by Jan Domagala
“Well we’ve actually got a platoon of Recon Delta aboard the Odyssey waiting for the go, no go signal from me.”
Garvey was on his feet and around his desk in a flash, “Come on General, we’ve not a moment to lose,” he said.
“Where are you going?” Sinclair asked.
“With you of course. Come on, you can ask whatever you want once we’re on board. If you’re planning on mounting an operation out there then I plan on being with you.”
“If that’s what you want Admiral.”
“If you want the answers to your questions Sinclair then you have no choice but to agree.”
“I suppose so, let’s go then, Matt, call a shuttle for the three of us,” Sinclair said as he stood next to the Admiral.
“You know Sinclair, I never thought I’d ever go back to that place, and when you hear what I have to say, you’ll know why,” Garvey said as he walked past the General toward the door.
Not wanting to delay things, Sinclair simply followed Garvey.
The Cessna C210, nicknamed the Silver Dart because of her swept back, fin-like wings and sleek silhouette, was waiting for them on the landing pad on the surface when they exited the elevator. They quickly walked across the plascrete to where the shuttle was perched on its landing struts waiting to pounce into the air like the sleek bird of prey it was.
The hatchway was open and Lieutenant O’Neil, the flight attendant, was standing in the doorway waiting for them to come aboard.
“Good evening gentlemen, we’re ready for takeoff as soon as you’re all aboard,” she said, her blue eyes shining in the evening sky.
The three of them quickly took their seats as Captain Wright took the shuttle up into the air.
Lieutenant O’Neil disappeared into the flight attendants area to allow the passengers some privacy.
“Well Garvey, are you going to fill me in with what I need to know?” Sinclair asked.
“When we’re on our way General, don’t worry you’ll know everything you need well in advance of our arrival, and believe me, you’ll wish you hadn’t asked,” Garvey replied.
Matt looked across the aisle at the General who’s expression was one of building anger and frustration at being kept in the dark by the Admirals enigmatic replies.
“If you’re trying to scare me Garvey all you’re succeeding in doing is pissing me off,” replied Sinclair angrily.
“Well you should be scared Sinclair because you have no idea what we’re heading into, no idea,” Garvey answered.
Sinclair sat back and stared at Garvey, “Okay I’ll play along, but as soon as we’re aboard the Odyssey and on our way you had better tell me all you know. If this is as bad as you say then I want to be as prepared as possible,” he said.
The Silver Dart was soon swooping up through the atmosphere and up into outer space.
Ahead of them in space dock was the large star ship called the Odyssey that would take them all to the Tartaran Battlefield and into seven kinds of hell they had, no idea was waiting for them.
Captain Wright docked the Silver Dart in the docking bay of the Odyssey and the passengers disembarked and made their way up to the bridge where Captain Tyler Biggs was waiting for them along with Colonel De Boer.
“Good to see you again Colonel, you too Captain,” Sinclair said as he entered the bridge.
“Good to see you too sir, we’re all ready to go, just need the final say on our departure orders,” De Boer said.
“Captain Biggs we leave now for the Tartaran Battlefield,” Sinclair said to Biggs.
Biggs gave the order to the pilot and then asked, “Sir is there anything else I can do for you?”
“We need the use of your ready room,” Sinclair replied then turned to Garvey and said, “Now Garvey, you tell me what I want to know.”
Without waiting for a reply Sinclair turned and headed for the exit followed by Matt and the Admiral.
32
Whilst treading water Kurt was doing two other things simultaneously, he was, both looking for Natasha and watching out for the large aquatic predators that seemed to have come back almost the instant Natasha and he landed back in the pool.
He knew that she had survived the fall as he’d allowed his own body to bear the brunt of the impact with the water. His own wounds from the gunshot had already healed and the bruises on his back from the impact were fading fast too.
All he could think of was that Natasha was in for one hell of a surprise when she resurfaced.
At the far end of the pool he saw a large fin emerge from the depths of the pool and slowly it began to come toward him where he floated in the centre of the pool directly beneath the hole in the domed ceiling of the cavern. It didn’t come straight toward him but rather chose a path that would take it around him. The aquatic predator obviously wanted to circle its prey before dining.
Three more fins broke the surface, one after the other and fell in line so that there were four of the huge beasts aiming to circle him.
Suddenly a head broke the surface next to him startling him as he’d been concentrating on the beasts.
Natasha began coughing and spluttering as she tried to regain her breath. Kurt reached out and grabbed her to steady her and she looked at him in total surprise.
“I thought you were dead,” she managed to say in between coughs and sucking in great breaths of air.
“Not yet I’m not, I’m pretty hard to get rid of,” Kurt replied with a smile. He was pleased she was alright, her questions could be dealt with later, right now they had larger concerns, four of them heading their way.
Where the hell did they come from?” she said when she saw the four fins circling them.
I was just wondering the same thing myself,” Kurt replied.
He watched as the beasts circled them and at the same time scanned the area for any sign of another exit to the cavern. Those beasts had to have come from somewhere but even his enhanced vision couldn’t pick anything out.
“What do we do now?” Natasha asked looking around also watching the great beasts.
“I’m working on it,” Kurt replied then he accessed a com channel via his NI and called Riley. “Captain Riley what’s your status?” he said.
Outside the cavern Riley and the rest of the Wildfire Team were looking at the group of large octo felines that was not too far away and staring at them with a malevolent glare in their eyes.
“We’ve a few problems of our own at the moment Kurt,” Riley said.
“Boss, what do we do now, do you think we have the firepower to take out all those, whatever they are?” Vance asked as he stood by Riley’s shoulder.
“What about getting off this place now that our ride has been trashed?” asked Cooper.
“I hope you are not referring to me sir’s,” the Pulsar’s AI said as the smoke cleared from around the forward section of the craft. “It would take a lot more than a three Sabre missiles to ‘trash’ me Lieutenant Cooper,” Artie added as the forward hatch opened for them to get aboard.
Riley looked at his team mates and said, Let’s get aboard now.”
“Yes sir, you don’t need to tell me twice,” Vance said.
“Kurt, hang tight my friend, we’re on our way,” Riley said through the com channel.
The octo felines ran at the small group as they sprinted for the Pulsar’s forward section.
Riley was the first to reach the ramp leading up to the hatch in the small craft. He sprinted up the ramp followed by the rest of the team. As soon as the last member passed through the hatch it slammed shut.
“Artie get us out of here fast,” Riley shouted and the AI took the craft up into the air seconds before the pack of octo felines over ran their position on the ground.
“Artie scan for Kurt Stryder and whoever is with him and take us up over his position. We have to get them aboard,” Riley said as he led the team forward to the flight deck.
“Sir, Captain Stryder and Miss Garvey are deep in a cavern ahead of us s
urrounded by what appears to be four very large fish. There is an access shaft on the top of the rise above the tunnel,” replied the AI as it piloted the craft up to the top of the cliff face.
“Can we drop a line down to them through the shaft?” asked Riley.
“Yes sir.”
“Then hurry Artie, they are in danger if those fish are like those creatures we just escaped from,” Riley said urgently. He had come so far to see again the woman he still loved and to have her snatched away at the last moment would be fate’s cruel twist, one he was not about to let happen.
“Yes sir, be prepared to bring them aboard,” Artie replied.
“Kurt, we’ll be over your position in a few seconds. We’ll drop a line down to you to winch you up,” Riley said through the com channel.
Kurt and Natasha were still treading water in the pool being circled by the four huge aquatic beasts.
“Make it quick Riley, we’ve got company and they look hungry,” Kurt replied.
“Do you still have your gun?” Natasha asked as she pulled her’s up to show him. Somehow she had miraculously kept hold of on the way down into the pool.
Kurt pulled his own Sig free from his shoulder holster and jacked the slide.
“Don’t do anything just yet, these creatures aren’t showing any signs of hostility at the moment,” Kurt said as he watched the beasts.
“Are you serious?” Natasha almost screamed, she was getting freaked out being so close to such huge predators of the deep in their own habitat.
“All the other creatures we’ve come into contact with have been aggressive toward us more or less on sight, why not these?” Kurt said.
“I don’t know but I’m not going to argue the point. I’m not about to look a gift shark thingy in its freekin’ huge mouth,” Natasha replied.
Just then, a rope ladder dropped down from the hole in the roof above. It splashed into the water between the two of them.
“Right, up you go,” Kurt said as he grabbed the ladder to steady it for her.
Without saying anything, Natasha grabbed hold of the ladder and began climbing.
“Don’t look down, just keep climbing,” Kurt urged as he watched her pull herself clear of the water. Once she was a few yards above him he began to climb free of the water himself.
Even as he began to climb the beasts continued to circle where the two of them had been and when he was clear of the water ascending the rope ladder the beasts continued their uncharacteristic circling of their intended prey.
On the command of Riley, Artie began to winch the ladder up once the two of them had started to climb. It speeded their rescue process up considerably and within minutes, Natasha followed by Kurt was climbing aboard the forward section of the Pulsar.
As Natasha stood up, she turned to see Riley standing watching her. She smiled nervously, then said, “Good to see you Jake, you’re looking good.”
“Thanks, you too,” Riley replied stiffly.
“Oh please, is that the best you two can do?” Torres said.
“Leave it Torres,” Riley scolded.
“Why Jake, so you two can play this game where no one tells the truth about how they feel for each other. Okay sir, if that’s what you want.”
“Why, how do you feel Jake?” Natasha asked.
“How do you think I feel?” Riley said his face a tight mask of repressed emotion. He spun away from her and left the room heading for the bridge. “Artie take us up to rejoin the rest of the Pulsar,” he said.
“What did I miss?” Kurt asked as he came aboard.
“Sir I have several large flying creatures coming straight for us, I think they are about to attack,” Artie said.
“This just keeps getting better and better,” Vance said.
33
The Wildfire Team with Kurt and Natasha all reached the bridge in time to witness the flock of winged creatures that seemed to fill the sky, viewed through the forward viewport.
They marvelled at the sight of the creatures as they powered their way through the evening sky toward the escaping craft.
Each creature had an estimated wingspan of around fifty yards. They had long bodies with legs that ended with powerful talons on four appendages. Their heads were long and pointed, shaped like a spearhead with a long razor sharp serrated beak. Brightly coloured plumage adorned their bodies and wings making them beautiful yet deadly.
The flock numbered hundreds of these creatures making it virtually impossible for the Pulsar’s forward section to get through and reach the rest of the craft in orbit.
“Holy shit!” Torres said when she saw what was heading their way.
“As an understatement that’s gotta be in the top ten,” commented Cooper.
“Artie, have we the firepower to blast our way through them?” Riley asked with mounting concern.
“I doubt it very much sir. Our supply of missiles is limited and our pulse cannons could pick off many of them but their ariel superiority would make targeting them most difficult. I estimate the odds of making it through them at only twenty seven to one,” replied the AI.
“Suggestions anyone?” Riley asked as he knew their time was running out.
Kurt stepped forward to say, “You know what we have to do, we haven’t much choice. We have to return to the surface.”
“You’re kidding right, go back down there? You can’t be serious,” Vance said.
“He’s right, we have to return to the surface, if we try to fight our way through we’ll lose. Those creatures will trash us and we’d crash. We have no choice, we’ll just have to find the safest landing site we can and try and contact General Sinclair with a sit-rep. Hopefully he’ll send some reinforcements to help us,” Riley said.
“That has got to be one of the worst ideas in a long list of bad ideas,” Cooper said.
“Artie, quick as you can, locate a landing site and take us there,” Riley ordered.
“Hold tight sir’s, taking evasive action and scanning for possible landing site,” Artie replied and he put the forward section through a series of loops and turns after a pair of wings had extended from the sides of the craft to better enable their manoeuvres in the atmosphere.
The flock of winged creature increased their speed then as they swooped in to attack the craft that had invaded their airspace.
*****
Tarkovic was standing behind the pilot of the attack craft that had picked him up when the flock of winged creatures appeared on their screens.
“What the fuck are these?” he said as he viewed the flock in the distance.
“I’m not sure sir but there’s a fucking lot of ‘em and they look mean,” replied the pilot nervously.
“Get us back to base and I mean now,” Tarkovic ordered urgently.
The pilot fired the attack crafts after burners to boost their speed and blast them through the planet’s atmosphere, and out into space. The escaping attack craft’s speed took it out of the area before the flock got within striking distance leaving the Pulsar’s forward section the only viable target for their aggression.
*****
“Sir, I may have somewhere for us to land, not too far from your original landing site,” Artie said as he steered the craft away from the angry flock.
“No time to explain Artie, just take us there fast,” Riley said.
The AI fired the craft's main engines, as ordered. This took her into a powered dive back toward the ground.
The forest canopy gave way to a clearing. The opening was startling, not because of the suddenness of its appearance, although that, in itself was startling, but because of what it revealed.
“Is that what I think it is?” asked Natasha as she stood at Riley’s shoulder looking out of the forward viewport.
“I don’t believe it,” said Cooper in awe of the sight before them.
“Artie, that isn’t a hologram of some sort, is it. I mean those Outlaws haven’t somehow rigged something up to make us think we’re seeing, that, have
they?” Vance asked tentatively.
“No Lieutenant Vance, it is not a hologram and my sensors are picking up nothing that could transmit something of that complexity or magnitude,” replied the AI matter-of-factly.
Riley said, “Before any of you say another word, I’ve a feeling all our questions and possibly a whole lot more will be answered once we get down there.”
“Personally, I can’t wait,” said Kurt who was as intrigued as the rest of them.
“Okay Artie, take us in,” commanded Riley.
34
“Okay Garvey, we’re here, we’re under way so speak. What happened down on Tartaran all those years ago?” Sinclair said as the small group made themselves comfortable in the ready room.
“Okay General, I’ll tell you what I know, but you’re not going to like it,” Garvey said as he eased his long body into the chair next to Sinclair.
“I’m all ears Admiral, make it quick please, we’re running out of time,” Sinclair replied.
“I was a young Lieutenant when we first arrived. We’d heard about the planet from long range scans and we knew once we’d set off to explore it that the Alliance had done likewise. What we found was beyond even our wildest dreams though, dreams that soon turned to nightmares.
“Our preliminary scans had told us that Tartaran was an ‘E’ class planet, able to sustain humanoid life but when we arrived we learned from more detailed scans that the indigenous life forms were like nothing we’d seen on Earth or on any of the other ‘E’ class planets we’d visited at that time. We did further scans from orbit as we tried to learn more about these life forms but then came the time when, if we wanted to study them closely, we had to go down to the surface.
“A research team, along with a security detail was sent down to establish an observation post to study a group of animals we’d observed from orbit. We’d learned that, although these creatures didn’t fit into any specific species we knew of, they did group together. This particular group was isolated from all the others so we figured it would be easier to study them. We were so wrong.
