“Bastard is going to get away. Step it up, Jaard.”

Rydak followed the fleeing form of Lartik as he turned down another narrow corridor in the dark mine. Boots pounded behind him as Jahul gave chase as well.

Adding a boost of speed as sweat dampened his face beneath his mask, Rydak grunted. “He’s fast.”

Lartik’s figure vanished into the eerie darkness ahead as the rock-strewn path crunched beneath his feet. Rydak cursed but it was Jahul’s voice in the comm, passing on the update.

“Lartik is out of sight. Rydak and I are following. Any word on Di-Tel?”

Di-Tel was the one they really wanted not his partner Lartik. Di-Tel had come to this mining colony and set up running a black-market trade. No one would have noticed his small operation if another criminal hadn’t complained about losing a portion of his business to Di-Tel.

Much to Di-Tel’s chagrin, the complaint drew the attention of authorities who launched an inquiry. This obviously did not go over well with Di-Tel, which led to him killing the law officers sent to investigate. Once those murders were reported, it became a matter for the Jutak warriors.

“Bane and V’hor are circling the back,” Torkel informed.

Before ducking through the next tunnel, which was only wide enough for one at a time, Rydak waited until Jahul came up beside him. Pulse racing, and heart pounding from the adrenaline surge, he asked, “Do we go in?”

At this point, the main concern was safety. This place hadn’t been in official operating capacity for years aside from Di-Tel’s recent use. Jahul flipped open a pocket on his uniform and turned on a slim tube shaped mini-light to shine into the black cavern ahead of them.

Flickering light played across Jahul’s frowning visage as he nodded. “Yes. But stay close.”

Activating his own mini-light, Rydak entered first, caution in his steps as he withdrew his laser and eased forward to the right. Jahul took the left, withdrawing his weapon as well. Silence echoed around them, putting Rydak’s senses on alert. He didn’t like this. Lartik could double back on them. They also needed to worry about the missing Di-Tel. He’d avoided capture this long because he’d stayed one step ahead of the other agencies sent to retrieve him.

The walls curved inward and a musty stench rose from around them the deeper they went into the sloping shaft. Rumbles sounded overhead hinting at the instability of the structure. A small bridge formed a path over a wide ditch. As soon as Rydak stepped into the middle of the barely discernible walkway, rickety floorboards cracked and splintered under his feet. He tried to hurry through in hopes of catching up to either of the men they wanted.

Wood snapped behind him followed by Jahul’s curse. Rydak turned in time to see his Team Lead on one knee, his other leg stuck between the broken boards. He went back and extended a hand. Jahul cursed again before gripping his palm to allow Rydak to pull him up.

“Fucking, Di-Tel,” Jahul spat, balancing on his foot to make sure he was fine.

“Good?” A quick up and down glance and nothing but a tear at the knee showed from the fall.

Jahul’s mouth quirked. “Good.”

They continued on only to draw to a stop in frustration. The tunnel access twisted and splintered into three separate caverns once they reached the center and there was no way to tell which path Lartik had taken.

“Fuck!” Rydak jammed his hands on his hips.

A pop and hiss from above had Rydak jerking his head up. Goose bumps rose on his arms. He didn’t like the sound of the rumble or the ominous pop.

“Rydak, move your ass!”

The shout came seconds before a weight slammed into his side. Rydak flew over the rough, uneven ground on his back, jagged edges tugging at his vest and shirt. When he hit the dank wall at the back of the cave, he came to a sudden stop.

Laser fired blasted over Rydak’s head and Jahul rolled from atop him muttering, “Slow as always, Jaard. You good?”

“Thanks.” Rydak scooted back and ducked behind one of the narrow openings in a crouch, his weapon in his grip. Tiny pinches of pain shot up his lower back and hip but for the most part he wasn’t injured.

“Missed him. Lartik ran through and out.” Frustration and annoyance fueled Jahul’s gripe.

“Team Three report.”

Rydak’s ear comm buzzed with Torkel’s command and then his teammates all responded.

“Clear.” Bane.

“Clear. Khane’s comm was damaged but he’s in my view and signaled he’s fine.” V’hor. He’d gone deeper into the mine during the hunt, outpacing all of them.

Rydak faced an out of breath Jahul squatting beside him and grinning like a mad man despite the trickle of blood on his forehead. Explosions overhead sent dust and debris raining down on their head. They both ducked then waited as the crumbling rocks about them settled.

“Di-Tel has been apprehended as he tried to escape from the back exit, no sign of Lartik. Returning to the shuttle with Khane.” Bane’s disclosure meant they’d done what they came to do. Di-Tel had a lot of questions to answer for what he’d been up to on the space colony. “Vee’s limping but clear of the shaft and coming in hard.”

Relieved, Rydak checked their location before answering. If he and Jahul rushed back the way they’d come, they’d reach the entrance in a short time. “Jahul and I are coming back through the front. Lartik raced by us.”

Another succession of explosions but this time the creak and whine of a structure on the verge of collapse reached their ears.

“Everyone out now!” Torkel ordered.

Jahul tapped Rydak’s shoulder and met his gaze. “We need to make a run for it. On three, we go.”

“On three,” Rydak agreed.

Jahul peered around the corner of the shaft to confirm the all clear and to probably make sure Lartik hadn’t doubled back.

“One.”

Rydak tensed his leg muscles.

“Two.”

The next explosion boomed louder than the ones before. Dirt showered down from the ceiling and they both slid their night vision goggles over their eyes. How much had Lartik used? His known expertise in explosives had taken out many during his week-long run with Di-Tel.

“Three!” Jahul shouted to be heard over the noise, launching to his feet.

Rydak stayed close, covering his Team Lead’s rear, laser up in case they ran into Lartik. A thunderous roar rose from behind as they fled across the haphazard bridge and came within view of the mine entrance. The ground shook and rolled beneath Rydak’s feet. A quick glance back revealed the rest of the place crumbling and crashing down as large slabs of rock collapsed in eerie sequence and blocked any potential of going back.

Another boom caused Rydak to lose his balance, stumbling forward. Jahul reached out clasping his forearm to keep him on his feet. Something large flew through the air and smashed into Jahul’s shoulder, separating them.

“Jahul!” The blow sent Rydak spinning around closer towards their only means of escape as he struggled to maintain his footing.

Once steady, Rydak searched the dusty plumes to track where Jahul had fallen and the delay cost him. He had one split second to make a decision and he made it without hesitation. Turning on his heels, Rydak raced toward Jahul’s slumped figure against the inner wall. His Team Lead’s head hung to the side, mouth twisted firmly in a grimace.

The last of the ceiling fragmented and slammed in front of the mine entrance, sending the space into utter darkness. The lingering cloud of dust choked Rydak through his face mask but the night vision goggles still gave him limited visibility.

“Rydak, Jahul, are you clear?”

Jahul let loose a convulsive round of coughs as Rydak dropped to his knees beside him. “There’s been an issue, Torkel. Rydak slowed me down as usual.”

Chuckles came across the ear comm and Rydak allowed a smile to grace his lips. On a mission he’d never been accused of being slow. Except by his Team Lead, who seemed to find the claim humorous in any circumstance. “We’re going to need help with evac.”

“What happened?” Determination and worry darkened Torkel’s question.

Tapping his comm and opening a private line with his Unit Leader, Rydak filled him in. He shoved his goggles to the top of his head. His mini-light was busted and Jahul’s appeared to be too along with his vision goggles. “We’re trapped. Didn’t clear the entrance before the last blast.”

“Fuck! How bad?”

Considering there was no light, Rydak didn’t have much to go on and leaned down to speak to Jahul. “Tell me everything, Jahul.”

With his hand on Jahul’s shoulder, Rydak felt Jahul release a breath on a shudder. The fine tremor was a clear indication of pain.

“Damn right leg. Felt something snap.” Jahul shifted his weight around. “Might be bleeding pretty bad too.”

Humor decided to make an appearance. Rydak reached into one of his pants pocket for a medi-pak and pressure bandage, something they all carried. “Might or are?”

Jahul chuckled. “Funny man, Rydak. Shirts sticking to my side, have my hand pressed to the wound. Can’t tell how serious but it’s soaked.”

Rydak nodded though Jahul couldn’t see the motion in the dark. He opened his comm to the whole team to give his report. Afterwards, angry mutters rang across the line from everyone.

“I can head back. Di-Tel’s not going anywhere and says Lartik’s no longer a threat. Bastard killed his own partner with a delayed poison dart after watching him set the explosives.” Khane’s solution was greeted with agreement by everyone.

“I will join Khane,” Torkel added.

Rydak expected no less. He’d never worked with anyone as dedicated as Torkel was to his Unit. As a result, he was an exceptional Leader and had a waiting list from other Jutak warriors just begging for the opportunity to join him.

“We will be here,” Rydak answered after doing his best to patch Jahul in the dark. Once done, he sat shoulder to shoulder with Jahul to wait.

“How long do you think it will take?’ Jahul’s breathing had taken on a panting quality.

Rydak didn’t want to risk giving him any of the meds from the emergency kit in his pocket without seeing the damage. “Khane won’t waste time.”

Khane’s particular skill set made him the obvious choice if anyone could get Rydak and Jahul out of the darkened hole.

The fellow Enotian had joined Team Three a few months ago after a mission gone horribly wrong on another team which he refused to discuss with anyone after the Jutak council cleared him to return to work.

Jahul’s chuckle broke through Rydak’s thoughts. “At least we completed the assignment.”

“At the risk of our lives.” Still Rydak managed to join him in laughter.

Jahul muffled a groan as he shifted beside him. Rydak contemplated checking the pressure bandage then decided to wait a bit longer.

“You should do that more.”

Lost, Rydak blinked in the darkness. Shadows shifted about in a thin stream of light provided by a crack between the crevices. “Do what more?”

“Laugh. Occasionally you smile but you hardly ever laugh.”

There wasn’t much left in his life to laugh over. He had one living family member left and the Unit. That was it. They were his family. His brethren. And not once had any of those men ever let him down.

Those on Team Three comprised the strongest and most powerful of any other Jutak team on active status. They received more calls than Team One or Team Two and more often than not, took the most dangerous missions when they were sent out.

Not that Rydak minded. He’d become a Jutak to serve and to put his inborn skills to use. It gave him purpose and some measure of satisfaction to use it for the good of his people. Rydak needed the Jutaks as much as they needed him. Otherwise, his life would have been spent regretting his differences a long time ago.

Unwilling to travel that path, Rydak redirected their conversation. “What are the odds I receive the blame for this.”

None of then would ever blame one another but his question caused Jahul to burst into a robust laugh which ended on a wheeze. Rydak braced an arm around his friend’s shoulder.

“I will see to it they all know you were slow, Jaard and I had to turn back for you.”

Leaning his head against the wall behind him to wait, Rydak grinned.

***

Out of breath from running, Torkel and Khane arrived at the mine where the trackers on Jahul and Rydak’s uniform collars signaled their location. Despite the laser burn on his leg from subduing Di-Tel, Torkel had refused to stay at the shuttle and let another of his men come for the rescue.

The damage was worse than he expected. What had once been a viable path and wide entry for miners to work in now resembled the aftermath of a rare Tsu storm.

Heart heavy, Torkel took in the condition of the old mine. Lartik had done his work too well with the bombs he’d planted inside at Di-Tel’s request. At the front of the entrance there was tons of rock which would normally require heavy lifting equipment not to mention the precarious nature of the ruined construct. A risk for his men on the inside.

Glancing at Khane with his lips set in a grim frown, Torkel asked, “Can you get them out?”

Not that he had any doubts after what he’d seen Khane do on various assignments in the past. But every case was different. Inside the unstable structure were two teammates. Friends. When you added an emotional variable, it always changed the outcome and outlook.

Khane sucked in a breath and gripped the back of his neck with one hand. His blue eyes narrowed as he took in what he was expected to do. “Nothing is as simple as it seems but I feel confident.”

Torkel stood back as Khane walked closer to what amounted to a huge debris and slab-covered opening. Knowing his men were in there with limited resources or survival tools caused Torkel’s chest to grow tight but he knew his outward expression wouldn’t reveal his concern to anyone.

Khane went to one knee and braced a palm on the ground, head bowed. The black material of his shirt stretched over his broad back. Strands of blond hair fell over his forehead. “When I start, stay back. Don’t interrupt me unless I look like I’m a danger to myself.”

Instructions Torkel had heard from him many times before so he wasn’t surprised at the directive. He’d make sure Khane didn’t hurt himself to save the others. None of them wanted that to happen. “Affirmative.”

Torkel commed Jahul. “We are here. Make sure you and Rydak aren’t close to where the collapse occurred.”

“Clear.” Rydak sounded confident and relaxed. A grin tugged up the side of Torkel’s lips. He didn’t expect anything less from Rydak. His time on the teams proved him a more than capable Jutak.

Low words flowed from Khane, rising as the chant took on a melodic rhythm. As always when watching Khane work, the hair at Torkel’s nape curled. He respected each member he’d personally selected for his Unit. Some might have viewed his requests as odd or outside the norms of protocol but when Torkel received his rank to Unit Leader, he’d wanted the best teams possible. Test results couldn’t determine that for him.

Now he had three teams that other Unit Leaders envied and none more so than his Team Three. The group was comprised of several races but all considered themselves Enotian. Elite soldiers who made Torkel’s birthright as a Marenian seem meaningless. Males he’d fought with side by side and would risk his life for without question because they’d do the same for him.

That level of loyalty between the fifteen men couldn’t be found elsewhere.

When Khane’s voice reached a crescendo, he raised both arms upward then slammed his fists on the ground and roared. Torkel flinched. The loud sound cut off abruptly but Khane’s mouth remained open in an O formation as he lifted his head and aimed his gaze on the entrance.

Torkel shifted, keeping Khane within his eye sight but also to enable him to watch as the larger of the boulders in front started to move. Cracks appeared in others and spread onto the packed ground in a direct line toward Khane. Eyes closed, his team member didn’t notice.

Fine vibrations pricked at Torkel’s skin as he shifted his weight in anticipation. Sonic blasts at levels beyond his hearing were in play. Jagged slices of stone fell away and the ground trembled. In moments, a wide wedge appeared creating an opening big enough for a person to get through. Then it grew bigger as more stones shattered.

Strain created deep lines on Khane’s forehead as he exerted himself. Torkel tapped his comm. “Rydak, can you get Jahul out or do you need assistance?”

“On it.”

Even as his response filtered through Torkel’s comm, Rydak appeared at the opening with one arm around Jahul’s waist and another around his shoulder. The Team Lead was pale, blue eyes glazed but his mouth curved in a smile as he spoke directly into Rydak’s ear. Whatever he said must have amused the tall man because Rydak’s lips twitched before he lifted his gaze and met Torkel’s.

Pleased that neither looked hurt beyond care, Torkel hurried over and picked Jahul up in his arms being careful of his leg. Khane drew a deep breath, lids fluttering and dropped to all four.

“Khane!”

Torkel exchanged looks with Rydak, who went to Khane’s side. Together they stood up. Khane winced but gave a shaky nod. “I’m good.”

With steady steps their group made their way to the shuttle and though his arms were full with Jahul, Torkel’s chest puffed with pride for these men. Elite. The best in what they did.