Stollar's Gambit

by Jason Borondy

  “What are you doing?” Kelly asked her voice was panicked.

  “I am going back to the Mech hanger to get a better look. You get to operations!” She began to run to the hanger.

  It didn’t take long to get to the hanger. She made her way around the fallen Mech. Once there, she ran up the stairs at the closest Centurion parking spot. She ran to the end of the catwalk. From this angle she could see over the wreckage of the camp perimeter wall. She could make out two landing craft, one small and one large. Four large robotic objects were approaching, and two smaller vehicles raced below them. It took a second for her to register what type they were. Armadillos and Centurions! She thought to herself. Elation washed over her. “We’re saved.”

  28

  EDS Little Rock

  Low Orbit Planet M051

  Jessica’s wait was agonizing. Her sister was alive, which seemed to elevate her fears, but the Doc was enforcing protocol and was quarantining the survivors until he could examine them. He was especially adamant after he found out that they had contact with alien lifeforms.

  “Are you going to stop pacing?” Sinclair asked, snapping her out of thought. They were in the ready room going over some of the info Thompson was briefing them on.

  “Had a few more cups of coffee more than normal, XO,” she replied sitting back in her chair. The other two men were sitting in the chairs in front of her desk. “So, what do you think of our guest?”

  Sinclair leaned forward in his seat. “I don’t know. I would have to defer to Lieutenant Ray on the matter of aliens.”

  “Well, once the Doc says it is okay, I’ll have both men examine it.” She paused, then brought up a holographic view of what was left of the camp. “What I find interesting is that it is the only intact specimen. I wonder what makes this one so special?” she said, scrolling through the images of empty armor sprawled out all over the camp.

  “That is a good question, ma’am,” Sinclair replied. “I am curious to find out.”

  She turned to Major Thompson. “What do you make of the alien weapons, Major?”

  He straightened up a bit before he answered, “At first glance it looks like they are using some sort of multi-purpose rifle. They have over and under barrels, but the diameters of each barrel are different. Unfortunately, none of them seem to be functional.”

  A beep from the desk stopped her from replying. She pressed a button to open the intercom. “This is the captain.”

  “Captain, this is Lieutenant Ray. Doctor Morris from the science team would like to know when they can be ferried down to the planet.”

  Jessica mouthed, “Are you kidding me?” to both men. Sinclair just shrugged. She regained her composure and responded. “Lieutenant Ray, please inform Doctor Morris that the circumstances have changed and that his team will have to wait a little longer. We don’t have an exact time yet. Understand?”

  “Aye, Captain. I will relay the message,” Ray replied, and the speaker clicked indicating the line was disconnected.

  She let out a breath. “The nerve of some people.” She looked at the two men in front of her and asked, “Any other inputs for my preliminary report?”

  Both men shook their heads. “Just wish we had more answers,” Sinclair stated.

  “Me too, XO. There is some good news though,” she said.

  “And what is that?” Major Thompson asked raising an eyebrow.

  “We probably have found out more about the Invaders in the last few hours than we have in the last twenty plus years,” she replied with a half-smile. “Now get to your stations. I will contact you both once I get more information.”

  Both men stood up and began to walk towards the door. Before Sinclair exited, Jessica asked Sinclair, “XO, can you send in the senior chief?”

  He turned. “Aye, Captain.” Then he headed out the door.

  A few moments later there was a ring at the door. “Enter,” Jessica called out. The door opened and Senior Chief McKnight entered, the door closing behind her. She walked over and centered herself in front of Jessica’s desk, standing at attention.

  Jessica gestured to the seats in front of her. “Have a seat, Senior Chief.” McKnight took the seat to the right of the desk. Jessica sat up straight in her seat before speaking, “How’s it going, Senior Chief?”

  “Good, ma’am. Thank you,” McKnight replied.

  “No, I mean how are you really? We haven’t talked since we met up with the Spruance,” she said.

  McKnight fidgeted a bit in her seat. Jessica could tell she was uncomfortable with the question. “Can I speak freely, Captain?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Jessica replied.

  “What the hell where you thinking? That was our investigation and we should have held on to it!” she said, voice raised. Her cheeks matched her red hair.

  Caught off guard a bit, Jessica took a moment to respond. “Keep your bearing, Senior Chief! I understand you are upset, but that doesn’t mean be disrespectful.”

  “Sorry, Captain, I meant no disrespect. I am just frustrated and not knowing what happened to my son has got me a little off my game,” McKnight replied, lowering her voice.

  “Understandable. Unfortunately, my hands were tied. Regulations stated that the senior commander has the authority to take over the investigation,” Jessica said.

  “Why didn’t you appeal to Admiral Jackson? Isn’t he a family friend of yours? Couldn’t he have overrode Kovacs?” McKnight asked.

  Jessica gritted her teeth. She hated when people brought up her family’s relationship with the admiral. “Senior Chief, I will tell you what I told Ensign Hunter when she asked the same question. I will not use my family’s relationship with the admiral to do an end round,” she said, leaning forward putting her elbows on the table. “Against popular belief, I earned my spot. I never asked the admiral for anything at all during my career.”

  “I can respect that, ma’am. Unfortunately, there are some that think otherwise.”

  Jessica sat back in her seat. “That is partially why I called you in here,” she said.

  “Oh?” the senior chief asked.

  “Yes. Keep your ears open for some wild rumors. As you know, all the current info from M051 indicates that the Invaders are back. Adding to the fact we have a dead alien body aboard. Those two things can lead to wild rumors through the ranks. Unsubstantiated rumors can kill a crew’s efficiency. If we are going to war, we need everyone focused and ready,” she said firmly.

  “I completely agree, Captain. I will make sure everyone stays focused,” McKnight replied, sitting straight up in her seat. Her cheeks seemed to return to their normal color.

  “Excellent,” Jessica said with a smile. “Do you have any else for me?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “I won’t keep you any longer then,” Jessica said.

  McKnight stood up and walked towards the door. Before the door opened, Jessica said, “Amy, we will find out what happened to your son.”

  Amy nodded in agreement. “I know we will, ma’am. Thanks,” she replied before opening the door.

  Once the door closed, Jessica pressed the button that commanded the screen to raise into a 90-degree angle. The screen came on. Icons for files from the assault team’s mission was on the screen. Now it was up to her to put this together into a report to command. She sent a preliminary report after the Invader ship jumped out of the system. Now it was time for her to give an update.

  BEEP! The sound made her jump. It was the intercom. She leaned over and pressed a button. “This is the captain.”

  “Captain, this is Doctor Gunter. Can you come down to the med bay? Alone?” he said in a German accent.

  “Sure. What is it?” she replied, a little worried.

  “I will tell you when you get here,” he replied.

  “I am on my way,” she replied and hurried out of her office.

  Jessica quickly navigated down the two decks to the med bay. She approached the door, then anxiously pressed the b
utton on the panel to open. It slid open with a hiss, then she stepped through the threshold. Unlike the rest of the ship, the med bay was painted white. The first room was octagon-shaped with six beds against each wall with another door across the room. Each bed was divided by curtains. Most of the curtains were closed around the beds. In the center of the room was a small desk and a large white box that was filled with rows of rectangular shelves.

  Doctor Gunter stood by the desk head down looking at the tablet in his hands. He was wearing a white lab coat that looked like it had built up some stains. He was at least six and half feet tall. She approached him and he looked up at her. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and he looked older than his age of forty years. He gave Jessica a surprised look. “You made it here quick!” he exclaimed.

  “You made it sound like it was urgent, Doc,” Jessica said, straight faced.

  Gunter motioned with his hand for her to follow her. She fell in behind the man. He towered over her. He walked over to one of the closed curtains and opened it. Sitting there was Haley staring off. Her hair was a darker blond than normal, and her face was streaked with dirt. Her utility blouse was removed, and she was wearing a t-shirt. The rest of her uniform was covered in sand. Jessica smiled. Haley looked at Jessica and before she could say anything, hopped off the bed and rushed her, giving Jessica a big hug. Jessica wrapped her arms around her sister relieved to see her. Then she could feel Haley begin to cry into her shoulder. Jessica couldn’t hold back. Overwhelmed, she followed suit.

  29

  EDF Headquarters

  Atlanta, Georgia Earth

  “This was a day I had hoped would not come during my Chairmanship,” the man on the screen said, his face solemn. To Admiral Jackson, it looked like the job of Chairman of the Alliance was getting to him. Chairman Edwards was one of the youngest chairmen ever elected to the AON, at age of forty-four. That was only four years ago, but streaks of gray were appearing in his dark brown hair. Crows-feet were cropping up around his gray eyes.

  “I understand, Mr. Chairman, but here we are,” Admiral Jackson replied. “I have already dispatched the 17th battle group to support the 8th.”

  “Is sending the Ranger, our newest battle carrier, into battle wise?” Edwards asked.

  Jackson took a calming breath. He understood that Edwards was a businessman before running for office. It was coming from that life that one of his first items in office was to streamline the EDF. The man had no head for strategic defense. “Sir, we ran some limited Sims through the system, and this was our best option for a first line defense.”

  “Why not just use the 6th as the first line and hold the 8th in reserve for Earth defense?” Director Rhee chimed in. His face was on the right of the split screen image.

  “Yes, Admiral, why?” Edwards asked with an eyebrow raised.

  Jackson straightened in his seat and stared into the camera. “Because all of our simulations resulted in the 6th being wiped out. With the addition of the 8th fleet and, specifically the new anti-matter weapons the Ranger carries, the odds jump up 60 percent.”

  “That seems to be better odds.” Edwards began giving what Jackson noticed as a smile. “What would give us a chance closer to 100 percent?”

  “We would have to run more simulations, but time is not on our side right now,” Jackson replied.

  “How about the Oppenheimer?” Rhee asked.

  Feeling his frustration level rise, Jackson replied, “What about it?”

  Rhee seemed to lean forward a bit as his image increased in size, “It just had a successful test firing and destroyed an object the size of a destroyer class vessel in one shot. I would think a weapon like that would increase our odds,” he said with a greasy smile.

  The Chairman cut off Jackson’s response. “That is incredible results. Let’s go with Director Rhee’s recommendation, Admiral, and send the Oppenheimer,” he said enthusiastically.

  The admiral’s face went neutral. “Sir.,the Oppenheimer is a testbed ship. It has very little defensive capabilities.”

  “I think the pros outweigh the cons, Admiral,” Edwards started. “If we can stop the treat there, then we won’t need as many resources to fall back to Earth.”

  Jackson nodded. “I understand that, sir, but we can’t rely on this plan working. We need to make sure we have Earth adequately defended,” he stated.

  “And we will, Admiral. Earth has the defensive platforms and the Sol Guard. You can move what assets you need to make sure we are adequately defended. The Oppenheimer will be sent to Grand Isle and that is final,” Edwards ordered, eyes narrowing.

  “Yes, sir. I will make the proper movements to make sure Earth and the colonies are defended,” Jackson replied in a neutral tone.

  “Very good,” Edwards said with a smile. “Once you have your plan please update me.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Jackson saw Edwards lean forward on the screen and then it went black. Shortly after that, Director Rhee’s screen went black. He cut the feed on his end, and once he was sure he wasn’t broadcasting, he slammed his hand on his desk. “Those damn fools are going to get the colonies wiped out, and we’ll be lucky to defend Earth,” he thought. He knew pulling back assets to Earth would leave the EDF’s ability to defend the colonies greatly diminished. Jackson pressed a button on his desk and a voice came over the speaker.

  “Yes, Admiral?” a female voice asked.

  “Get me a line to Mrs. Ramirez. We are going to need a few more simulations run on the system.”

  30

  EDS Little Rock

  Orbit Planet M051

  Jessica watched as Haley, now cleaned up and in a new uniform, was eating her dinner off the tray. She thought it would be good to get caught up on what happened. “Something tells me the food at Camp Chapman wasn’t that good? You are flying through your dinner pretty quick,” Jessica said.

  Haley held up an index finger while she chewed then swallowed her food. She put her hand down and spoke. “The rations were horrible. Have you had the ham?”

  Jessica smiled, “I can say I have not.”

  “I will save you from trying it. Let me just say it tastes like ass, even with the hot sauce,” Haley responded, chowing down on some fries.

  “I will make of note to avoid the ass ham then,” she chuckled.

  The curtain to Haley’s bed flew open. Startled, Jessica jumped out of her chair. Standing there was Doc, and he was wearing his usual lab coat, but his nose and mouth were covered in a mask.

  “Captain, you need to come with me. Lieutenant Ray and I have discovered something,” he said in a muffled voice.

  “With our guest?” Jessica asked confused.

  “Yes, please come with me,” he replied.

  Jessica turned to Haley, who was now covered in water. Apparently, she jumped too. “Sorry, sis, I need to take this, and you probably need to change again.”

  Haley just nodded. “I understand. Go do your captain thing.”

  Jessica turned and followed Gunter out of the med bay and down the hall to the ship’s lab. As they approached the door, Sinclair, McKnight, Thompson, and Magnuson met up with them. As they entered, Gunter handed each of them a mask.

  The lab was small in comparison to other ship’s labs. Various lab equipment was packed tightly against the walls. The room had a strong smell of rubbing alcohol that permeated through Jessica’s mask. A body in gray armor was laying on a mobile metal table in the center of the room. Pieces of armor were removed from the body. Everyone stood at one end of the room, waiting on Gunter to tell them when to approach.

  “So, Doc, what is going on, and why do you need most of the command staff here?” Jessica asked.

  “We have made a disturbing discovery. We felt it was too important not to have the senior staff here. Also, you might want to brace yourselves,” he replied.

  Frustration built up in Jessica. It was her place to determine what information to pass on to the senior staff. Not Gunter’s. She was go
ing to have to have a talk with him after this.

  They all filed around the body. The armor was thin and articulated for freedom of movement. The featureless helmet was still on. Jessica then looked down at the opening in the chest armor. Her jaw dropped at what she saw. The alien was wearing a gray EDF flight suit. The name on the chest read Magnuson. Jessica looked up where her chief engineer stood. His face was a lot whiter than it usually was. He was shaking his head in disbelief.

  “No, no, no. It can’t be!” Magnuson cried out. Gunter , who was already standing close by, grabbed the man to console him. Then he escorted Magnuson out of the room.

  “Okay, Lieutenant. Can you please explain what I am looking at?” Jessica said, her voice stern.

  “Yes, Captain,” he began, “as we can all see our friend here is wearing a EDF issued flight suit. With what appears to be Captain Magnuson’s name on it.”

  “Appears? It looks pretty real to me,” Sinclair said.

  “Maybe a poor choice of words on my part, sir,” Ray responded. “The results from our testing is that this is Captain Magnuson.”

  “How sure are you?” Jessica asked.

  “100 percent. We took a blood sample and ran a DNA test through the machine in the ship’s morgue. It came back with a positive match with Captain Magnuson.” He pulled up a tablet, keyed in some commands, and handed it to Jessica.

  She looked at the screen and the data confirmed what Lieutenant Ray reported. She passed the tablet to Sinclair for him to review. She turned back to Ray and asked, “How? How is this Captain Magnuson?”

  Lieutenant Ray shrugged. “I don’t know, yet. I am still running tests on some other blood samples.”

  Major Thompson stepped closer looking over the body. “Why is he still in one piece? From reports on the ground, after these aliens die, they become a puddle of green goo,” he asked.

  “That is a mystery too. It might be because he his human. It could be the suit that is keeping him stable. That is why we are taking it slow,” Ray replied.