The Aurigan Republic

Chapter 11

AG was the last to enter the cave. The interior was poorly lit but one of the women led with confidence. The group moved quietly in a single file. Even the children, now exhausted from their earlier crying, didn't make a sound and moved in silence. By the time the group reached the cave, the gunfire had gone silent. One could only assume that the attack was over and there were no longer survivors actively resisting within the town. Despite the losses, AG could see the determination in the women's eyes. They hadn't given up on their struggle, unlike the eyes AG was so accustomed to.

He could still recall those rainy days when he was surrounded by strangers. The evacuation was interrupted when the port was under heavy bombing. All civilians were directed underground where they felt and heard the bombing above ground. The adults all had despair in their eyes and the despair was contagious. None of the children made a sound. AG curled up into a ball and thought about his parents. He replayed the farewell they had and wondered if he could see them again. This was the first time he had seen his father in tears. His father was such a strong man who never showed his emotions to anyone. That was the day when he showed a part of him AG never thought existed. Thinking back, AG understood that his parents knew how bad the situation was and that farewell was indeed their final farewell.

Unlike the civilians who gave up while they waited for the bombing above ground to end, the women moved with no sign of stopping. They urged the children on gently and their energy helped motivate the children. The group then reached a large cavern filled with supplies and food. AG suspected that this cave wasn't picked by random chance. The locals had somehow anticipated the attack or some sort of emergency which required them to evacuate. Knowing that his food supplies wouldn't last long for the group, AG found some relief to see how many supplies were stored in the cave. With the help of the flashlights taken from one of the backpacks on the ground, everyone had a chance to go through the supplies stored. AG, noting the various food, water, first aid and other survival items, estimated that they had enough for at least a week.

"We should keep going," said the woman in the lead. "There are rooms dug out deeper in the cave we can use for our resting quarters."

The mention of resting quarters yielded some yawns from the women and children. Since AG was so accustomed to combat, he didn't feel tired. However, he was still human at the end of the day and proper rest would do him more good. In addition, a safe place to rest would allow him to rest more than he previously had. The extra bit of rest could make all the difference to his survival. He might be stuck with the group but, if things went poorly, he had to put his own life first. He would not hesitate to abandon the group if that improved his chances of survival. To his limited knowledge, he was the only one with any firearms. It was simply not feasible to keep the group alive if he was the only combatant. In a situation where they were discovered in the cave, no amount of firepower could save them from the enemy. All the enemy needed was one or two bunker busters and they would be dead.

While the idea of being trapped in the cave alerted his instincts, he also knew the dangers of wandering out in the wilderness when the enemy controlled the air. It shouldn't take long for the enemy to find the soldiers he killed and then they would be scouring the surrounding area. As he thought about the enemy scouring the area, he cursed internally at an oversight. Their group did nothing about their tracks and the enemy would easily be led to the cave they were in. He wouldn't be surprised if enemy soldiers were already at the cave mouth planning their next move. They were aware the group was armed, so their options were likely smoke grenades and bunker busters. He doubted the enemy saw anyone valuable enough to risk the lives of more soldiers. If they did, that could greatly improve their chances of surviving the ordeal.

Before AG could wonder further about what the enemy might be up to, he was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw the face of the group's leader in a dim light. The sight made his heart beat rapidly but, before he could make a sound, he saw her finger pressed against her lip. He nodded and then followed her down one of the side tunnels. The two of them walked for a few minutes up crudely made steps until they reached a chamber. AG immediately noted that light was shining through an opening. His eyes took awhile to adjust to the light while he sat down on one of the benches opposite the woman.

"Thank you for helping us, stranger." The woman offered a smile. "May I ask if you are the one who has been subtly raiding our food and supplies over the last month?"

AG couldn't contain his smile and nodded.

"Who are you?"

AG studied the woman with the light and noted no visible weapons on her. Even if she had a melee weapon, he was certain he could overwhelm her. Therefore, he knew she was taking a big risk by speaking with him alone. He then went through the many scenarios he made up while he was fleeing early. He wanted to make up an alibi should he be captured alive by the locals. After a lengthy internal debate, he opened his mouth.

"I was part of the mercenary group that was sent on a mission more than a month ago. We were ambushed and I was the only survivor."

"If I'm not mistaken, that was a government facility you were attacking?"

AG nodded and thought to himself. When his mercenary group first took up the mission to blow up the warehouse, they had worries about the local populace being extremely hostile. Their engagement with some locals confirmed that. However, he realized the locals might have mistaken them for government troops. The earlier attack on the town was not a drill or scripted. Those were indeed government soldiers and local militia fighting one another. Blood was spilled and he wouldn't even be surprised if the town was burning down right at that moment.

"May I ask what's happening between the local towns and the government?" AG asked in hopes of confirming his theory.

"The newly elected leader wishes to oppress my people," she replied after some hesitation. "We don't wish to be slaves and would rather fight for our freedom."

AG's mind quickly put together the pieces of the puzzle. The image of the empire being united and peaceful proved to be false. The locals undoubtedly lacked the resources to make their cases known. It was entirely possible that everything happening in these towns was censored. If there were no witnesses to the incidents, then no one would be any wiser. Even if he wished to abandon the group, he would be caught in the crossfire of the government forces and the local militias. It was obvious to him that he was trapped in this conflict and he must tread carefully.