Sang the Stray (Completed)

40. Voltzach

Above me floated Kota, using telekinesis to toss boulders at gargoyle-like creatures.  They had large, grayish bat bodies with wolfish faces.  They were incredibly fast, diving like hawks, the mountainside surrounded by the vicious creatures that shrieked and howled as they attacked my friends.  Once Luke entered with the rear guard, his cyclonic wind ability made the biggest difference.  It vastly affected the gargoyles' ability to fly and funneled them together.  Still, almost a kasse passed before the last Ionoth was sliced down by North's flaming swords.  Even I was feeling the strain of enhancing the others' abilities and  we spent some time resting.  The boys passed  around the  energy bars to replenish strength.  

"There were twice as many as last time," Silas commented, the first thing that any of them had said other than the verbal orders or warnings shouted like, "to the left" or "behind you".  Some of the others nodded wearily, wiping sweat from their brows.

Tsee Blackbourne said, "I think this space needs to be reclassified.  We may have needed to call in another squad for assistance, if it wasn't for Miss Sorenson."

"Why Ionoth attack people," I asked, "They need to eat?" 

Ista Green answered, "It seems to vary with the space and type of Ionoth.  In some places there is no apparent food source, and we don't even know if they have to eat, but they either turn on each other or start to roam.  That's when they prey on whatever they can until being away from their home space causes them to fade.  Then there are roamers and statics which are not aggressive and leave us alone if we do nothing classified as a threat."

"Like the 'tenders' in Boulder Rotation," Nathan added.  "If an Ionoth doesn't attack, then we leave them be." I was glad to hear that the Setari didn't have to kill all the Ionoth they came across.

North said, "And, keeping up with the known types of Ionoth is much easier than dealing with new varieties."  

The end of the break was called and we were soon in a night time space with a huge lake surrounded by long-branched trees.  Above the water floated balls of light about the size of a fist, that gave off a soft illumination.  It was exceedingly cold and the still lake a black mirror of the lights above.  Half the squad split off and disappeared into the dark.  There were two creatures in this space that were clever and did not approach immediately.  Instead, they were fast and sly, moving quietly among the trees.   A shrill scream ripped apart the silence and Gabriel's arms wrapped tightly around me when I startled violently.  

"I hate that sound, too," he whispered into my ear then quickly licked my neck.  I pulled away quickly as he said, "Mine."  

"Gabriel," I whined, rubbing saliva off.  

"Too late, Trouble.  I licked it, its mine," Gabriel claimed with a grin, earning a head chop from Luke who stood nearby.

"Quit claiming parts of my Sugar," Luke said.  "You already have both her cheeks."

Sean tsked them both and reminded them we were in the middle of a mission.  Before regaining their serious miens, they did both sputter a bit when he told them they could "flirt with Miss Sorenson on their own time." Soon, another yowl rang through the dark and the others returned to the Gate. 

The next space resembled a western ghost town.  A tumbleweed even blew across our path as dust devils swirled and danced in between buildings.  The temperature change from the chill of the last space and the heat of the punishing sun above us now was quite drastic, and I was thankful for the nanosuits temperature regulation.  Fourth Squad was even more tense in this Space than any other.  We moved forward in a close formation with cautious steps.  Peering from behind North and Nathan's shoulders I saw the reason for their caution.  Human-shaped figures with black shadow bodies and white masks for faces were scattered about in tortured poses. 

Suddenly, one of the nearest figures leapt down from a rambled porch to the roadway and flashed an evil grin.  The guys all quickly assumed fighting stances. 

"Are people-sort Ionoth?" I asked.

"Voltzach," snarled North.  Then he and Nathan both released a firestorm, the blasts quickly eliminating five of the Ionoth. Three of the Voltzach tried to break away and fly out another gate.  Victor cursed low as he and Kota pursued them. The others dispatched the remaining Voltzach.  They all seemed to fight these particular creatures with an intense anger. It was clear that they hated these things.

Kota and Victor rejoined the group and we started to travel back to KOTIS.  Once in the Gate Lock we waited to be scanned and red light flickered over Nathan.

"You've got a stickie, Nate," Ista Green said. "You'll be coming with me."

"Ugh," Nathan groaned as he moved to the corner.

"Stickie?" I asked.

Tsee Blackbourne answered, "A parasitic variety of Ionoth.  Weak but with an ability to conceal itself even from my Sight talents.  They feed off human hosts and begin to replicate themselves to new hosts through physical contact."

"A plaguish nuisance," Ista Green put in.  "If they're left too long, they begin to corrupt their hosts," he added, grinning.

"They're removed using sonics," Tsee Blackbourne continued, as if he hadn't interrupted.

Ista Green joined Nathan in the corner, giving him a sympathetic smile.  "Also known as an Instant Headache Treatment."

Kota turned to Tsee Blackbourne and asked, "Since Nathan will be in MedBay should I assign someone else to stay with Sang and me tonight?"

Instead of answering right away, Tsee Blackbourne turned to Ista Green.  "What do you think?  There have been no more instances of unconscious gate travel.  It would reduce the strain on our schedule if she only required one minder during sleep shifts."

"Should be fine," Ista Green replied and handed Kota a small device.  "Take this portable scanner and just let it run while you are sleeping.  It will send an alarm to Tsee Blackbourne and myself if there is any Ena activity."

"Alright," Kota said.

I gave Nathan a finger wave as we left him and Sean behind. Poor Nathan.