Fangs of Fate (Untish #1)

Chapter 64

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

CHANCE

“The building is just ahead, Chance,” Shae’s voice guided Damaris and I as we hiked up the last bluff. We had traveled in silence, other than for Shae’s direction. I could hear the slight buzz of the drone overhead. Soon, we’d have answers. One good thing about adrenaline, it blocked out all other annoying distractions. Including egotistical males and attractive blondes with haunting eyes.

I avoided a tree branch and motioned for Damaris to do the same, shining my light on the base of it. Black. The closer we got, the more unnatural the trees became. They weren’t just grey anymore; no, they were black with moldy white spots oozing puss. Dark magic. We were close.

Damaris avoided the branch but stepped on another. Snap! We both froze. Nothing, no one, no movement. Thank fucking blood. Hiking in the dark was difficult for many reasons, but remaining quiet at tactical was certainly at the top. I had crunched a few pinecones early on and decided we needed to slow our speed down if we wanted to remain as stealthy as possible.

“Ok, you should be coming into view any minute now,” Shae spoke.

We crested a hill and paused. Buildings filled the valley below. Dozens of large warehouses. It looked like an old barracks site or distribution plant. I’d never heard of it, but from the looks of the buildings and the wiring on the lampposts, it had been here for a while. The perfect place for off-the-books research.

“Spotted. Can you get a visual on any movement?” I asked.

“Mapping it now,” Shae spoke, her voice low.

I didn’t see much from here. The few lampposts that occupied the valley below were few and far apart. I scanned the yard, and in the corner, I spotted motion.

“I’ve got movement at the western corner.”

“Got it. Zooming in now,” Shae said. “It looks like two guaramen?”

“Any other movement?” Damaris asked from beside me.

“I see a squad in the northern corner and possible movement in the eastern quadrant.”

I scanned the yard. I couldn’t see the eastern half well from here, but the movement to the west caught my eye. It appeared to be one individual, not a squad which was odd.

“Any idea where the main server is?” Damaris pulled out his binoculars and began searching the yard.

“Yeah, and it’s not great. It’s right where I’m picking up on movement in the western quadrant, the third building to your left, two in.” Shae paused. “Guys, from what I’m picking up on—” Her voice cut out.

I tapped my com but could only hear static. Shit.

“Shae?” I spoke into my com. Nothing, no response. I called her name again but was met with only static. “Looks like we’re on our own.” I started down the hill toward the server. Damaris followed me closely.

We reached the outskirts and I tried to reach Shae again. Still, nothing. I could hear the drone from above, but our coms were down. I approached the third building, as instructed, and then paused. Peering around the corner I could make out the one that held the server.

The ground was muddy, and my boots suctioned in with each step. Not great for covertness.

“Ok, we’re going to have to be quick. You ready?” I looked to Damaris. He was young, but he had balls, I’d give him that.

“Ready.”

“Picking up on anything?”

“You mean other than the creepy magic I’d picked up on at each settlement during the attack?”

I sighed. He couldn’t just answer it like a normal person.

“Stay close.” I pulled out my pistol in one hand and gripped my club with the other. I looked in his eyes to ensure he heard me and then turned and rounded the building. It was about thirty yards to the next building that held the server. Each step squished the mud. I kept peering around expecting to see a creature at any moment. Nothing. We approached the building and sunk into it as close as we could. Damaris checked his weapons before scanning our surroundings. I didn’t see anything, no box or access point from this side. Just perfect.

We crept alongside the building.

“Hey, boss. Check it.” Damaris shined his light on a small device attached to the building’s side. I paused and approached it. It was stuck to the metal wall with magnets and was blinking. A charge. Shit. Either the base had this as a contingency plan, or we weren’t the only players here. I exhaled through my teeth. We needed Shae and insight. I tapped my com again. Zilch. It still just buzzed with static. Shae was not an option.

“Any chance you can disarm these?” It would be a miracle if he knew how. I never did well with that part of training.

“As a matter of fact, I might.”

“I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.” I slapped him on the back. “Stay here and see what you can do, I’m heading for the server.” I scanned the length of the building. Several other charges were spaced apart. If this building had it, it was likely the others did too.

Damaris nodded at me while placing the flashlight between his teeth. I began to trot down the building. The cool night air I was accustomed to was now murky, warm, and unpleasant. Odd. This whole place felt unnatural.

At the corner, I scanned the yard with my light and froze. In front of me was a large aluminum box, just like Shae had suggested. But that wasn’t what gave me pause. Squatting in front of the box was a large male. He was hunched over and actively typing into a device. He slammed the box shut.

“All set,” he called out. He turned and I got my first glance at the ruddy buzz cut. Arche O’Connel.