by Jan Domagala
“Would you?” Rover replied calmly.
De Boer looked at Hawk and they both knew the answer to that question. Although they were both soldiers and accustomed to battle conditions, their priorities had always been the protection of the Confederation and it’s people and they would never needlessly endanger innocent lives in the pursuit of their goal.
“Thank you for your time, sir,” Hawk said as he turned to go, then as the group were about to leave he added, “Tell Mister Wilde we’ll catch him later.” Within seconds they were through the entrance and out of the building.
Softly, more to himself really, Rover said, “I’ll pass that message along personally, sir.”
Outside the building De Boer said, “Well that went well.”
“At least now we know how deeply ingrained this goes,” replied Hawk thoughtfully.
“How so?”
“Well, look, who or rather what was the representative who spearheaded our welcoming committee, a clone. I now think this goes right to the top although it is conceivable that Wilde could have run a programme of cloning through a business as big as this one with so many offshoots and subdivisions without Eisenhower knowing, but somehow I doubt it. He didn’t get to run one of the largest mega corps in the galaxy without at least some idea of what’s going on throughout the entire business structure, otherwise he could be ousted by an internal coup. No, I think Eisenhower is also involved here which makes our job just that much harder I’m afraid.”
“What do we do now then?” Tanya asked, voicing the concerns they were all feeling.
“I think our best bet is to return to the Valkyrie for now. I’ll contact General Sinclair with an update and take it from there. He may be able to get a warrant issued so we can come back and do this legally through the proper channels or he may want us to take other action. We’ll know better when I’ve given him my report,” Hawk suggested, leading them back inside the shuttle.
“Other action? I don’t like the sound of that,” muttered Tanya as she followed Hawk inside the shuttle.
* * * * *
Jonas Wilde had watched the exchange through the Rover’s eyes, the Rover’s NI having been linked to the building’s computer so that the visual images seen by the clone were transformed into electrical impulses that the brain recognised. These impulses were transmitted to the computer via the NI and transferred to the monitor on Wilde’s desk, something the mega corp. was trying out for the military to eradicate the need for helmet cams. One day soon he hoped to make it possible to link the images NI to NI and therefore enable soldiers on the ground to see what each other saw. It would take some getting used to but he was confident it could be done and his Rovers would be the testing ground.
After hearing the exchange and watching his daughter leave he called the Rover 5, who by that time had arrived at where Tanis Rygar and his team were waiting.
Linking the call also to Rygar, he said, “They are heading back to their ship in orbit, make sure they don’t reach it. I want them all dead.”
Rover 5 looked at Rygar coldly and said, “Let’s go.”
15
As the shuttle lifted off from the parking area allotted them in front of the MaxCorp building, Hawk was in contact with General Sinclair via a secure sub space channel. “It seemed like they knew we were coming, sir, and had time to prepare,” he added after he’d recounted what had happened.
“Damn, I hate all this red tape and jurisdictional crap,” Sinclair replied, giving vent to his frustration.
“Do you want us to go back and bring him with us, sir? We could do it as a black op, monitor his whereabouts and go in after dark around three am in the morning,” asked Hawk.
“The direct method may turn out to be our best option, but not yet, Matt. As much as I want to give you the green light I must try other alternatives. I don’t like the implication that Maxwell Eisenhower may be involved. I agree that it seems improbable that Jonas Wilde has done an end run around him and that he’s unaware of the situation, which only makes it that much harder to make a case against them. The legal power they can bring to bear against us is phenomenal. For Christ’s sake, they supply the Confederation with seventy-five per cent of our weapons technology and eighty-seven per cent of the rest of our software so we have to be very careful here. I dread to think what would happen if they could raise any military force against us. They’d be a formidable threat,” Sinclair commented.
“I don’t want to be a doomsayer, sir, but what if that is their plan? I mean why else would they have a cloning programme? I’ve seen two of the normals and one military grade, who’s to say there aren’t any more? We need to close them down and soon, sir,” Hawk suggested.
“I take your point, Matt, and will take it under advisement. This is another reason why we have to bring an airtight case against them before the courts so we can stop all their activities,” Sinclair agreed.
“You mentioned that they supply seventy-five per cent of our weapons technology?”
“That’s right.”
”What’s to say that they haven’t kept a few new developments for themselves plus, if they know what they’ve supplied us, then they know how to get around our security protocols, defence shield configurations and all the rest. If they could gain access to our computer network they could shut our entire military operation down, they could even cripple civilian operations too. What would the Alliance give to own that technology or what does OMEGA plan to do with it? Are they capable of implementing it themselves? Sir, I feel this threat is very real and we have to move fast.”
“I agree, Matt, and believe me we’re moving as fast as we can on this. Sit tight on the Valkyrie and I’ll get back to you shortly with new orders,” Sinclair said before closing the com. channel.
“You paint a pretty bleak picture,” De Boer commented after Hawk had finished speaking. He’d noticed the expression on his face and knew how worried he was about what could happen.
“I just hope I’m wrong. So far in everything we’ve done they seem to either be one step ahead of us or at the very least, one step behind and able to catch up and keep pace with us. It’s almost like they’re listening to our every word and watching our every move,” Hawk replied.
Before De Boer could comment the pilot said, “We’ve got company,” and the shuttle was buffeted by plasma cannon fire.
“What the fuck?” exclaimed De Boer as they were tossed around in their seats. Had it not been for the safety harnesses holding them in place they would have been thrown around the interior of the shuttle like rag dolls.
“Get the shields up,” ordered Hawk, then to no one in particular, asked, “How did they find us so fast?” As soon as that thought was aired he looked at Tanya. A thought was clawing at his mind trying to break free but another salvo of plasma cannon fire rocked the shuttle sending it back into the recesses of his subconscious to languish there until the time it could safely surface once more.
“Get us back to the Valkyrie and fast,” Hawk shouted to the pilot.
“I’m trying, sir,” replied the pilot.
Inside the shuttle, situated on the back of the headrests of each seat, were monitors that could be used for external views and Hawk had the one facing him tuned to a rear view so he could see who was firing at them.
“Isn’t that the same damn craft that attacked us before?” Hawk asked when he had a clear visual. The pilot of the shuttle was taking evasive action, throwing the sleek shuttle through a series of aerial manoeuvres he hoped would help him lose the attacking craft.
“It looks like it is,” replied De Boer, once he had his monitor tuned to the same view.
“Then we’re in serious trouble, if I remember right that thing had superior shielding, enough to withstand several missile strikes that should’ve destroyed a craft of that class.”
“Yea, military class defence capability,” agreed De Boer.
“This is a military shuttle too, sir. We have a few tricks up our sleeve also,”
the pilot added confidently from his seat as he threw the shuttle through a tight looping turn to starboard throwing his passengers against their seat harnesses once more.
“Do we have any weapons on board? I’d love to give those bastards a bloody nose,” asked De Boer.
“We have plasma cannons fore and aft and a compliment of Sabre missiles,” replied the pilot, “but I could sure use an extra pair of hands up here on the weapons console though.”
“I’m on it,” said the marine seated next to De Boer. He overrode the safety protocols on his seat so that he could release his harness, then he was up and running towards the forward section.
“Right then, one bloody nose coming up,” he said as he strapped himself into the co-pilot’s seat and began to familiarise himself with the weapon’s console controls.
“Pilot, take us down low, as tight as you can against the rooftops. I’m hoping it’ll confuse their targeting scanners with all the electronic interference from the buildings long enough for us to gain some distance,” Hawk shouted as he ran different strategies through his mind hoping to come up with something they could use.
“Aye, sir,” agreed the pilot and he put the shuttle through a tight looping dive back towards the city once more.
Plasma fire from the chasing attack craft narrowly missed them as they suddenly changed direction, but it wasn’t long before the pursuit was on again with them firing regardless of their close proximity to the buildings and their occupants. As the shuttle flew in low across several flight lanes used by civilian craft such as sky-cabs, between buildings, above streets, the pursuit craft followed firing her plasma cannons in rapid bursts.
Plasma bolts struck buildings, destroying huge portions of the structures; explosions erupted along their flight path as they fired at them indiscriminately. In one instance a plasma bolt struck an escaping sky-cab sending it hurtling into the side of a building in a huge fireball. The building exploded where the sky-cab impacted with it and burst into flames that were soon spreading throughout the wreckage. Only the building’s fire prevention protocols prevented the fire spreading onto those adjacent to it initially, but soon the flames were so intense that they overwhelmed even those and the Fire Department had to be called. Many people would die in that building alone before the fire was brought under control, a fact that Hawk could not allow to affect his decision-making processes.
Seeing the destruction their altered flight path had caused, Hawk said, “Take us back up and return fire as soon as you get a lock. I want those bastards stopped.”
De Boer saw the expression on his face and knew that the decision to fly into the city for cover was a calculated risk that hadn’t worked as hoped and the consequences would lie heavy on Hawk’s mind for a long time to come.
Without a word the pilot took the shuttle straight up out of the cityscape and into the air. The marine manning the weapons console was taking care to get as tight a lock on the attacking craft as possible to minimise the chance of missing and thus adding to the damage and loss of life already caused by their flight through the city.
“I have a lock,” he shouted.
“Fire!” Hawk ordered and from the rear pods that had elongated out from the sides of the shuttle two Sabre missiles ignited their fuel pods and, having locked onto the designated target, went streaking towards their pursuers.
Within seconds the forward momentum of the targeted craft and the speed of the missiles had closed the gap between them. The ensuing explosion when the two met sent a fireball followed by a shockwave outwards that almost reached the rooftops below. The escaping shuttle though had enough velocity to outrun them both. Sitting watching the monitor intently, Hawk waited to see the outcome of the retaliatory missile strike and was disheartened when he saw the craft come hurtling through the fireball trailing fiery tendrils in her wake.
“Still in pursuit,” observed the marine at the weapons console and he opened fire with the aft plasma pulse cannons.
“We need more speed or higher yield to the missiles,” suggested Hawk to the two marines hard at work in the two pilots’ chairs up front.
“That may be a problem, sir,” replied the weapons officer calmly.
Almost afraid to ask, Hawk said, “Why?”
“Because they’ve just got a weapon’s lock on us in preparation for firing a missile,” came the reply.
Looking at Hawk, Tanya asked, “Can this thing survive something like that?”
Hawk glanced at De Boer for confirmation but all he received was a blank, non-committal expression, which meant either he didn’t know or they were about to die. Always wanting to keep a positive attitude, he chose to believe the former and hoped that the boys who built the shuttle knew what they were doing. However, balancing that against not wanting to lie to her he said, “We’re about to find out,” then smiled in a reassuring way.
Tanya glanced away so that Hawk couldn’t see the fear in her eyes. Then he saw De Boer look at him and he knew they were in trouble.
* * * * *
On board the attack craft Tanis Rygar was the pilot whilst the Rover was manning the weapons.
“Get closer,” the clone ordered once more. It was the one order he’d kept on repeating since they’d locked onto the girl’s tracking chip signal.
“If I get any closer we’ll be on board with ’em,” Rygar replied sardonically.
“I’ve got a missile lock on them,” Rover said coldly.
“At this range we’ll be killed too, I’d better pull back,” Rygar replied, not daring to take his eyes off the shuttle they were chasing for fear of either losing it or crashing into it.
“You do and I’ll kill you myself,” Rover replied coldly.
“But…”
“But nothing, our shields will protect us against the blast, now hold her steady,” explained Rover coldly and calmly, so coldly in fact he reminded Rygar of a cobra about to strike.
“Missile away,” Rover said with a press of a touch pad on the weapons console, then with a trace of satisfaction added, “I’ve got you now!”
* * * * *
“Incoming,” shouted the weapons officer.
“Shields to full power,” ordered Hawk.
“Already done, sir,” replied the marine.
Within seconds the missile had closed the gap between them as its onboard computer locked onto the signal from the shuttle’s electronic equipment and homed in on its target. Whatever the outcome one thing was certain, it would not miss.
Captain Jefferson on the Valkyrie had been monitoring the action with intensity. Frustration fuelled him as he paced the bridge listening to the audio feed from down below.
“Is there nothing we can do?” he asked as he stopped at the ops station.
“I’ve got an active lock on them, sir, but at this range I’m not certain it would do any good.”
Making a decision, he contacted the other transport also in orbit and said, “Captain, you maintain position here and monitor this frequency. I’ve seen that craft before and our boys are going to need help so I’m taking the Valkyrie down. As soon as I have them we’ll make the jump and head for Earth as ordered.”
“Aye Captain, we’ll keep scanners tightly on you and all our weapons charged just in case,” came the reply.
Jefferson turned to his pilot and said, “Take us down there on an intercept course.”
“Sir, we may be too late,” warned the ops officer.
“What!” exclaimed Jefferson.
“They’ve just fired a Sabre missile at them, sir.”
* * * * *
The missile impacted against the aft shields of the shuttle and exploded in a fireball that threatened to engulf the sleek craft as it consumed the oxygen in close proximity as fuel. The force of the blast threw the shuttle forward and into a tight tailspin that the pilot struggled to control. The aft shields protected the shuttle from serious damage by absorbing the energy released by the explosion and deflecting the remainder away from it.
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br /> End over end the shuttle spun out of control for many seconds during which her passengers were powerless to do anything to help until the pilot had her once more under his control. As he brought her out of the spin and on an even keel he said, “We can’t take another hit like that, the shields barely held that time, so if you guys have any suggestions back there, I’m all ears.”
“Soon as you get a lock on her, let her have everything we have. Let’s see how they hold up against a full brace of Sabre missiles set to full yield. That should stop them cold and if it doesn’t at least we’ll have the time to make a run for the Valkyrie,” Hawk replied quickly.
“I’m on it,” replied the marine, manning the weapons console confidently.
“Sirs, the Valkyrie is approaching fast on an intercept course,” the pilot said, informing the rest of the crew.
“She’s coming to lend a hand, keep evasive manoeuvres going until you release the missiles then match her course. Our chances of getting out of this have just doubled,” observed Hawk, with a smile aimed at Tanya.
* * * * *
Rygar flew the attack craft through the fireball, momentarily losing sight of the shuttle. As they emerged, trailing fiery tendrils behind them, he saw the shuttle off to the side having been pushed off course by the blast.
“There they are,” he muttered to himself.
“They must have improved their shield capability,” observed Rover when he saw no discernible damage to the shuttle.
Rygar attempted to bring the craft around and get behind the shuttle once more, but the shuttle pilot had anticipated the manoeuvre and had looped his craft over to starboard whilst firing both forward and aft plasma pulse cannons laterally at her attacker. The plasma bolts had no effect on the attack craft shields other than to push her away slightly, but it was just enough for the shuttle to complete the turn and put more distance between them.
