Part 16 - Eerie Valley

The sun lit up the buildings around them, eerie and hopeful, dust starting to settle on bodies and blood. They finished preparing their packs and arms, armor, body and face smeared with dirt and blood, looking disheveled and veteran. They were quiet as they left the building, the brightening sky a piercing blue, not a cloud in sight. The air was crisp and Zo'ruuks partners breath were visible in the morning air. They stepped over lifeless bodies, through puddles of blood and around rubble. What a sight, Zo'ruuk thought, if this was the beginning what would they be up to next? He pushed the grim thought out of his mind as he removed T-40 to accompany Alexi to the craft. Alexi nodded and made his way over, T-40 chattering nonsense along the way. They got to the edge of town and the tarmac and concrete turned to sand and rock. The beginnings of the mountain weren't far off, but they trekked it with ease, Jackal's yawning was the only noise they hear until they reached the first bend. "These mountains are riddle with valleys, caves and treacherous cliffs. It might take a while, but we will find their base." Fortuna said, stopping to look around. Zo'ruuk turned and nodded as they started to crest the first hill. He turned and looked out over the land, scarce dry vegetation and cacti littered the land, shaded by dunes of sand and rocks looking out with their silent vigil. He took a deep breath, "Let's do this guys, for Nikolai, for us." Smiling, this seemed to lift everyones spirits. Zo'ruuk had to remember they weren't tireless like he was, and the battle had definitely took it's toll, even for seasoned guardians. "Let's play this slow and smart guys, we'll get there." He said, not only lifting their spirits but giving a bit of release as well. They walked and walked and soon entered towering cliffs on either side, they moved along slowly, covering all angles, they were wired now, the aspect of an ambush keeping them on keen edge. The canyons and valleys were cooler than open desert, more vegetation growing along the thin creeks that had snaked in and out of the mountains. They stopped for water, keeping quiet, they searched every nook and cranny, shallow dark caves and dips in the ground. Not 5 hours in Jackal found tracks. "This do be the ungodly tracks of da creeps we recked earlier." He said, kneeling and checking the tracks. "An they do be fresh." He said smiling his wicked smile, bringing a devilish look to his hooded face. The team followed quietly, guns raised and ready in a moments notice. They followed the tracks through a pass, the sun was now peeking over the canyons tall walls, giving bright light to the cold, shadowy place. Through the pass they found a large open space, they ducked behind a large boulder near the entrance to the valley. Zo'ruuk nodded to Fortuna and she scuttled up the boulder to peer over. "What do you see?" Zo'ruuk asked. "A ton of vegetation, and a large clearing that leads to the large mouth of what looks like a deep cave," She said, peering through her scope. "Looks promising," she chuckled. "No movement?" Nikolai asked. "None, all quiet, but this place seems eerie don't you think?" She said, more caution in her voice. They all nodded in agreement, "Well, lets head up, hug the wall, standard formation." They moved along, half hidden by shadow and close by vegetation, in just a few minutes they reached the mouth of the cave with no resistance. "Visors and Comms Check." Zo'ruuk whispered and he heard the tone of comms connecting as each entered the channel. "Lets do this Comrades." Nikolai said, a burning look in his eyes. Zo'ruuk nodded and they breached the entrance in formation, guns at shoulders they look into the large mouth of the cave. Zo'ruuks visor didn't pick up any movement but Jackal pointed to the many many tracks of the Fallen. That must've been the force they encountered last night Zo'ruuk thought. "They might know we are here, and they are probably pissed," Zo'ruuk whispered "go dark unless you make contact or find something of value." They all nodded to each other, and as a team they entered the dark cave, dimly lit from the rising sun. Nikolai and Jackal had crooked smiles, but Zo'ruuk knew that they were for totally different reasons. Nikolai could taste the revenge and he knew it, Jackal could taste the blood lust creeping back to him like an old Lover. Fortuna was silent and stoic, switching off that perky self into a cold heart, that always shocked Zo'ruuk. Zo'ruuk moved into the cave, not knowing what awaited, but he did not know fear. To Be Continued... -Hope you guys enjoyed! Please like and comment! I will try to upload as much as possible as I'm going through a move but more is on the way!-