Ari feverishly searched for the detonation button on his wrist.
Aided by the light above the mirror, the soldier quickly spotted the large, prone figure on the floor across the room. The first burst from his gun sent bullets in a narrow vertical stream, first deflecting off the floor into Ari’s armor, then directly impacting across his chest and stopping just below the mirror.
Ari found the button, and a painfully brilliant flash filled the room, blinding his assailant. The soldier winced and staggered sideways. Stunned, and having lost his orientation, he started firing indiscriminately in short bursts, spraying bullets all over the room.
“Move, Ari! Move now!” Jack said. “More are coming! That flash drew a lot of attention.”
Adrenaline pumping, Ari rose to his knees and spun toward Adie. In a series of rapid movements, he lifted her knees, wrapped his arms around her back and shins, and lifted her off the floor. Then, compressing her body into the fetal position, he elevated his left shoulder until her head fell inward against his chest. Confident that he had done all he could to protect her, he started toward the stairwell, keeping his back to the main entrance and the gunfire.
“Move, Ari! Move!” Jack yelled. “You’ve got two troops almost at the door and five more about a minute out.”
Bullets from the blinded soldier whizzed by. One ricocheted off the armor on Ari’s right calf, nearly knocking him off his feet. After another short burst, the shooting abruptly stopped, and the soldier slowly backed away, working frantically to change magazines.
Now nearly halfway to the stairwell, Ari could hear the approaching soldiers shouting to their comrade...then silence.
———————
Katie settled into the command seat, her eyes fixed on Merrick, hoping he wouldn’t have to leave. An unfamiliar trembling began in her lower abdomen and worked its way up to her chest.
Merrick had watched the drama intensify on his display. His moment had come. It was time to act. He turned his seat inward toward Katie and reached for his helmet.
Katie stared at him with pleading eyes, slowly shaking her head. “No,” she said softly. “Don’t go.”
With a calming wink, Merrick rose from his seat, slipped the helmet over his head, and gently touched her arm. “Deploy the ramp for me, will you? And close it as soon as I’m clear. Then, watch the display. I’ll let you know when to lower it again. Remember, timing is everything.”
———————
Ari’s helmet display showed the two soldiers just outside the door.
The first soldier, worried that his comrades might mistake him for the enemy, shouted out in Arabic, “I’m here! I can’t see!”
The two soldiers moved forward and braced themselves against opposite sides of the threshold, scanning the dim room for movement.
Meanwhile, Merrick stepped out onto the roof. As the ramp closed behind him, he turned to the right and tossed his only flash capsule in the direction of the approaching troops. A bright flash lit up the compound, and he moved quickly toward the roof entryway.
The stunning flash did its work, blinding the five advancing soldiers plus three others not far behind.
“Good grief, that stirred up the nest,” Jack said. “Look, we’ve got armored vehicles entering the compound. It’s time to go, Doc!”
The two soldiers at the washroom door were unaffected by the flash behind them. Even worse, the detonation provided the light they needed to spot Ari’s large figure nearing the stairwell. One of them moved into the room, and called out, “Over there!”
Understanding that accurate gunfire was imminent and unable to reach the capsule detonation button, Ari leaned over as he entered the stairwell and smashed his left wrist-module against the wall, detonating his second flash capsule.
The first bullets were already flying when the capsule ignited. One soldier lost orientation and drifted off target, while the other continued to fire with some degree of accuracy, raking the stairwell with an extended continuous burst. Five rounds found their mark, three of which were deflected. Ari winced in pain as one round pierced a crease in his upper armor. The partially spent bullet penetrated his upper back and lodged itself against the left shoulder blade. The second impact was more pronounced. The bullet passed through a one-inch gap in his armor just below his buttocks and pierced deep into his right thigh, narrowly missing the bone.
Merrick keyed his com-link. “Doc, I’m just outside the roof entrance. When you pass by, I’ll step in behind you and give you cover.”
“Almost there…,” came Ari’s pained response.
It was a combination of adrenaline, conditioning, and reduced gravity that saw Ari and his precious cargo to the roof. Straining to hang on, he passed Merrick, moving as quickly as he could toward the landing craft.
Merrick stepped forward and faced the stairwell entrance, shielding Ari’s escape.
On the landing craft, Brooke detached the port side gurney from the wall and spun it 90 degrees (crossways in the cabin) to receive Adie.
Jack, who had been carefully monitoring his display, shuddered at what he saw. “Merrick, one of the soldiers is moving toward the stairwell! He must have blinked during the flash, and the Doc can’t reach his detonator!”
“Cue me when he’s half way up!” Merrick replied.
Katie fixed her eyes on the command display. At wit’s end and charged with adrenaline, she deployed the ramp for Ari and rose to go after Merrick. “We’ve got to stop him! He’s defenseless!” she yelled, heading aft.
“Doc!” Jack barked at Walt, thrusting his head back in Katie's direction.
The gurney stretching across the back of the cabin slowed Katie's progress enough for Walt to make the interception. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close. Her spirited struggle surprised him. “Katie, sweetheart—Katie—Katie, let’s not do this. God’s in control here. Why not let Merrick do what he came to do? Don’t be afraid, now. He’ll be fine.”
After a moment, her panic subsided. “I don’t want to lose him, Doc,” she sobbed, tears flowing.
“Where is he, Jack?” Merrick asked, impatient with the Syrian’s progress.
“He’s being cautious; almost there.”
Ari started up the ramp.
“Doc Maran, I need a hand here,” Brooke called out.
Walt acknowledged and gently turned Katie around. “Go on up there and close the ramp behind Doc Stratford. Be ready for Merrick, though; he’ll be right back.”
Katie reluctantly headed back to the command console.
Walt turned around just in time to assist Ari in lowering Adie onto the gurney. As the ramp came shut, Brooke covered Adie in a blanket and moved the gurney back into its place against the wall.
Meanwhile, the Syrian had finally crossed the line, and Jack alerted Merrick. “You’re on, my friend! He’s halfway up.”
“Listen, don’t be alarmed,” Merrick cautioned. “I’m going to switch over to Arabic and start making some threatening racket to scare him off. And Doc, get ready to fire those other flash caps!”
“Yeah,” Ari said, holding onto Adie’s hand and struggling to concentrate.
Merrick made his move. Cranking external audio to maximum, he leaped through the entryway to the top of the stairs, arms flailing and screaming like a banshee. The Syrian, shocked by Merrick’s immense size, imposing body armor, and terrorizing behavior, froze temporarily in panic. Merrick rushed down the stairs bellowing threats in Arabic. The Syrian took two steps back and closed his finger on the trigger. A half dozen rounds ripped across Merrick’s armor before he wrenched the rifle from his adversary’s hands and shattered it against the wall. The soldier turned and dashed down the stairs, presumably in search of another weapon.
Meanwhile Ari, who had been eyeing the tactical display in his helmet, fired the third flash capsule, delayed a few seconds, and then fired the fourth.
“Okay, that’s it!“ Jack prodded, “let’s go!”
Merrick tur
ned and sprinted up the stairs, taking three steps at a time. “Katie—deploy the ramp!” he yelled.
Katie, nerves shot and finger shaking uncontrollably over the touch screen, had to use her other hand to steady herself and deploy the ramp. It had only been down for a few seconds when Merrick came bounding into the cabin. He gave Katie a thumbs-up, and the ramp came shut.
Responding to Brook’s coaxing, Ari reluctantly left Adie’s side and made his way across the cabin, light-headed and dazed. He set his helmet on the med console, and with an agonized groan, settled slowly into the seat, eyes fixed on Adie, still unconscious on the gurney.
Merrick went forward to relieve Katie. “Nice work,” he said, reaching out to help her up. “Why are you trembling? What’s wrong?”
With a nervous smile, Katie said, “What you and Doc Stratford did out there, well, it was the most heroic thing I’ve ever seen…. But that’s about as much excitement as this girl can take.” She rose from her seat and kissed him warmly on the cheek before leaving to help Brooke.
Jack turned to Ari. “You know, Doc, you should have kept a better eye on that tactical display.”
“Excuse me, Doc,” Brooke interrupted. “Adie’s got a pretty good bump on her head.”
Working to maintain focus, Ari said, “I don’t think she hit hard enough for a concussion. She should come around in a minute.”
“What about the sedative?” Brooke asked.
Ari shook his head. “Not just now.”
Merrick disengaged station-keeping, took the landing craft up 100 feet, and started a slow ascending turn to the south, heading down the valley and out of harm’s way.
CHAPTER 31
Katie was first to notice the two dark spots on the floor at the rear of the cabin. She reached down for a sample and held it under the light above Adie’s gurney. “Someone’s bleeding!”
Brooke swung back to Adie. “Let’s turn her over.”
“Not necessary!” Ari interrupted.
All eyes shifted to Ari and then to the blood smear on the lead edge of his seat.
Walt, who was standing at the rear of the cabin, moved quickly toward Ari. “Unbelievable! Why didn’t you say something? Brooke, help me get him to the gurney...where are you hurt, old boy?”
Groaning as he was assisted up, Ari pointed toward his back. “Left shoulder...right upper thigh.”
While Walt held him upright, the nurses carefully removed the armor, exposing two holes in his undergarment. Katie noticed a crimson streak running down the back of Ari’s leg and retrieved the lower armor. Reaching down into the right heel, she withdrew her hand, covered in blood.
“Jack, get ops on the line!” Walt blared.
As Jack opened the channel, Brooke moved quickly to control the bleeding.
“Candy!” Jack called out.
“No!” Ari protested, keeping his voice down.
Jack turned to see Ari gesturing for him to break off with the controller. “Stand-by, Control!”
Beginning to weaken, Ari explained, “If they know I’m seriously wounded, they’ll have us put her back on the surface, leave her there, and return to the ship. That is not going to happen. As I told you when we briefed, the responsibility for this mission is mine and mine alone—all decisions and all actions. Everyone agreed to that.
“As long as they think I’m all right, everyone is covered. So it’s imperative that I get these things resolved before I pass out.“ Ari shook his head, trying to fend off the inevitable. “I know you all have questions, but right now I just need your trust.” He turned to Walt. “Pass me my helmet, would you?” Ari gathered his strength and gestured for Jack to put him through to the ship.
“Control?” Ari said.
Candy Rayborn seemed impatient. “What’s your status, Jack? How long till you set the girl down?”
“A change in plans,” Ari said, feigning confidence and stamina.
“Dr. Stratford, what are your intentions, sir?” Candy said, recognizing Ari’s voice.
“I’m not going to leave her.”
The rescue crew looked at one other, astonished.
“Stand-by, sir,” Candy said, “I’m transferring you to the captain.”
Captain Argon was in his office conferring with the senior counselor when the call came in. “Yes, Control...how is the crew?”
“Sir, there’s been a development. I have Dr. Stratford on com.”
“Is everyone okay?”
“I think Dr. Stratford should explained it, sir.”
“Very well, put him through.”
“I’m passing him over, sir.”
“Ari, my boy, are you all right?”
“Yes, we’re all fine, sir. But I need for you to know...I won’t leave her.”
The revelation caught Captain Argon off guard. “What is it, Ari? What’s this all about? I thought we were just saving her from an attack. Are you telling me you have feelings for this young woman?”
“Sir, I love her.”
Ari’s crew was speechless, wondering what would happen next.
“You mean as a sister?”
Ari hesitated. “At first...yes, but when I met her in person, well, something happened. I’m in love with her. I’m sure of it.”
Katie couldn’t take her eyes off Merrick, who glanced over in time to catch her warm smile.
The com-link fell silent for a moment as Captain Argon considered.
“Ari, you know this is insane,” Captain Argon continued. “She isn’t one of us. Don’t you think she needs to be with her own people? She doesn’t even know you.”
Ari backed up and sat against the empty gurney. “Sir, her family is gone—all except a few relatives on the other side of the planet. She has one or two friends in the compound, but they have little in common...and yes, she may miss them...and no, she doesn’t know me, but I would like for her to have the chance and then make up her own mind.”
Walt was starting to see signs of life in Adie and alerted Ari with a hand motion.
Ari nodded and bent forward, trying to keep the blood in his head. His mind began to blur.
Seeing Ari in distress, Brooke stepped forward to steady him.
In a delayed response, the captain said, “Ari, you are asking me to approve the very thing we have been instructed to avoid….”
“Sir, I understand your position, but I won’t leave her. If I can’t bring her up to the ship, I will stay with her on the surface. I won’t leave her alone...I won’t leave her alone,” he repeated.
“But Ari, you’ve put me in an impossible position here. The way I see it, we only have two options: We leave you both on the surface, and I lose my senior medical officer, or we bring her back to the ship. Losing you is unthinkable, and if we bring this young woman up here against her will, I won’t be able to live with myself. Is there no middle ground, my boy?”
Realizing the captain had misunderstood, Ari said, “Sir, I’m sorry if I didn’t make myself clear. I do not intend to force Adie to do anything against her will. If I accompany her to the surface and she sends me away, I will return to the ship. Likewise, if I can’t persuade her to come up to the ship, I will return her to her people. You have my word.”
The com-link fell silent as the captain responded to a gesture from the senior counselor. “What do you think, Morg?” he asked.
“You and I both know informal contact has been approved once before,” the senior counselor replied. “Sure, it didn’t work out, but the fact that the mission was approved sets a precedent.”
———————
In the mid-nineteenth century, two Earth missions earlier, a female biotech had become emotionally attached to a Russian soldier. Following a skirmish, the soldier found himself cut off behind enemy lines without food or ammunition. The biotech petitioned her ship’s council and won approval to attempt a rescue. Unfortunately, the soldier was captured before the crew could reach him.
———————
Captain Argon ac
knowledged the incident. “Let’s not kid each other, Morg. You, myself, and probably every member of this crew, except maybe Doc Socal, want to see this happen. I can think of nothing more exciting than the opportunity to interact with a fellow human from another civilization. And I hate to say it, but Ari twisting our arm like this has given us the perfect opportunity and reasonable justification to approve such an action. If she’s willing to come up, think of what we can learn.”
“Yes, but we mustn’t forget, she’ll be learning as well,” the senior counselor cautioned.
“I’ll address that,” the captain said.
Meanwhile, Ari struggled to remain conscious until the com-link returned to life. He looked around the cabin at his crewmates. “Sorry, guys. I know this isn’t what you signed on for.”
“Nonsense!” Walt said. “This is better than what we signed on for. We’re all here for you, my friend.” The others echoed their support.
Captain Argon reopened the channel. “All right, Ari...all right.... Here’s what we’ll do. We’re giving you an additional three hours to try to persuade this young woman to come with you. If she is willing, then bring her up. She can stay as long as she wishes. Just remember, you must safeguard the details of our technology, now and until such time as she makes a formal commitment to Marcovan citizenship. But regardless, whether she chooses to join us or return to the surface, I want you back in 5 hours.”
Ari breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, sir...thank you. I accept full responsibility for her welfare and for the safeguarding of our technology. I will return with the crew in 5 hours.”
“Believe me, my boy, I truly hope this goes well, for all our sakes. God bless you and your brave crew.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Captain Argon transferred com back to the controller, who promptly began exchanging flight and mission data with Merrick and Jack.
Ari was fading fast. He managed to pull his helmet off and point Brooke to the refrigeration unit. “Open it,” he said.
Brooke pulled out the small equipment bag, looked inside, and began to place the items on the med console. “Wow, Doc! You don’t leave much to chance.”
Ari unclipped the auto-injector from his hip and passed it to Brooke. “Adie probably needs insulin. When she comes around, ask her when she had her last injection...And let’s get her a patch for that eye. Her glasses didn’t make it. Also, you’ll find four units of blood there—two of Merrick’s and two of mine. Jack, you need to keep an eye on Adie’s comrades—the ones who went to town. She’ll want to know if they’re all right.”
To Earth and Back Page 22
