by Sarah Noffke
A loud explosion rocked the ground. Both Julianna and the soldier ducked to protect their faces from the debris that flooded the shelter belt. A second blast sent a heat wave into them. The explosions were probably keeping the Mamaths back, but apparently weren’t enough.
“Where’s the brunt of the attack coming from?” asked Julianna, scooting up beside the soldier.
He pointed at a clearing she could plainly see from where she was sitting. The Federation troops were hunkered down behind crates and half-destroyed tents. The Mamaths, which were much more menacing in person, thundered through the camp. They tore through tents with flicks of their wrists. The giants were impossibly tall, almost towering over the trees around them.
“Where’s your lieutenant?” asked Julianna.
The guy scanned the chaos and pointed to a pair of soldiers barricaded behind a huge boulder. It was at the edge of the camp, close to the approaching Mamaths.
“The one on the right,” he yelled over another explosion.
The lieutenant pulled a pin from a grenade and threw it at the closest Mamath. Then he and the other soldiers ducked and covered their ears. Snow exploded, causing the Mamath to fall and scuttle backward. Julianna expected that to be the end of it, but a few seconds later the undeterred beast pushed itself to its feet.
“Stubborn assholes, aren’t they?” mused Julianna.
“You have no idea,” the guy said, sounding weary.
“Stay here,” said Julianna, rising to a standing position.
“You can’t go out there. They’ll eat you for lunch,” said the guy frantically.
“Don’t worry, I’m not on the menu.” Julianna sprinted head-down in the direction of Lieutenant Fletcher. He was wearing a puffy white coat like hers and on his head was a white cap, which, now that Julianna thought about it, might have helped poor Lars.
Fletcher turned in time to see Julianna approach and had a similar reaction to the first soldier’s. How long had it been since this group had seen outsiders?
“I’m here to help. The Federation sent me,” yelled Julianna. She threw her back up against the rock when she met them.
“Who are you?” asked Fletcher, taking deep breaths. A nearby explosion made them all duck. The Mamaths were close. Too close.
“I’m with a classified unit like yours, and the general has reassigned you to us. We’re taking you out of here,” said Julianna, glancing over the rock. There was an approaching Mamath about twenty yards away.
“I saw the orders, but we’ve been a little busy,” said Fletcher. “Command said reinforcements were on the way, but I gotta tell you, lady—I expected more.”
“We’re all the help you need,” she said. “Are you ready for extraction?”
“To where?” he asked. “The mission report didn’t say, which is one of the many annoying aspects of working off the books.”
“The QBS ArchAngel. You’re going to assist Ghost Squadron,” said Julianna.
Fire, loud and bright, shot from the north, which meant Eddie was on the scene. Several Mamaths ran in the opposite direction to another shelter belt in the distance.
“ArchAngel? You’ve got to be kidding me! Who are you?” asked Fletcher.
“Commander Julianna Fregin,” she explained, “and I’m totally serious. You want off this cold-ass planet or don’t you?”
“Holy Hell!” Fletcher blinked and dropped his jaw, his pale-blue eyes suddenly stunned, then saluted. “Commander Fregin. I had no idea. What an honor this is. I’ve heard stories about you from the war. You’re—”
“Forget that,” she snapped. “Focus on the job and let’s get you boys out of here.”
“Yes, of course,” he said with a chuckle. “But it’s not every day you get to meet a legend. We’re ready to move on your mark, ma’am.”
“Your men, are they scattered?” asked Julianna. “How dispersed from this position are they?”
“It looks like they are mostly headed this way,” said Fletcher, pointing.
Half a dozen soldiers were racing toward them with the fire at their backs. Eddie was showing off.
She popped up and realized that the Mamath that had been approaching was only ten feet away. He was dumber than the rest, apparently, and bigger, too. At his back were two others and they formed a giant wall, their eyes narrowed and steam pouring from their nostrils.
“Okay, round up your men. We’re heading out,” said Julianna, standing and facing the Mamaths.
“We’ll never get out of here in time. They have us surrounded. And by the time we get through the shelter belt it will be too late,” said Fletcher.
“That was an order, Lieutenant,” said Julianna. She could see Eddie, in the distance, firing at each approaching Mamath. Some fled when he fired. Some merely held up their arm to shield, being a safe enough distance from the flame.
“Yes, Commander,” said Fletcher at her back.
She threw up her chin, looking at the Mamath ahead who had just noticed her. “How you doing, ugly?”
The monster grunted and then opened his mouth and yelled so loud it hurt her ears.
“What?” she asked. “I think you said you’re cold, is that right?”
She stood with her feet apart, one hand on the nozzle and the other on the lever.
The Mamath stomped, making the ground vibrate. Then he hunched low and charged in her direction. She pulled on the lever and a steady stream of hot-ass fire spilled from the hose, knocking straight into the Mamath. He caught on fire at once and it spread over his front, shoulders and head. Madly, the monster threw himself into the snow and rolled, trying to extinguish himself.
They might have been stupid, but they knew to stop, drop and roll. That was something, Julianna thought.
The Mamaths who had flanked the first had shielded their faces from the fire. They peeked out of their clawed fingers, like scared children.
“Are you cold, too?” Julianna yelled across the snow at them.
She pulled the lever and fire again streamed from the thrower. Behind the bright fire she made out the visual of the Mamaths retreating. The first was on hands and knees, crawling away.
To the south, more soldiers were fleeing in their direction. Lars was there, blasting through the crowd of Mamaths, making them retreat.
Julianna was about to celebrate a near victory when she turned to Eddie. He was blasting away Mamaths, but didn’t see that one had back tracked. The beast was behind him, approaching, looking to fucking tip toe across the snow.
“Teach!” yelled Julianna.
He looked up at her, still streaming fire, keeping back two Mamaths that were trying hard to get to him.
She indicated to his back, but the Mamath then lunged at Teach. Julianna sprinted at once, abandoning her position. Eddie turned, but before he could whip the fire in that direction, the Mamath picked him up by the base of his coat and slung him through the air. He collided with the first row of prickly evergreens.
Julianna released her fire at once, yelling loudly at the monster. The fire blasted him straight in the chest, knocking him back. She doubled back, shooting fire the entire time.
Eddie lay at the base of trees, but was pushing up when she approached.
“You alright?” she asked, keeping the Mamaths at bay.
“Yeah, I’ll survive.” He groaned, disconnecting himself from the branches of a stubborn tree.
Send in the Black Eagles. We’re ready to get the fuck out of here, Julianna said to Pip.
You got it boss, he replied.
A moment later, the three Black Eagles soared overhead, from the tree line. Once they’d passed the line where the Special Forces were they began firing, pushing the Mamath back.
“Come on Teach. Let’s get out of here,” she yelled, as he pulled away from the trees where he’d been lodged. He looked a bit battered from the assault, but mostly fine. She knew something like this was going to happen.
“But I didn’t get to make a snow man,” he pretended
to complain.
“Next time,” she said.
Fletcher had rounded up most of his men. Lars ran in their direction, having been relieved by the Black Eagles.
“Through the trees. Our ships are on the other side of the clearing,” ordered Julianna.
“You heard the commander,” yelled Fletcher, a wide smile on his face. He had probably never been so relieved. “Let’s get the hell out of this shithole!”
Chapter Six
Officers’ Lounge, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System
The lounge on the QBS ArchAngel felt extra small with all the new Special Ops team taking up every barstool. Chester stopped in the entryway and almost turned around, but he spied a guy leaning over next to Marilla on the pretext of helping her line up a shot at the pool table. Wasn’t that the oldest trick in the book? Oh, honey, let me show you how to do it, with my body pressed against yours. Chester didn’t laugh at his internal banter as he usually did.
The soldier had a brown flat-top, large biceps, and a barrel chest. He could no doubt bench-press Chester’s nerdy self.
Marilla stepped to the side and shook her head, looking nervous. That was a good sign. Her nonverbal cues said she wasn’t into him.
Chester ambled over with a bit more swagger than usual.
“Hey Mar, have you seen the captain?” asked Chester. He knew exactly where the captain was. You’d have to be blind and deaf not to see him holding court at the bar, telling a story to half a dozen of the Special Ops team. His arms waved wildly as he described something in his tall tale.
“Chest! Hi!” Marilla squeaked, looking relieved to see him. Was he imagining that? Hoping for the reaction?
“’Chest?’” the meathead repeated.
“Chester,” the hacker corrected him. “I’m the Chester Wilkerson.”
“’The?’ Like you’re someone important?” asked the flat-top.
Chester sorted through fifteen different insults to determine the perfect one, but before he could use it the jerk-face laughed.
“I’ve never heard of you.” The man laid his arm around Marilla’s shoulder and an uncomfortable expression jumped to her face. “Should I know who this guy is?” he asked her.
“You should, but you’ve been stuck on an ice cube of a planet so I get that you’re a bit sheltered,” Chester quipped.
Marilla shrugged out from under the guy’s arm. He cast her an annoyed look and said, “Someone has to fight the good fight. That was why they brought us here.” He looked Chester up and down, taking in his frayed jeans and T-shirt. “I’m guessing you’re a civilian, is that right?”
Marilla grabbed Chester’s hand and pulled him toward the bar. “Come on, the captain is over here.”
He had hardly registered that she’d yanked him away from the thug because her hand was in his. “Hey, you didn’t give me a chance to answer that brute.”
Marilla halted and her eyes swiveled up to meet Chester’s. “What does it matter?”
Chester glanced down at their still-intertwined hands. “It mattered to me.”
Marilla yanked her hand away and put it on her hip. “You could have told him that you’re the best hacker in this galaxy and he wouldn’t have cared. His type doesn’t put stock in intelligence. They think we’re safe and free because they fight, but what they don’t get is that people like you and me do a lot behind the scenes. Things that really matter.”
She was absolutely radiant right then with the passion burning in her brown eyes. Marilla had always been beautiful, but this fire made her come alive in a new way.
“You don’t think I’m the best hacker in this galaxy?” asked Chester, feigning offense.
Marilla rolled her eyes, then turned for the bar and said as she stalked off, “Chester Wilkerson, you are absolutely impossible.”
“And you can’t get enough of me,” he sang, strolling with a bit more confidence than before.
“I’m not kidding. He was this big,” said Eddie, holding his hand over his head.
“Whoa, and you kicked his ass?” Lieutenant Chad Fletcher asked. He, like everyone on his team, had cleaned up and changed into a fresh uniform. Fletcher had a bald head and an easy smile. He appeared to be the same age as most on his team, but there was a maturity in his eyes.
“Oh, hell no. I got my ass handed to me,” said Eddie with a loud laugh. “But when the savage thought I had passed out and turned his back, I jumped him and ran his head through the bar.”
The crowd around them howled with laughter. Julianna took a long drink, staring around. She’d been quiet most of the evening, allowing Eddie to hold the spotlight. It was better for her if people found her unassuming. That way when she took charge, they took notice.
“I thought you said the commander was there,” said Fletcher.
Eddie nodded, beaming at Julianna. “She was there the second time. I was about to have my ass handed to me that time too.”
“Because he likes trouble,” said Julianna, mostly into her glass.
“It’s true. I do. But Jules stepped in and saved the day, just like on Klamath,” said Eddie.
“You would have been alright both times,” said Julianna.
“Yeah, but it’s more fun if we get to tag team in these fights,” said Eddie.
Fletcher emptied his beer, thumping it on the bar with a satisfied sigh. “I have to tell you, Commander, when you arrived on Klamath and said you were pulling us out of there, I thought an angel had just fallen.”
The men and women around him cheered. They all wore wide smiles. Each was grateful to be aboard the QBS ArchAngel and not fighting Mamaths.
Julianna laughed. How could she not? In all her life, no one had described her as an angel.
“Yeah, I bet you’re actually too warm on this ship after being on that cold-ass planet,” said Eddie.
Fletcher blew out a breath as he shook his head. “You have no idea. And not only is the environment better, but it sounds like you people have fun.”
“We try to keep it entertaining,” said Eddie. “What’s the point in kicking dickwads around and not having a giggle while you do it?”
The crowd around Eddie erupted in laughter, and he lapped up the attention.
“Hey, Captain,” called Chester. His normally pale face was a bit flushed. “We still on for that game of pool?”
Eddie looked at the hacker and his mouth broke into a smile. “You know it! I hear you’re a pool shark, and want to see this firsthand.” Fletcher and many of the others slapped Eddie on the back as he passed them. He nodded to the crowd as he left. As soon as he was gone, the space fell uncomfortably quiet. It almost felt darker, like he had carried a light with him.
Julianna dismissed herself and strode for the exit. Once in the corridor, she welcomed the silence. Sitting by the wall as if waiting for someone was their scruffy dog Harley. Reflexively Julianna flinched, remembering the wolves, but the playful look in Harley’s eyes was completely different from the menacing anger on the wolves’ faces.
“What, are dogs not allowed in the lounge?” Julianna asked dryly.
Harley yipped back excitedly.
“Maybe I should go back in there then,” she teased, walking down the hallway. Harley followed her, looking down at the deck and then back up at her expectantly.
Julianna halted and glanced down at the dog. He sat and stared up at her, his mouth wide open and tongue spilling over the side. “Tell me, what exactly are you so happy about?”
Harley, as if on cue, mumbled a bit in his dog voice.
“That made zero sense,” complained Julianna.
He barked loudly in reply.
“Seriously, I don’t get you at all. You’re happy all the time. You do nothing but play and sleep, and you’re liked by most everyone,” said Julianna.
Harley lifted one of his paws as if offering her a handshake.
“And yes, I said most everyone. Assume away.” She turned and walked off, and the smelly and shedding fleabag followed dutifull
y beside her.
Chapter Seven
General Reynolds’ Office, QBS ArchAngel, Behemoth System
“Well, well, well. Here’s our favorite general and mystery man,” said Eddie upon entering Lance’s office. The general had asked ArchAngel to send word to Julianna and Eddie that he was aboard.
Julianna saluted, her back straight.
Lance smiled modestly and indicated the two chairs beside Jack. “Please join us.”
“You didn’t tell us we were getting a surprise visit from the general,” Eddie said to Jack.
“That was because, as you mentioned, it was a surprise,” said Jack.
“Touché.” Eddie winked.
“I informed Jack that as soon as I had a chance then I’d be stopping by,” said Lance. “That was once he’d told me that the man behind these attacks on the fringe was Felix Castile. I asked him to keep the information in confidence, and told him I’d brief you two in person at my earliest convenience.”
“Oh, good—you’re going to shed a bit of light on that power-hungry spit-fuck,” said Eddie.
Lance picked up his unlit cigar and rolled it in his fingers. “I don’t think what I have to share will shine too much light on the man. It’s hard to understand why some take such a vindictive path when peace is clearly the better option, but they keep us in business, and I suspect they always will.”
“Peace isn’t an option to those who are consumed by greed, sir,” said Julianna.
Lance nodded appreciatively. “Well put, Commander.” He set the cigar back down on the desk and regarded the three in front of him for a moment before saying, “Felix Castile, as you already know, is a powerful, intelligent, and wealthy man. He’s self-made, which normally I’d respect the hell out of. Nevertheless, for all of his positive attributes, he’s still a fucking asshole. Give a man brains, wealth and prestige and it won’t matter if, at his core, he’s rotten.
“The Federation had employed Felix in different roles. We were planning the first major transport mission back to Earth,” explained Lance. “Felix had insisted that his loyalty to the Federation and service meant he’d have a place on that transport ship. He believed he had earned the right to go, largely because of his wealth and connections, but that’s not how it works.”
