Chapter 17 Brynn #2
I signaled to the remaining members of CG's crew, directing them to maintain a perimeter while Nim and Sim executed their flanking maneuver. Xy and Clitasoxdfwe’h looked at me strangely, a question in his eyes.
Now was not exactly the time to mention about the many hours I spent on online war games.
Alas, the reality really was different than simulation. There was no reset button in this game.
CG's remaining crew responded with practiced efficiency, shifting positions to cover all approaches, even Snarz who I belatedly realized was cowering behind Elder Onork.
Internally, I sighed. I couldn't really blame him, no matter the planet, self-preservation was more important than being part of a team.
Another contraction—for that's what I now realized these pains were—gripped me, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Not now, I silently pleaded. Not in the middle of a firefight.
The attackers advanced, emboldened by what they perceived as weakening resistance. Little did they know what awaited them from behind.
"Nif, Clitasoxdfwe’h—take the passage through that collapsed corridor," I directed, pointing to a narrow opening partially hidden by debris. "It should lead behind their position."
My plan was forming rapidly, fueled by equal parts desperation and adrenaline. If we could catch the ambushers in a crossfire, we might gain the advantage we so desperately needed.
Clitasoxdfwe’h looked at Xy, who nodded, his keen eyes already mapping the route. "And if it's blocked?"
"Improvise," I replied, managing a tight smile despite another wave of pain building in my abdomen.
I turned to Clitasoxdfwe’h. "Keep their attention focused here. Make them think we're pinned down and running out of options."
"That won't be hard to sell," he muttered, glancing at my pale face.
The pain crested, and I pressed a hand against a broken column to steady myself. My legs trembled, threatening to buckle beneath me. The baby shifted again, more forcefully this time, as if responding to my distress.
"Brynn?" Clitasoxdfwe’h's voice held genuine concern now. Xy immediately at his side assessing me.
I forced myself to straighten. "I'm fine," I said automatically.
"You're not," Xy countered. "But first we need to end this, and then we'll get you the help you need."
I nodded, grateful for his pragmatism. No false reassurances, just a promise to keep moving forward. Clitasoxdfwe’h wanted to complain but one look from Xy shut him up.
Nif appeared briefly at my side, his expression grim. "Ready when you are."
"Circle west," I instructed. "There should be an access point near that toppled obelisk. If I'm right about White Tribe architecture, it'll lead to a passage running parallel to the main path."
Nif's eyes narrowed as he studied my face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing that can't wait," I replied firmly. "Go. We don't have much time."
He hesitated, clearly wanting to press the issue, but another burst of enemy fire decided for him. With a final concerned glance, he melted into the shadows, Xy close behind.
I watched them go, then turned to Clitasoxdfwe’h. "Now we wait."
Waiting proved excruciating. Each second stretching like an eternity as we held our defensive line.
Our numbers were thinning—two of CG's crew had taken hits, though thankfully none fatal.
The pain in my abdomen came in increasingly regular waves, forcing me to time my breathing carefully to avoid giving away my condition.
The sacred hiscat remained pressed against my leg, its warm presence oddly comforting. Occasionally it would look up at me with those unsettlingly intelligent eyes, as if measuring my resolve.
"They should be in position by now," Clitasoxdfwe’h murmured, checking his weapon.
I nodded, unable to trust my voice as another contraction built. The baby was moving too much. Too soon. We needed to end this fight and reach the heart of the ruins where Onork believed we'd find the knowledge to save my child.
I was beginning to fear the worst when a commotion erupted from the attackers' position. Shouts of surprise turned to cries of pain as Nim and Sim sprung their trap.
"Now!" I called to CG's remaining crew. "Push forward!"
Chaos erupted as Nim and Sim struck from behind, catching our attackers in the deadly crossfire I'd planned. The ambushers scattered, their coordinated attack dissolving into panicked confusion.
Some fled toward the desert outskirts, abandoning their weapons in their haste to escape. Others found themselves surrounded, dropping to their knees in surrender as CG's crew closed in.
I stepped out from behind our cover, one hand pressed against my swollen belly as another contraction rippled through me. Despite the pain, I couldn't suppress a surge of triumph. We'd won this round.
"Disarm them," I ordered CG's mercenaries, who moved efficiently to collect weapons from the defeated attackers.
Nim was at my side in an instant, his eyes quickly assessing my condition. "You're in pain," he stated, not a question but a certainty.
I nodded, no longer able to hide it. "The baby... I don't know what's - what's wrong."
Sim joined us, blood splattered across his fur but otherwise unharmed. "What? Are you hurt?"
"No," I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt. "But we need to reach the center of the ruins."
Nim's expression hardened with determination. "Then we move now."
Xy approached, dragging one of the captured ambushers. "This one says he works for Kilo and had been posted in this section for years. They were ordered to prevent anyone from reaching the White Tribe archives. "
"Where were our sentries?" Sim glared at Xy. He didn't waited for him to answer. "Unfortunately, there's no time for that. We need to secure the White Tribe."
I straightened, fighting through another wave of pain. The path ahead now lay open, leading deeper into the heart of the White Tribe ruins. Somewhere in those ancient structures lay the knowledge we sought—information that might save my rapidly developing child.
"Let's go," I said, taking a step forward. My legs nearly betrayed me, but Nim's strong arm slipped around my waist, supporting me without making it obvious to the others.
The sacred hiscat trotted ahead, its tail held high as if leading the way. Perhaps it was.
As our group moved forward, I pressed a hand over my abdomen, feeling the life within responding to my touch. Hold on, little one, I thought fiercely. Just a little longer.
Plus, I need to explain to one of your dads that I wasn't a warrior queen from Earth.
I almost laughed when Xy tried to discreetly step back from me when I walked too close to him.
What, he was now afraid of me attacking him?
Oh right, I was twirling the laser pointer, I mean laser pen with my fingers like a fidget toy. Maybe I should give this back to Sim.