47

  Not bad even if I look like an extra in some fantasy movie. Maybe I should have taken the velvet brigandine instead of the leather one, Aria thought as she checked out her outfit in the mirror. But the leather hugs me well and doesn’t restrict my movement. I guess Perkins really or whoever made this really knows their stuff. It and the gambeson also cover my assets, well, most of them. She giggled and smacked her butt. And my cloak will cover the rest.

  Joking aside, this isn’t the most colorful look, but it works. I think the pants and chaps or chausses go well with my boots. And at least the shirt fits well even though I’d prefer one in red or blue.

  Aria pulled the cloak out of her inventory and put it on. Is the cloak a bit much? She bit in lip in thought. It might be too hot to wear outside.

  I’ll make do and put it in my inventory if it is too hot with it on, Aria decided. She pulled her hair into a tighter low ponytail and then put on the leather gauntlets. Aria exited the changing room. Gunny and Perkins looked her way. The attendant smiled.

  “She looks like a right adventurer now,” Perkins commented. “All that is missing are her weapons and a satchel. What do you think, Gunny?”

  “I think Aria looks like she just came in off the set of Lord of the Rings or some other movie,” Hauora replied. His lips twitched.

  “I knew it!” Aria exclaimed. “Can I get something else to wear?”

  The gunnery sergeant lost his internal struggle and laughed while shaking his head. Perkins laughed as well.

  “Can I take a picture?” Perkins asked.

  “I’m going to change back into my clothes,” Aria said, turning for the changing room door.

  “We don’t have time for that, and you need the armor,” Hauora said. “We’re already running behind schedule. I want to get in and out of Southland before it gets late.”

  “Fine,” Aria huffed. “Thanks for the armor, Perkins.”

  He nodded and she followed Gunny out of the armory. They rejoined the others, who snickered at her outfit.

  “Damn if I’m not glad I don’t have to wear that sort of thing,” Bishop said.

  “Yeah, it’s a brave fashion choice,” Holder added. The snickers became outright laughter after Aria scowled at them. Timmons didn’t comment, but did add his laughter to the others.

  “Looks like you stepped out of a fantasy novel, game, or movie,” Towns said. His laughter then joined the others.

  Aria started to walk away. Gunny put an arm around her shoulders to stop her. “Ignore them. They’re just joking with you.”

  “That’s at me, not with me,” Aria countered.

  “Don’t let them get to you,” Gunny replied. “It’s part of the unit bonding process.”

  “Uh huh,” she said. I’m not part of the unit.

  “Sorry Aria,” Towns said. He turned to the others. “Knock it off you chuckleheads.”

  “Listen up,” Gunny bellowed. The laughter died and the others paid attention. Aria gave the sergeant her attention as well. “We’re going on a nice three klick walk in the woods towards Greenhill Lake.”

  “Aria, that’s roughly two miles,” Travis Towns explained. She smiled and nodded at him.

  “From the lake, we’ll either get a lift out or walk back,” Gunny continued. “It’ll all depend on what we run into and how long it takes to hike to the lake. You’ve been briefed on what we might run into out there.” The guards nodded. “Any questions?”

  “Want me on point?” Timmons asked.

  “No. Aria will take point, and we’ll follow her just like we did in the woods around the facility,” Gunny answered. “Timmons, you’ll cover our asses.”

  What the hell, Gunny? Aria thought. I’m not ready for this.

  “Aria, this isn’t the same as the hikes and hunts in the woods in Virginia,” Towns advised. “Keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll be fine.” He grinned. “Just don’t shoot those exploding arrows near us if something comes at us.”

  “Travis is right,” Gunny said. “We’ll cover your back, so just use your senses and skills. You’ll be right as rain.”

  “Gunny, I don’t think…” Aria began.

  “You’ll be fine,” Gunny said, cutting her off. “This is a low-level area, and we have our rifles just in case.” Aria nodded. He showed her a map. “I should have sent this to you before setting out, but I had forgotten. We’re going to take the main path southeast toward the Mt Airy village and then turn here at this little valley. We’ll follow it northeast to the lake.”

  “So, this is what, a starter area just like in a video game?” Aria asked.

  “Something like that,” Gunny confirmed.

  Now, I do have more questions. I doubt he’d answer or know the answer though. Most likely SL3 will inject people with nanites and given an implant so they can have access to the system crap before they’re allowed into Southland. Then they’re customers for life too.

  “Couldn’t we just cut over the hills and follow this other creek to the lake?” Aria asked, trailing a finger on the map, instead of giving voice to her thoughts.

  “We could, but the descent off those hills will be steep, so we’ll avoid that this trip,” Gunny answered. “Hopefully, this won’t take more than a couple of hours to get to the lake.”

  Hopefully, they’re right. Aria nodded. “Couldn’t we go to the beach instead?”

  “Maybe next time,” Gunny said. She noticed the slight grin on his face.

  “Open the gate,” Towns shouted to the gate guards. The gate opened and Aria walked into Southland for the first time.

  48

  The trail was clearly defined and looked well maintained. That was the case even when they entered the forest. Bird song and the chirping of insects greeted the group. This trail almost looks like someone’s manicured driveway.

  Aria stopped and listened while taking a deep breath. She could hear animals moving through the trees and spotted squirrels and birds amongst the branches of the trees closest to her.

  The air is clean and the forest smells mostly of pine trees. She crinkled her nose. There’s a slight scent of something rotten. I suppose that’s decay. Hopefully, that’s just dead branches and leaves since I don’t smell the coppery tang of blood.

  “Problem?” Gunny asked as he walked up to her.

  “No. Just taking a moment to get used to the sights, scents, and sounds of the forest,” Aria said.

  “Good plan,” Gunny said approvingly. “What have you determined so far?”

  “The forest is at peace or at least this part of it is,” Aria answered. She explained what she had noticed, including the landscaping. “Gunny, according to older maps, this trail used to be a highway. How did SL3 change it so quickly? I wasn’t in a coma that long.”

  “I’m not sure,” Hauora answered. “Maybe nanobots.”

  “That makes sense. Enough of those little buggers would break this down easy peasy,” Aria said. “I should have thought of that.”

  “Nobody is perfect,” Gunny replied. “Speaking of not being perfect, we forgot to get you a helmet.”

  Aria shrugged. “I’m not sure if I want one.”

  “You don’t think a helmet would have been handy when fighting the ferox?” Gunny asked.

  “Hmm. Maybe,” Aria answered. She paused and pointed to their left. “Deer about 20 yards that way coming towards us.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Sounds like the one you had me hunt,” Aria replied. “But I suppose it could be something else.”

  Towns joined them. “What’s going on?”

  “Something big coming this way. Aria thinks it’s a deer,” Gunny answered. “I think we should give it a couple minutes and see if she’s correct. I’d hate to get jumped by one of those large cats so soon.”

  “That makes two of us,” Travis said.

  “Make that three,” Aria chimed in. Towns waved the others up and explained what was going on to them. Interesting. Maybe Gunny oversees the overall excursion and Towns commands the squad or whatever you call a group of guards or soldiers. Eh, it doesn’t matter.

  Aria looked around and then up. She grinned and ran towards a tree on the right. She jumped off the trunk and grabbed an overhanging branch. Aria pulled herself up and sat on the branch, leaning against the tree trunk. The guards formed a circle on the trail with guns out.

  “It’s only a deer,” Aria whispered. Gunny frowned. “I can see it from here.”

  A few minutes later, a young buck stepped out from between two trees. It spotted the humans at the same time they spotted it. The buck turned and retreated into the forest.

  “Alright. Stand down,” Towns commanded.

  “Good going Aria,” Gunny said. “Would you be able to do the same for a bear or one of the predators that have been let loose in here?”

  “Don’t know. I think I could identify a ferox though,” Aria said as she dropped back to the ground. “I’ve never heard a bear or large cat in a forest before.”

  “Fair enough. Since you don’t know the hand signs, we were all taught, we’ll use a simple version as we don’t want to talk and attract attention,” Gunny said. Aria nodded. “If you see something we should be concerned with, point at your eyes and then the direction you see it in.”

  “Also hold up the number you see using your fingers,” Towns added.

  “If you hear something large or that concerns you, point at your ear and then the direction,” Gunny said. “Same for smell, except point at your nose.”

  “Alright. I can do that,” Aria replied.

  “Then lead on,” Gunny commanded. Aria nodded. “You might want to get your bow and an arrow out just in case.”

  Aria smiled and shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

  *

  This armor is getting hot, Aria thought miserably about an hour later. Too bad I can’t take it off and store it like I did my cloak earlier. Perhaps, I can get the nanites to make it climate controlled or something.

  That thought made her smile and she made a note to research the idea later. A branch snapping around the next curve stopped her in her tracks. Aria pointed at her ear and then the bend. She looked back at the others. Gunny pointed at his eyes, her, and then the bend.

  I don’t think so. Aria shook her head. He pointed at her and the bend again. Fuck me!

  Aria sighed and pulled the bow from her inventory along with an arrow. She slowly crept through the trees instead of sticking to the trail after deciding that having a tree or three to hide behind made good sense.

  49

  Aria kept carefully creeping toward the curve in the trail. The breeze shifted slightly.

  Vanilla? Aria wondered as a scent reached her. She paused. I’ve never heard of or read about an animal with that sort of smell before. But there are some plants with that scent such as spider lilies and one of the pine trees. There are a lot of pines around but those smell woodsier and don’t have the vanilla scent. So, they must be a different type of pine tree.

  Aria shook her head and continued to carefully and slowly creep towards the smell’s source. A few minutes later she arrived at a position to allow her to see what had been making the noise she had heard. She peeked through the foliage.

  Holy moly! That is one huge ass beaver, Aria thought. The creature was as big as a bear with short legs and a long tail. The tail wasn’t as paddle like as a normal beaver’s though it was longer. She watched the large rodent rip leaves from a shrub and eat them. A moment later, the beaver stood on its hind legs and pulled more leaves from the shrub and started eating those. That thing is at least six foot tall!

  Aria heard a splash and looked to her left. She saw another giant beaver emerge from a small pond. The second giant beaver started feeding on plants a short distance from the shore. Aria spent a couple more minutes observing the large rodents and then turned to make her way back to the others.

  *

  “What did you find?” Gunny asked just as soon as Aria joined them.

  He looks relieved to see me back and in one piece. Aria pulled her canteen from her inventory and drank from it before answering. Cold and refreshing. She wiped her mouth and returned the canteen to her inventory.

  “Ready to answer Gunny now?” Towns asked. Aria smiled.

  “Yes. There are two beavers about the size of bears around the curve. Just past the curve is a pond on the left,” Aria answered. “One of the beavers came out of the water while I watched them. So, I think they live in the pond.”

  “Giant beavers,” Bishop said in disbelief. “Get the fuck out of here.”

  “Go see for yourself if you don’t believe me,” Aria retorted with a shrug of her shoulders.

  “Bishop, giant beavers were in the briefing,” Holder replied. “You should have paid more attention.”

  Wish I would have been briefed on what to expect, Aria thought. They’re making this so much harder for me than it needs to be.

  “Those pelts would be worth a lot in Mt Airy or to some of the potential park visitors,” Timmons added.

  Park? They really are selling tickets to dumbasses that want to get away with doing any and everything, Aria thought.

  “Forget about it, Timmons,” Gunny said. “We’re only here to make sure Aria survives her first Southland excursion. If you want to be a hunter or trapper, you’re welcome to apply for a transfer.”

  “That’s alright. I’m good,” Timmons quickly replied.

  Chicken, Aria thought. “The birds and insects were making their noises, so I assume it’s safe to continue past the beavers.”

  “Alright. We’ll advance with caution,” Towns stated. Gunny nodded his agreement.

  “Wait a minute. People are really transferring into here?” Aria asked.

  “Not many, but a few,” Gunny confirmed. Aria shook her head and muttered something about idiots and damn fools. Gunny grinned. “Let’s move out.”

  *

  It’s hot. Aria squatted and dipped her hands in Greenhill Lake. She splashed water on her face. That feels better.

  Aria pulled a rag from her inventory and soaked it. The water should be fine and it’s not like I’m drinking any of it in any case. She looked around and didn’t see anything, but she could hear her guards coming closer to the shore. Gunny and the others should be here any moment now.

  She stood and wiped her face and neck with the damp rag. Aria turned her head to see Gunny and the others step out of the tree line.

  “Hey Gunny, do you think we could relax by the lake for…” Aria trailed off as the birds and insects fell silent. Movement caught the corner of her eye, and she whipped back around towards the lake.

  Massive wide-open jaws exploded from the water. Aria’s eyes widened in disbelief and alarm as she stood frozen in fear.

  50

  “Aria!” Hauora and Towns shouted.

  “What the fuck is that?” Bishop shouted as did Timmons and Holder.

  Aria heard weapons being shouldered. She jumped backwards and fell on her butt just as the massive jaws slammed shut where she had been standing. The jaws sunk back into the water.

  “Hold your fire!” Towns ordered. “She’s in the way.”

  “My God!” Holder exclaimed as the monster’s head emerged from the lake.

  That thing’s jaws are almost as big as I am, Aria thought as she pushed with her feet and hands to scramble away from the large animal. The rest of the body followed the head onto the lakeshore while Aria kept retreating.

  “That thing is as tall as you are Bishop,” Timmons said in a low voice. “And you’re what, 6’2” or there about?”

  Bishop nodded, but didn’t speak.

  “Is that a fucking dinosaur?” Holder asked. “Gunny, you said there weren’t any fucking dinos!”

  “That’s not a dinosaur,” Towns said. “Looks like a damn giant alligator or crocodile.”

  “Gators and crocs don’t get that big, Sarge. That thing is longer than my truck,” Bishop said, finding his voice.

  “Aria!” Gunny barked. “Get to your feet!”

  She didn’t take her eyes off the monster in front of her and pushed back some more until she bumped into a large rock. The giant creature looked from Aria to the others and roared.

  That sounds like a lion or something.

  “Aria, get to your feet!” Gunny ordered again.

  Aria nodded while keeping her eyes on the giant. It looked from the guards to her and back. It roared again and she surged to her feet. The monster looked back at her and Aria could smell its fetid breath.

  Ugh. Smells like rotting meat, Aria thought. She took a step back and noticed the giant’s leg muscles tensing up. It’s going to charge me.

  Seconds later, it did charge. Aria jumped to her right as it did so. The jaws missed her, but the creature’s right shoulder slammed into her, sending Aria flying sideways and crashing to the ground. Her head bounced off a rock and she laid there.

  “That thing is longer than a bus,” Timmons remarked.

  “Shit! Aria hit her head,” Towns exclaimed.

  “Dammit! I knew we should have turned back to get Aria a helmet,” Gunny cursed. The large reptile turned towards Aria, which meant it also faced the others now. “Distract it and shoot if you have a clear shot.”

  “Aria, are you alive?” Bishop asked.

  “She’s breathing,” Timmons said.

  “Get up elf girl!” Holder shouted encouragingly.

  Aria blinked. Not so loud. I can hear you.

  “You heard Gunny. Move your asses!” Towns shouted at the other guards.

  The monstrous alligator roared again.

  I hear you too, Aria mused. What the heck happened? I think I got hit by a bus.

  She tried to sit up and failed. Her head swam and her ribs hurt. So did her shoulder. I got hit by a scaly bus with teeth! She giggled.

  “She’s been knocked loopy,” Bishop said. He fired a single shot at the giant gator. It flinched and then hissed at him. “Shit!”

  I heard that, big boy, Aria thought. Someone else fired. Two more shots followed. She took a breath and sent a command to release some of her stored energy into the healing nanites.

  “Fuck me!” Timmons shouted. “We’re just pissing it off!”

  Aria felt the ground vibrate and all but quake as the monster charged past her.

  “Keep running Timmons!” Towns shouted. “That thing is fast.”

  Gunny knelt beside her. “Are you alright?”

  “Not really,” Aria answered. She heard the others run off after Timmons and the monster. Aria song part of a song under her breath. She felt the nanites respond and started to clear her head. “But I will be alright. Go help the others.”

  “I can’t leave you,” Gunny said, shaking his head. “I have orders.”

  “Figures,” Aria muttered. He wants to go after his husband though. “Help me up. We’ll go get them.”

  “You’re in no shape and I should get you out of here,” Gunny said.

  “I’ll make it easy for you. I’m not going without the others,” Aria replied. Hauora sighed and pulled her to her feet.

  “Thanks,” Gunny said. “That thing is fast but too large to take advantage of its speed in the trees.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, try to keep up,” Aria replied. She took off running and slowed grabbing at her ribs. She hummed part of Einaudi’s Nuvole Bianche, which she always felt was powerful and soothing. The nanites responded even quicker. A few seconds later, she picked up her pace. Gunny Hauora followed.

  *

  “I’ve used my access,” Gunny huffed.

  “And?” Aria called back over her shoulder.

  “That thing is a level 3 Deinosuchus, which is an alligatoroid crocodilian,” Gunny answered. “They can grow up to 40 feet long.”

  “So, this one is what, half grown?”

  “It’s most likely a young adult.”

  “Just great. Can we retreat from it?”

  “I don’t know. The files say this one was placed here to be some sort of boss monster as part of a proposed quest.”

  “Does that mean there’s loot?” Aria asked hopefully. I can go for some treasure.

  “No. The quest proposal was denied but the Deinosuchus was left in the lake,” Gunny answered. “It was also altered to be super aggressive.”

  “That really sucks,” Aria complained.

  “Yep. But on the bright side, air transport is on the way.”