addition to the servo-augmented armor that they were all required to wear, was a pack full of standard-issue field gear.

Just behind him was the First Lieutenant Chitose Miyagi. Her slanted, brown eyes watched her comrade concernedly beneath knit brows. She, like Captain Upton in front of her, was well-toned in addition to being naturally slender. Though she carried the same weaponry as the rest, she was not of a fighting temperament; rather, Lieutenant Miyagi was essentially the team’s medic. She always carried first-aid equipment in the place of some of the weapons that were standard-issue.

Behind her was Sergeant Major Kyrie Frost, who was holding on to a crack in the rock face for balance. She glared into the biting wind, her bright green eyes fiery and resolute. She, if no one else, was the fiercest soldier of the team, though sometimes her hot temper got her into a little deeper trouble than she thought. Major Frost was also a skilled knife wielder, and carried at least three blades at all times. No one ever saw her without them.

Fourth down the line was Private Trent Tellers, who was panting and trying to not to betray his panic to the rest of the team. Technically, he was not supposed to even be in the regiment when they were sent to this desolate place. But he had made the mistake of cutting training and stowing aboard the transport, not thinking that it was outbound to a place like this. His blue eyes shone with a terror he had never felt so intensely before, and sweat dripped down the side of his face, despite the fact that the armor was built with an internal temperature control.

Finally, in the back of the line, was Second Lieutenant Nathaniel Stryszyk, an equally fit, if slightly stockier, man as Tobias. He looked down at his feet, his gray-blue eyes noting how far one would have to fall if they took a wrong step or tripped. Lieutenant Stryszyk was the captain’s best friend, and had been since before they joined the military. They had their arguments, but they trusted each other in a pinch. He was also the demolitions expert of the troupe, always carrying a few extra grenades of assorted varieties.

“Hey! Why’d you stick me back here again?” Nathaniel asked of Captain Upton, using the communications system built into their helmets. Without so much as turning around, the captain gave a swift reply.

“Because you’re the one most likely to punch a hostile off the cliff if it scares you.” This was a true statement, and one that Tobias had not bothered to conceal from the group. It elicited a few chuckles from Chitose and Kyrie, who both glanced back over their shoulders at the second lieutenant. “Hey guys, I found a place where we can stay for the night,” came the captain’s voice again. “It’s just around this corner.” Everyone looked forward anxiously, hoping it was safer than the narrow walkway they were standing on. Tobias disappeared around the corner, and Chitose peeked around, following the captain with her eyes.

“What is it?” the private asked, almost unnecessarily as the rest of the group rounded the rocky corner.

“A cave, cadet,” Major Frost replied, not quite irked enough to spit fire at the mention of what was a stupid question in her eyes. “Doesn’t look very big, Upton,” she added, crossing her arms as the five stood staring at the rather cramped entry to the cavern, on a ledge covered in dry brush.

“She’s got a point there, Toby,” Lieutenant Stryszyk agreed. Miyagi turned to the two and narrowed her almond-shaped eyes.

“You haven’t even been inside yet. Don’t judge it. It may well be the only safe spot out here in this godforsaken wasteland,” she snapped. Obviously the first lieutenant was of short temper at the moment. She stepped towards the mouth of the cave. “I’ll investigate it.”

“No, you won’t, Lieutenant Miyagi. You’re our medic, and you’re staying out here while I check it out,” Captain Upton argued sternly, holding onto her shoulder and pulling her back. She sighed, looking back at him.

“Fine. But be careful. We can’t afford to lose you. I don’t want to lose you,” she cautioned, pausing before saying the last sentence on a private channel. Tobias nodded, then ventured into the black interior of the hole carved into the cliff’s face. As if on cue, the wind stopped. The air grew tense, then a light shone out of the darkness, and the captain’s voice was audible through their comlinks.

“You guys, bring in a bunch of those dried-out bushes before the wind picks up again. We’ll need them for the night ahead.”