Seventh entry
#9 of The seven Days of Fire
Seventh entry
"We got off with a black eye once again. We may have lost most of our equipment and most of our supplies, but at least we're still alive. Now it's time to find the next village. Unfortunately, we lost our map in the bombing along with the rest of our equipment. So we head for Seruma on the off-chance. We hope to find a village within the next three days, otherwise we'll run out of supplies. I'm worried that we haven't seen any refugees for a long time. Sepata was actually very densely populated and the population density was relatively high. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that the Torekmetian army were more thorough in their cleansing than we were. Tonight we reach Lake Salmiak, a large fishing resort. It's not quite on our route, but with a bit of luck we'll be able to stock up on fresh fish."
Hiredeki rises from his camp and goes to his companion, who is just finishing cleaning and reassembling the rifles. He sits down next to him and inspects the second man's work. He had asked him to do this and Hiredeki found it a good opportunity to take his mind off things. Apart from the fact that the maintenance of the weapons had been neglected lately. His colleague had been quite happy to deal with the weapons. Hiredeki takes one of the rifles and checks its function. Flawless, the weapon is in excellent condition, as was to be expected from a member of the army.
"Good, really good. How much longer will you need?"
His sidekick doesn't look up from his work as he answers.
"I think five minutes. I just have to assemble the breech and the casing. Then check the mechanics and we can go."
Hiredeki nods calmly. This scene reminds him of his training. Although it was only a year ago, it seems like an eternity ago that he watched his instructor cleaning the weapons. It is also the familiarity of this activity that gives his companion a sense of security and calm. Hiredeki slowly regains his courage, perhaps they will make it to Seruma after all. A loud, sharp *KLACK* snaps him out of his thoughts as his sidekick loads his rifle and takes the safety off. A slight, satisfied smile on his face reflects his mood.
"I think we can go."
Hiredeki nods and rises laboriously from his seat. He points in a rough direction and they set off. They follow a signpost and a road in the direction of the lake.
...
In the late afternoon, they veer off the road and continue behind the embankment to avoid being seen. The lake is already in sight. It is a large lake. It measures almost fifty miles in diameter. Until recently, there were numerous settlements on its shores and countless boats and barges cruised on its surface. The lake has always supplied the entire region with food, water and work. But now it is deserted. Some boats have capsized in the water, but most of them have sunk. The settlements lie in ruins.
Hiredeki and his sidekick slowly and carefully approach the lake. They try to maintain their cover for as long as possible. They observe the surrounding terrain for a long time. There is an open area about a mile wide around the lake. They have to cross it if they want to get to the lake. Hiredeki takes the binoculars from his eyes again and hands them to his companion.
"Can you see anything?"
His companion takes the binoculars and examines the surroundings meticulously. After a while, he hands the binoculars back to Hiredeki.
"No, I couldn't make out any troops. But there's something strange about that house with the red roof up ahead. I could have sworn I saw a glow of light in the window."
Hiredeki sets his sights on the house in question. He examines each of the barricaded windows for quite a while. Finally, he makes a find. Sure enough, a small, furtive glimmer of light appears briefly behind one of the windows. Just bright enough to make it out. Hiredeki licks his lips, the tension is palpable. The light returns at regular intervals.
"I think someone is sitting there smoking..."
Hiredeki mumbles as he tries to tease a little more zoom out of the binoculars. A moment later, a grin creases his face.
"Look at that. Seems to be a fugitive. But much more interesting is the barn next to that house."
His sidekick takes the binoculars and looks through them intently. He sights the slightly dilapidated barn and searches for what Hiredeki was talking about. It doesn't take him long to find it. There is a vehicle in the barn, old, battered but roadworthy, it seems. His eyes widen, his thoughts are the same as Hiredeki's.
"No more walking from now on."
He looks at Hiredeki, who knows exactly what he's thinking.
"I think we'll have to persuade him or her. I hope they are open to arguments. I've done enough walking since we started wandering."
The two get up and leave their cover. They head straight for the small settlement where the vehicle and the suspected fugitive or fugitives are located. Rifles loaded and safeties off, they march across the open area. When they are about halfway across, there is suddenly movement in the village. In the distance, a few people can be seen rushing wildly through the streets. Hiredeki reaches for his rifle and takes aim, his companion does the same. Their senses sharpen as the adrenaline gets their circulation going and improves their perception. They continue towards the settlement, but fan out a little to make a worse target.
"Shit man, we're sitting on a platter here, if they want they'll just shoot us up!"
Hiredeki feels the same way, but to prevent the tension from turning into panic, he tackles his buddy fiercely.
"Pull yourself together. If they wanted to kill us, they'd have done it by now. If we flee now, they'll just shoot us in the back. Goddammit, you're a professional, so act like one. They're just some poor peasants who are afraid we'll shoot them like their relatives!"
With a queasy feeling in their stomachs, they walk on. When they have almost reached the settlement, a single man confronts them. His outdated rifle lies heavy in his trembling hands. Hiredeki stops and slowly lowers his rifle while his sidekick continues to take aim at the man.
"We don't want to cause any trouble. We're on the run, looking for food and a place to sleep for the night."
Hiredeki puts his hands up after securing and shouldering his rifle. His sidekick slowly lowers his rifle, but without turning it away from the man. The man's excitement slowly subsides and he too lowers his rifle.
"Tell me, who are you and where are you going? Your home lies in another direction. But if you come in peace, we will give you shelter and food."
...to be Continued...