Peter David - Hunted

The Earth is a distant memory, abandoned by humanity during a time of ecological catastrophe millennia ago. Humankinds descendants found a new home on a world they named Nova Prime. There they thrived and grew, until the arrival of an aggressive alien species humans dubbed the Skrel, who attacked the survivors relentlessly for years. But humankind fought back with unfailing determination, led by the valiant United Ranger Corps, and resisted the Skrels best attempts to wipe them out. The war persisted off and on over centuries, and then the Skrel genetically engineered a weapon of mass destructionone that would test Ranger determination and resourcefulness like no other.

The Ursa lunged, its mouth wide and slavering, letting out a deafening roar designed to paralyze its prey upon attack.

On first sight, it seemed to be nothing but mouth. Its gaping maw could easily have swallowed Daniel Silver whole. If chewing was required, that wouldnt be an issue, since its mouth was crammed with massive fangs. It propelled itself forward on twisted, muscular legs, its talons providing it traction on any terrain.

It was the most formidable, devastating predator on the whole of Nova Prime, and it was bearing down on Daniel with the speed and force of a hurricane.

Without hesitation and unfazed by the creatures speed, Daniel brought his pulser to bear. He was in a partial crouch in order to gain greater steadiness, and he held the pulser in a firm, double-handed grip. His eyes narrowed slightly and he fired off half a dozen quick shots. The Ursa attempted to dodge them, but Daniel adjusted without even thinking about it, each blast hitting home with unerring accuracy.

The Ursa flipped over onto its back. Its legs trembled violently as it let out an ululating howl of agony, and then with one final wail, a death rattle sounded in the creatures throat.

Suddenly the Ursa began to flicker. A faint buzzing noise accompanied the flickering.

And the monster disappeared.

Daniel twirled the pulser a few times before sliding it into the holster on his hip. There were a few appreciative whistles and a smattering of applause, and Daniel bowed in response.

There were many sharpshooting ranges throughout the city. It was a leftover from the more militaristic days of Nova Prime, when everyone was expected to be proficient in small-arms fire. Recent generations had come to rely more heavily on the Rangers, whose training had become more refined and Ursa-centric, thus allowing the balance of the population to pursue less violent vocations. Nevertheless, weapons practice was ingrained into the mentality of the Novans; you couldnt be too prepared for an Ursa incursion, after all, and even the Rangers couldnt be everywhere. The range where Daniel preferred to practice was one of the smaller ones in Nova Prime City, but its technology was absolutely state-of-the-art. Like many of the larger ranges, it carried a sizable selection of holographic targets for users to choose from, but there was no denying that the most popular of them all was the Ursa.

Daniel and the other shooters were standing behind a counter that ran the length of the gallery. The holographic targets were on the other side and would snap into existence at random moments, charging at equally random times from different directions. Glowing numbers at the far end of the range displayed each shooters success rate, and Daniels was the only one at 100 percent.

Daniel was over six feet tall, so long and lean that his teen years had been hellish. Hed been constantly tripping over his own feet until his body finally got itself sorted out. Now in his early twenties, he had brown hair so long and shaggy that he sometimes tied it back to keep it out of his eyes. He was all wiry muscle that seemed to develop naturally without his doing the slightest thing in the way of working out. His most charming asset was his ready smile, which he flashed now at the others who were complimenting him on his accuracy.

You are incredible, Danny, one of them said. No Ursa stands a chance with you.

I know, I know. Its a gift. What can I say?

You can say it doesnt mean a thing.

It was Tucker who had spoken. Tucker, the guy who owned the place. Short, squat, and barrel-chested, he walked slowly toward his customers. He had no choice in the speed of his gait; his right leg was artificial, causing him to lurch sideways. Sure, he continued, you can pat yourself on the back and talk about how great you are and take all the bows you want. But all the pulser blasts in the world wont slow down an Ursa. Not in real life. I know because years ago, I was as stupid as any of you, and when I ran into one of those things I figured I could handle it. And I was damned lucky that it only got my leg, because I wouldnt have lasted more than another second at most. And if the Rangers hadnt shown up just before that second, thered be no one standing here to tell you idiots that you shouldnt get too damned cocky. Fun and games are fine, but thishe gestured around the shooting rangethats all this is. So dont any of you get any fool notions in your head about taking on one of these in real life just because you can pop a few good shots in its head in the comfort and safety of a shooting range. Because you know nothing about nothing. Understood?

Heads bobbed in response and there were mutters of Yes, sir.

Daniels smile didnt come quite so readily as he put the pulser down, feeling an unaccustomed sense of chagrin. But he quickly brushed it aside. Daniel had never been much for allowing himself to be brought down, or at least not for long. It just wasnt in his nature.

So his smile quickly returned, and that seemed to annoy the hell out of Tucker. Did you hear anything I said, Danny? Does anything matter to you?

And the smile broadened even more. Ohhh, yeah. One thing. And thats more than enough. In fact I feel like I have to tell someone. So Im telling you, Tuck

Me? And to what do I owe this honor?

Because youre the closest thing I have to a friend. So here it is: Im proposing to Ronna.

You are?

Yup.

Tucker put out a hand and shook Daniels firmly. Congratulations.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

No problem. Who the hell is Ronna?

Ive told you about her. You mustve forgotten

I dont forget a thing, Danny. Youve never mentioned a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend. I just figured you were, what do you call it a hermoglodyte.

I have no freaking clue what that is.

Its someone who doesnt care about either sex.

Kind of doubt that, but in any event, thats not me. He paused, his eyebrows knitting. Did I really never tell you about her?

Not a word.

Daniel thought about it and then smiled again. Well maybe I just kind of liked keeping her to myself. Plus, you know, I tell you about her and then youre always asking how she is, and it becomes a thing.

A thing?

A whole thing, yeah. And time goes by and youre asking me how were doing, and if were talking about getting married, and all that stuff.

Tucker stared at him. Daniel out of curiosity, in your own mind, just how much time do you think I spend giving a damn about your personal life?

Probably none.

Try definitely none. Propose, dont propose. I absolutely could not care less.

Thats good to know, Tuck, said Daniel, and he strode out with that typical sway of his. Tucker watched him go and then shook his head.

Itll never last.

The city was finally shaking off a lengthy heat wave, and consequently a welcome breeze was wafting through and taking much of the humidity with it. The smart fabric that composed the curved walls of the apartment was allowing the evening breeze to flow through it while keeping out the humidity. The apartment itself was sparsely furnished, the living room decorated with simple, curved chairs and a round table in the kitchen area. Daniel was looking in the other direction, gazing out through a window at the glowing residences of Nova Prime City that studded the landscape, a glittering testament to the resilience of humanity.