Halo_ The Fall of Reach - Eric Nylund [18]
“Good idea,” John said. “Sam, take three and scout the area. I don’t want any of the Chief’s surprises sneaking up on us.”
“Right.” Sam picked Fhajad, James, and Linda and then the four of them took off into the brush.
Kelly collected the map pieces and settled in the shade of an ancient cedar tree. “Some of these don’t belong, and some are copies,” she said, and she laid them out. “Yes, here’s an edge. Got it—this is the lake, the river, and here . . . ” She pointed to a distant patch of green. “That’s got to be the extraction
point.” She shook her head and frowned. “If the legend on this map is right, it’s a full day’s hike, though. We better get started.” John whistled and a moment later Sam and his scouts returned.
“Let’s move out,” John said. No one argued. They fell into line behind Kelly as she navigated. Sam blazed the trail ahead. He had the best eyes and ears. Several times he stopped and signaled everyone to freeze or hide—but it turned out to be just a rabbit or a bird.
After several miles of marching, Sam dropped back. He whispered to John, “This is too easy. It’s not like any of the Chief’s normal field exercises.” John nodded. “I’ve been thinking that, too. Just keep your eyes and ears sharp.”
They stopped at noon to stretch and eat berries they had gathered along the trail. Fhajad spoke up. “I want to know one thing,” he said. He paused to wipe the sweat off his dark skin. “We’re going to get to the extraction point at the same time. So who’s getting left behind? We should decide now.”
“Draw straws,” someone suggested. “No,” John said, and stood. “No one’s being left behind. We’re going to figure a way to getall of us out.” “How?” Kelly asked, scratching her head. “Mendez said—” “I know what he said. But there’s got to be a way—I just haven’t thought of one yet. Even if it has to be
me that stays behind—I’ll make sure everyone gets back to the base.” John started marching again. “Come on, we’re wasting time.”
The others fell in behind him. The shadows of the trees lengthened and melted together and the sun turned the edge of the sky red. Kelly halted and motioned for everyone else to stop. “We’re almost there,” she whispered.
“Me and Sam will scout it out,” John said. “Everyone fall out . . . and keep quiet.” The rest of the children silently followed his orders.
John and Sam crept through the underbrush and then hunkered down at the edge of a meadow.
The dropship sat in the center of the grassy field; her floodlights illuminated everything for thirty meters. Six men sat on the open launch ramp, smoking cigarettes and passing a canteen between themselves. Sam motioned to drop back. “You recognize them?” he whispered. “No. You?” Sam shook his head. “They’re not in uniform. They don’t look like any soldiers I’ve ever seen. Maybe
they’re rebels. Maybe they stole the dropship and killed the Chief.”
“No way,” John said. “Nothing can kill the Chief. But one thing’s for sure: I don’t think we can just walk up there and get a free ride back to the base. Let’s go back.” They crept back into the woods and then explained the situation to the others. “What do you want to do?” Kelly asked him. John wondered why she thought he had an answer. He looked around and saw everyone was watching
him, waiting for him to speak. He shifted on his feet. He had to say something. “Okay . . . we don’t know who these men are or what they’ll do when they see us. So we find out.” The children nodded, seeming to think this was the right thing to do. “Here’s how,” John told them. “First, I’ll need a rabbit.” “That’s me,” Kelly said, and sprang to her feet. “I’m the fastest.” “Good,” John said. “You go to the edge of the meadow—and then let them see you. I’ll go along and
hide nearby and watch. In case anything happens to you, I’ll report back to the others.” She nodded. “Then you lure a few back here. Run right past this spot. Sam, you’ll be out in the open, pretending like
you’ve broken your leg.” “Gotcha,” Sam said. He walked over to Fhajad and had him scrape his shin with