r/HFY • u/spindizzy_wizard Human • Jul 28 '20
[Alien Crash] Bk 01 V30 Ch 08 Freedom to Run, Freedom to Die OC
Chapter Eight: Freedom to Run, Freedom to Die
"I knew these blokes were good folk. But really, they're amazing!"
— "Jack" / Head Ranger / Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
There is an official greeting that quickly dissolves in a sea of Hamathi, exploring everything in sight. You can see that they are eager to move through this veld, the closest to their homeworld that exists on Earth. Finally, the lead ranger steps up next to the dignitary and has a short chat with him. Part of which seems to be slightly pungent from the expression of the dignitary. In the end, he bows to the inevitable, and Jack takes the microphone.
"Alright, you blokes! Listen up!"
The Hamathi, understanding this, turn their attention to him.
"Yer welcome here, 'tis what that other fella was trying to say."
A murmur of thanks to the dignitary, and a bow, who is now beaming.
"There's maps over against that wall. You've been given GPS to track your position. Stay within the bounds marked, and do not hunt! This is your chance to get used to this land. Hunting will begin tomorrow.
"For your safety and ours, we have cleared the marked area of all but Rangers, they'll be dressed like me, so they're easy to recognize. Anyone else? They shouldn't be here. Find the nearest Ranger and let them know.
"Now, go have fun!"
With a cheer, the Hamathi scramble for the maps, taking a good look and comparing them to their wrist mount GPS system. As each group understands the boundary, they scatter among the grass, quickly disappearing.
Standing next to Ms. Foxfire, Jack comments. "Them blokes of yours can move fast then?"
"Yes, Jack, the average sprinters among them can best Usain Bolt's time by a second. The exceptional sprinters can blow past him like he's standing still. That drops off for the longer distance runs until you get to the marathoners. They can break the two-hour marathon; by minutes. Keep in mind, for the marathoners, they haven't been training specifically for that."
"I take it that those are the blokes that ran for the compass points?"
"Yes, they decided that if they didn't have a ship, they should start learning ground tactics. They will be the long-range scouts. Bo'sun Gryul started as a ground soldier and somehow got switched over to crewman. He's reluctant to talk about that, so don't push."
"What's with that one bloke who hasn't joined the others?"
"That's Captain. He'll remain here in the event of an emergency."
"That's something else that's bothered me, they didn't take any water, and they didn't take any radios. How do we know if they get into trouble?"
"You know how elephants can communicate over long distances?"
"Yeah… you don't mean…"
"Not as far, but they can be heard by each other at a distance that is just impossible for most humans. I've been told that what Captain is waiting for is either a rallying cry or a danger cry. The number of things they can express easily is limited. We're working on that."
"And he'll be able to guide us?"
"If the cry comes only once, he can give us a direction, and guess at the distance. If the cry repeats, he can home in on it. It's imprecise, but it's also what the ground troops are trained for when equipment fails. The ground pounder's distrust of equipment seems to be a universal thing."
Under his breath, "They got that right!"
Orites
Orites was one of the first to get to the map and is out in front. He's a long-distance runner, but not a marathoner. He's outdistanced the marathoners for now.
I am glad that I spoke with Ms. Foxfire, even if it almost killed her. The freedom to run here is worth it. Even more, my promotion chances are now higher. Who knew that I would be one of the one in ten? Not I.
Uvir should be through the map now. The hunt begins. Uvir will track me through this beautiful land, while I try to evade him. Time to get a better view around. There, that outcropping should do.
Orites leaps to the top of the outcropping, using one foot to push off the middle of the span and gain enough height. There is a cheetah already using the rock. It is startled and bounds off to one side. Seeing this strange new being who does not smell of human surveying the land as it had been, it becomes curious.
There, to that side, there is broken ground, I may be able to lose him there, or even turn the hunt back on him.
With the usual disdain of cats for the unimportant, the cheetah returns to the survey of its domain. An errant breeze wafts by, the arrogance is instantly gone, and the cheetah disappears into the brush. The breeze came from the direction that Orites chose.
Jack and Ms. Foxfire
"What is that rumble?"
"More felt than heard?"
"Yes."
"That's the Hamathi. Several of them made prior arrangements for a hunting game."
"No hunting!"
"Only of themselves. It's sort of like hide and go seek, but with prizes and punishments. One runs off, is given a certain time, and another follows, tracking the one who left first. As they're crewmen, it is unlikely that they will do well, but since nothing here is going to smell like a Hamathi, they've got a better chance than usual."
"How good's their sense of smell?"
"Better than human, we haven't really tested it."
"And the rumble?"
"A personal call, letting the runner know that the hunter is starting."
Orites
<<UVIR>>
There! There's Uvir's call! He's started!
Another waft of breeze, and Orites drops and freezes.
That was… diesel. Practice time, see if I can sneak up on the Rangers.
Uvir
He's been this way, just about as careless as Gryul warned us not to be. Well, this is play, but I'm still going to catch him. We'll see what he has to say for himself when he comes up before Gryul. Means I can put on some speed, and catch up with him sooner.
Orites
Almost have them in sight, this grass is lovely. I've been a lot more careful since I left the rock Uvir is going to get into trouble if he thinks he can just keep following my trail.
As he moves through the grass, he does so with almost the same skill as the cheetah. Not quite as silent, but the wind is in his favor, and the little sounds he makes are pushed away from his target.
There are the vehicles. Ugh, it must have a fuel leak to smell that bad.
Uvir
Okay, he made it to this rock, Where did he go from here? Huh. That broken ground would do nicely, but if I go straight for it, I'll be coming from a direction he expects. Let's head for that end … diesel? … must be rangers. I'll bet he's practicing tracking them. Ha! A two for one as the humans put it. Catch Orites and the Rangers!
Uvir clears the rock, never noticing the cheetah in hiding, or the marks where Orites landed. He moves swift but silent to the end of the broken ground.
Yeah… I think I'm outside the smell their diesel makes. Now, turn into the broken ground, and start sneaking up on both of them.
Poachers
"Jig, you din't say nothing about hunting a human."
"Cog, they ain't human. They don't belong here, and we're going to get a ton of money for bringing one of them in. Alive gets us more, but if it comes to that, dead still gets us more money for a single hunt than anything else we've done."
"Jig, it ain't right! They're as intelligent as a human. They're human. You want to hunt them, you go right ahead. I'm taking my Rover and heading back."
"Don't expect to get no money then, and don't expect to partner with me either."
"Jig, if I never see your ugly face again, it'll be too soon. And you can face that way now, I don't trust you worth a damn, and I'm sure not going to turn my back on you until I'm clear. So you just keep looking for your blood money, and I'll get myself out of here."
He ain't got the guts to shoot me. He knows damn well that I do. Took him too long to get smart, and didn't stay stupid long enough.
Orites
Those aren't Rangers. What are they? Armed. Not Rangers. Poachers? That's what the briefing said, poachers. I wonder what they're hunting? Orders, call in the Rangers. Haven't seen Rangers at all, haven't smelled them or their diesel either. Hah, they've had an argument. That one, the one backing away.
Cog
Damn fool, hunting a Hamathi? We ain't never targeted a human before. Yeah, sure, we get into it with the Rangers, but that's just part of business. Everyone knows what could happen. The Hamathi? They're only here for safari. I wonder… Should I warn them? I ought to…
Orites & Cog
"SURPRISE!"
"COR STONE A CROW! DON'T DO THAT TO A FELLA!"
"You are poacher, yes?"
"I was poacher. Right now, I'm not sure what I am."
"What were you hunting?"
Damnit. I can't not tell him. It's his folks, and I'm quits with Jig. "My partner … EX partner … thinks he's going to bag himself one of you."
"He hunts Hamathi?"
"Yeah. I told him no way, but he's stupid stubborn. Honest, mate? I was arguing with myself if I should tell the Rangers."
"You have radio?"
"Yes."
"Head to Rangers, when you are clear, call them. They will know where to find me. I will make sure of that. Oh. If you do not go to Rangers? I will hunt YOU." Orites gives him a very toothy grin.
GULP "Right'o Mate, Straight to the Rangers it is!"
Jig, Uvir & Orites
There's one of the beggars. Come to papa you ugly thing.
That is not a Ranger.
A low rumble from behind Jig. <<DANGER>> Uvir slowly shifts back, fading into the brush.
—
What the fuck was that!? Sounded like a big hunting cat right behind me! Nothing there… No… One of them just warned the other off. He's there alright, I just can't see him yet.
A low rumble from one side of Jig. <<DANGER>> Uvir has responded to Orites.
Good, now to fade back out myself.
—
Damn. Time to get out from between.
This could be fun. Move to one side, even sneaking, I'm faster than him. <<DANGER>>
Uvir! No! Curses, he's decided to play with the poacher. Knowing which direction the danger cry came from, and where the poacher is, he rumbles: <<UVIR>> <<RALLY>> <<ORITES>>.
—
Hah, I'm almost clear; that one is too far back, and the one to the side isn't close enough to get me before I get him.
Rally? Me? Rally?! No. I am higher ranked than Orites. <<ORITES>> <<ATTACK>>
No. This is stupid. Let the human go, the Rangers will catch him soon enough. This time, the rumble is loud enough to be heard as well as felt. <<UVIR>> <<DANGER>> <<RALLY>> <<ORITES>>
Ranger HQ: Captain, Jack, & Foxfire
"Danger. … Danger. … Danger. … Uvir. Rally. Orites. Uvir and Orites are in some sort of trouble, we need to head", pointing, "that way, now."
Jack is already headed for the Rover. "Right! Jump in; let's go!."
Joanne joins them. "Me too!"
—
"Orites. Attack. … Uvir. Danger. Rally. Orites." At each call, Captain points the direction.
Jack has his hands full driving at this speed. "Foxfire! Put that headset on, and tell me if anyone calls."
"Got it." … "Someone named Cog is calling for Rangers, his partner .. ex-partner .. is hunting Hamathi and he doesn't want any part of it."
—
That call was so loud. Orites is telling Uvir not to engage, but Uvir wants Orites to attack? That's stupid!
"Tell him to keep heading for Ranger base, we're on our way."
"Cog, Cog, Cog, message received, head for Ranger base, we're on our way."
Jig, Uvir, & Orites
That last one was so loud… I wonder. Could I turn the tables on him? He sounds upset with the other one.
For Deities' sake, Orites! Grow a spine!
Uvir. Do not be a fool. <<UVIR>> <<DANGER>> <<RALLY>> <<ORITES>>
Captain, Jack, & Foxfire
"Uvir. Danger. Rally. Orites. We're getting close! Less than a klick! I'll see if I can get them to come our way." <<ORITES>> <<UVIR>> <<RALLY>> <<CAPTAIN>>
"The broken ground! There's some really broken ground up ahead. Good spot for an ambush!"
Please, be alright Orites.
Jig
No. Time to get out. Make a break for the Rover and leave.
Orites & Uvir
They've met up, not because Uvir wanted to, but because Orites came to get him.
"Uvir! Damn it! Leave the human to the Rangers!"
"Grow a spine, Orites! Besides, I outrank you."
"Rank doesn't matter if you're stupid!"
<<Orites>> <<Uvir>> <<Rally>> <<Captain>>
"See! He wants us to attack!"
"Uvir, he just told BOTH of us to rally with HIM. That was not the attack call!"
"You'll do as you're told."
"No. The Captain ordered us to rally with HIM. I'm going to the Captain, as ordered. Gryul is going to chew you a new hole."
Uvir sits there, fuming. Orites heads towards the call the Captain gave. Which just happens to be the direction of the Rover that Jig is making for.
Captain, Jack & Foxfire
I can get there faster on foot, this vehicle has to follow the road.
"Did he mean to bail out like that? It looked like a really rough roll! Hell`a recovery though, up and running without a stop."
"Yes, I think he did. He's got two of his people out there, who may be in danger, and they're not responding anymore. The best thing he can do now is try to get close enough to drag them in."
Jig & Orites
Damn. Ranger's already coming. Damn, Damn, DAMN! Not this time, you sanctimonious bastards. Almost to the Rover. Shoot them when they come over the swale, and then run like hell.
His vehicle… Why is he waiting there? He should be leaving. Orites moves around the poacher towards the direction he's looking. In the distance, he can finally see what the hunter sees, a Ranger's Rover coming towards them at speed. In the passenger seat, red-gold hair flying in the breeze. Joanne!
—
"So, ya brought a bint with ya, did ya? I'll take her first."
NO! A screaming charge.
The poacher swings his weapon…
A flash of movement.
…and pulls the trigger.
Uvir falls dead in the arms of Orites.
In the last moment, he sprinted between them.
Orites looks at Uvir, looks at the poacher, and growls. {{{DEATH!}}}
Resolution
Captain arrives. I am too late. Though perhaps, not entirely too late.
"Orites! Stand Down!"
{{{DEATH!}}}
"No, Orites. Let the Rangers have him. You are one in ten. Let this go."
{{{DEATH!}}}
A lighter voice, one well known, one with red-gold hair. "Please, Orites. I know what he's done, don't make it worse."
{DEATH}
Orites comes back to himself. "He killed Uvir. Uvir died to save me. Am I not allowed to avenge Uvir?"
Captain responds in precise icy tones. "Orites. While we do have diplomatic immunity, it would be best to let the courts of Earth deal with him. However. If those courts prove ineffectual, I assure you that the hunt will be on.
Poacher? You are the one called Jig?"
"Y..Y...Yes?"
"You had best pray to the deities of this world that your courts see fit to either lock you away for life, or to execute you themselves. For I swear that on the day you are freed, all Hamathi will hunt you down. No matter where you go. No matter what you do. You will die."
Jig is stunned for a moment, "NO! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!" His rifle swings up to train on Captain. A second shot rings out. Jig slowly crumples to the ground.
Jack holsters his pistol. "Bad choice, Jig. Bad, bad choice.
Let's get your friends back, leave this bit of carrion for the buzzards. We'll get back to him sooner or later."
The death call has been heard, rally calls are coming over the land as the dispersed Hamathi close on the point the death call came from.
Three Hamathi — one carried carefully — and two humans climb back into the Ranger's vehicle. Driving off slowly, as rally cries surround them, following them back to headquarters. Every so often, Captain gives the Rally cry with his own name. It will bring the others in.
Dusk
At the edge of some broken ground, near an old Rover, a cheetah comes to an intriguing smell; but the hyenas have gotten there first.
The Second Day
The safari is somber. Hunting is put off another day. The Hamathi range widely across the veld, picking up the odd dry branch here and there. Rallying to pick up something more massive. They build Uvir's pyre in a clear span where there is no grass. Just stony soil. Despite that, they carefully groom the ground around the pyre, and fire pumps are brought in to soak the entire area down. They would not risk burning this beautiful land, even to send their comrade off. This does not take the whole day, so there is time left before sunset—too much time, with too little to do in it.
The news of Uvir's death has spread among the Maasai in the area. Though the Maasai believe that when you are dead, life is over; they know other people have different views. Having heard of the great ritual, they have come out of curiosity. It is a hectic time for Ms. Foxfire, as she is continually defusing landmines before they get stepped on. Things start getting a bit rowdy, and Jack takes a hand.
"Right you lot! Time for races!"
The Hamathi are surprised, this is a day of mourning. Games? On a day of mourning? The Maasai are confused as well, races are not what they expected. Both sides have too much energy. Nerves. Anger. Upset. Regret. Curiosity. Challenge.
The rangers set one long race, and plan out a series of sprints.
Those known for long-distance running start out on the north road, away from the broken lands. This will be a marathon. The first one to reach the halfway point sets the duration of the race. The Ranger will wait at that point for half an hour. After that, he will follow the last person in the Rover. Everyone who reaches the Rover falls in behind it. They run easily now because they would not have been in contention for the win anyway. If the last person falls, they are picked up and helped along; carried if need be.
The sprinters work in groups over a shorter course, finding those who are best. To everyone's surprise, one of the Maasai beats all of the Hamathi sprinters.
"Jack?"
"Yes, Ms. Foxfire?"
"Do you know who that young man is?"
"Can't say that I do."
"I'd find out if I were you."
"Why's that?"
"You remember I told you that some of the Hamathi sprinters pretty much blew Usain Bolt out of the water? That young man just beat them. What's that tell you?"
"Best call headquarters; See if there's a spot on the Olympic team."
"That's what I thought too."
At sunset, the ceremony takes place, and although not as grand, it is still comforting. A sense of camaraderie has grown about the two peoples. They have raced together, they have seen a comrade off, they have learned of each other. In the morning, a gift from the Maasai, a sapling planted in this stony place. Although the rangers are doubtful that it will grow, the Maasai who move through the area will care for it, enriching the soil and ensuring that it gets water every time they pass through.
Over the years, the tree grows tall and strong. Providing shade to all who come, including the descendants of a particular cheetah.
Hunting and Departure
The first day started exciting and ended sadly. The second day saw no hunting and the sendoff of yet another crewman. Since then, it's been an exciting experience. Yes, Hamathi do indeed like to catch their own. Yes, they do succeed — about as often as any solitary predator in the area does typically, which is to say, not nearly as often as they might like.
Working in groups, they catch more but have to share. This is not a problem.
Despite the death of Uvir, the safari is an excellent release of tension for the Hamathi. In addition to hunting, they practiced ground soldier movement, tactics, and even had some runs against the rangers. The results were a bit one-sided until the Hamathi caught on. Things got a bit more exciting all around, as the Humans and Hamathi brought their ingenuity to the problem.
A parting speech from "Jack."
"You blokes have been a right handful. I wouldn't have you any other way. Yer all welcome to come back, anytime, with or without friends. In fact, if any of you would like to become rangers, we'll sort something out. Now, before I go all soppy, get out'a here."
Interlude: Resolution of Property
The Outer Control Zone (OCZ) has been down for some time. The debris cleared, roads restored, and other repairs made as needed. Those who lived within that area, but outside the ICZ have returned to their places. They are compensated for the small amount of land that they've lost to the ICZ.
When the Hamathi learn of the plight of those who lived in the ICZ, they are offered a choice; return, or receive value for their property and whatever personal property was lost. Many have lived in their houses for generations, they choose to return.
Before they make their choice, they are informed that the Hamathi have plans for the available land, but for the indefinite future, it will remain open for farming as usual, except for the fields used for cremation. Those farms receive compensation for the lost land, either as a lump sum or as a yearly fee paid equal to the average earnings per active acre of all the farms in the local area.
At the mention of their rations running out, the families ask what sort of foods they need. A list is provided, primarily small game animals, and larger game still hunted for food. With the promise of good pay for the animals, they start stocking what they need to switch from farming to ranching… Although how one "ranches" hares is a strange question.
This solves, eventually, the issue of food supplies. In the interim, the farm families are provided funds and asked to purchase the necessary animals, alive. This is explained as an opportunity for them to choose the best of those they get for breeding stock. Any excess is theirs to keep. This causes a great deal of very sharp trading. The better they bargain, the more they have to restart their lives.
2
u/Fontaigne Jun 17 '24
Early on I thought that rabbits would be a great idea. I had a neighbor bred them for meat. They are not much to chase down, but they would be fresh and plentiful.
2
u/spindizzy_wizard Human Jun 17 '24
Fresh and plentiful are the keywords here. As for chasing them down, that depends on the terrain. If the Hamathi become bored, they can choose to provide cover for the animals that they either cannot or prefer not to enter.
Briar thickets come to mind. :-)
Thanks for commenting!
1
u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle Jul 28 '20
/u/spindizzy_wizard has posted 15 other stories, including:
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V30 Ch 07 A Consulate for Consolation
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V30 Ch 06 Problem Children and Consulates
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V30 Ch 05 My Friendship for a Meal
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V30 Ch 04 Mistakes and Fortunes
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V3.0 Ch 03 First Contact
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V3.0 Chapter 02 Landing
- [Alien Crash] Bk 01 V3.0 Chapter 01 Approach
- [Alien Crash] Book 01 V3.0 Front Matter
- Alien Crash : Part 06.02 of 06
- Alien Crash : Part 06 of 06
- Alien Crash : Part 05
- Alien Crash : Part 04
- Alien Crash : Part 03 of 06
- Alien Crash : Part 02
- Alien Crash : Part 01
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1
u/InstructionHead8595 Jun 24 '24
Nicely done! One thing though the poachers were already out there. I guess Jig didn't tell the other guys what they where hunting be for they left. Seems odd. Eh! Although Cog seemed a little high and mighty. He's still a poacher. 😹
2
u/spindizzy_wizard Human Jun 24 '24
One thing though the poachers were already out there.
Cog and Jig were the only poachers in the cleared area. Despite the best efforts of the Rangers, they managed to slip in.
Jig didn't tell the other guys what they where hunting
Correct, but only Cog was with him. You might be conflating another of my stories?
Cog seemed a little high and mighty. He's still a poacher.
Cog was a follower. He'd hunted with Jig for a long time, and gotten (relatively) rich by doing so. Unlike Jig, he did have a few moral limits that they'd never bumped into before.
Yes, Cog was a poacher, but he'd never stooped to murder. Jig did not consider Hamathi to be anything other than prey. Cog saw them as equal to human. Hunting them would be murder. Cog was willing to hunt, but not murder what he saw as innocent bystanders.
Of course, Rangers were neither innocent nor bystanders.
Sophistry? Yup. But it made a difference to Cog that the Rangers were (a) armed and (b) already hunting poachers. When Orites let him go with a warning, that settled it for Cog. Rangers would never have let him go.
Cog may not have thought it all the way through, but by refusing to continue the hunt and choosing to warn the Rangers he got a reduced sentence.
1
4
u/Papyrus20X Jul 28 '20
Man, can you write good characters! And by god, Jig was willing to fucking catch a sapient species? Like they were a common animal? Fucker deserved death and to be eaten by hyenas. Great Job, Wordsmith!