Read Weird Space 2: Satan's Reach for Free Online Page B

And I was, once upon a time.”
    “Oh, and what happened?”
    “That’s another long story, for another time. Let’s just say that I had to get away.”
    He was about to change the subject when he heard footsteps issuing from the exit to his left.
    Zeela stiffened, regarding him with wide eyes.
    He placed a finger to his lips, then gestured for her to lie down. He sat back against the rock and half-closed his eyes. He gripped the data-pin in his right hand, readying himself to attack.
    As before, three Ajantans stepped into the chamber. They halted and looked around at the scattered humans as if deciding which one to take. The armed guard was just too far away, Harper judged, to attack without the risk of being shot. Perhaps if it moved closer...
    To his alarm, the two unarmed aliens stepped towards him, exchanging comments in their fluting tongue. The first one gestured to Zeela and, as Harper watched mutely, bent to pick her up.
    He thought fast. He would allow them to lift her – hoping that Zeela wouldn’t give the game away and struggle – and then he’d follow and attack.
    He watched through slitted eyes as the Ajantans gripped the girl’s shoulders and ankles, braced themselves, and lifted. He had expected them to struggle under her weight, but they proved to be surprisingly strong as they hefted Zeela between them and moved towards the exit. The armed alien, ever watchful, scanned the cavern and then followed his compatriots through the exit.
    Just as the alien was passing from sight, Harper saw something attached to its skinny arm – his wrist-com...
    He counted to three, sprang to his feet, and gave chase.
    The corridor was low, designed for Ajantans, and he had to crouch as he loped along after them. The guard was a couple of metres ahead, and strategically positioned glowbugs cast dancing shadows across the rocky floor.
    He had to act sooner rather than later. The guard was carrying his rifle casually now, its muzzle pointing at the ground. As the trio rounded a bend in the corridor, Harper took his opportunity. He leapt forward, grabbed the alien beneath its oleaginous chin, and drove the data-pin into the centre of its back with all the force he could muster. He felt the pin slide through muscle and hit bone.
    He withdrew the pin as the alien squealed and fell. He grabbed its rifle, pulled his wrist-com from its arm, and ran around the corner. He came upon the remaining pair so suddenly that he had no time to find the rifle’s trigger – so he used the weapon as a club and slammed its butt against the head of the closest alien. Its skull crunched with surprising ease and its brains, pale and gelatinous, slopped against the tunnel wall.
    Zeela fell to the ground with a cry, then struggled upright and kicked out at the remaining alien. She missed, and the Ajantan fell into a crouch and leapt at her. Harper found the firing stud and levelled the weapon, but Zeela was between himself and the alien and he couldn’t get a clean shot. The Ajantan hit Zeela and they rolled, a spray of red blood – human blood – jetting into the air.
    Zeela screamed in terror. She and the alien rolled apart as they hit the ground. Harper swung the rifle and fired. At least a dozen darts slammed into the alien’s narrow chest. At such close range the darts crunched bone. The alien squealed, spasmed, and lay still.
    He ran to Zeela and pulled her upright. Her dress was slashed across her left shoulder, and with it the flesh beneath. She pressed a hand against the wound, then raised bloody fingers to her incredulous eyes.
    She looked over his shoulder and screamed.
    Harper turned in time to see the alien he’d stabbed – the same alien he thought he’d killed – dive at him. He lifted the rifle and thrust, and impaled the Ajantan on the barrel. Behind him Zeela gagged. Harper pulled his rifle free and grabbed her hand.
    Before them, the corridor forked.
    “Do you have any idea,” he asked, “which way is up?”
    She