by John Walker
Gorman finished him off. “We’d better look around,” he said. “Make sure we’re alone.”
“I’m pretty sure we are,” Heat replied. “And even if we’re not, I say we go straight for the facility now. It’s clear our people have shoved these guys back. If we hustle, we can make it there in less than twenty minutes.”
“That’s a lot of running for our people,” Gorman warned. “They’re having a hard time right now and if we encounter another bunch of these?” He shook his head. “If we’re not cautious, we won’t be able to handle another attack. Not so easily at least.”
“We don’t have time for caution, man.” Heat turned and shouted for the others to join them. “Threat’s gone. We really need to haul ass if we want to get to the facility while we’re young. You guys up for a bit of a jaunt?”
“What kind of jaunt?” Vincent asked. “And what exactly do you mean by that?”
“I mean hauling some ass,” Heat replied. “We’re going to try to get there within the next twenty minutes … before we get attacked again.”
“We need to do it,” Cassie said. “We can’t delay ourselves out here any longer than we already have. The Gnosis doesn’t have time.”
Vincent turned to her. “Are you sure you’re okay with a run in this? It’s hotter than hell and we could end up being totally exhausted when we arrive.”
“We’ll work through.” Cassie shrugged. “We really don’t have a choice. Gil? Are you good?”
Gil nodded once. “I will be fine with whatever the team decides.”
Heat smirked. “There you go. We’ll double time it and get through these woods. I’ve got our bearing so we’ll come out right where we need to be. Do whatever it takes to keep up. If we’re attacked again, Gorman and I will take care of it. Just take cover and move away from the action. Our objective is to hit that facility no matter what. Understood?”
They all agreed, putting on determined expressions. Heat had seen such enthusiasm before from new recruits and fresh infantry. Those men he could fashion into hardened marines but Vincent and Cassie were bridge officers with skills practiced more than employed. He knew they were physically fit but this assignment was likely more than they should’ve been involved with.
“I’ll take point,” Heat said. “Gorman, you’re second. Gil, take up the rear. Don’t fall, watch your ankles and step firmly. This will be a brutal move but necessary. Believe me, if I had another option, I’d offer it. As it is, we gotta get there quick. Fall out, people! We’re wrapping this travel up early.”
***
Alicia watched her scanner as they approached the downed Tol’An capital ship. They were moving fast, flying barely five hundred feet above the ground. The tallest trees looked like they had the potential to touch the bottoms of their fighters and the shockwave from their passing made the branches sway wildly.
No power seemed to emanate from their target. It was a dead chunk of metal, little more than refuge against the elements as opposed to a base of operations. Even if they hit the reactor, it wouldn’t even explode. The best they could hope for was denying their enemy respite in the conflict.
If they can’t resupply, they can’t really attack the Gnosis again. Unless they want to employ sticks.
“Sixty seconds to target,” Dennis said. “Prepare for your attack run.”
Alicia checked her weapon systems. Missiles, beams and mass drivers all read fully functional and ready to rock. Six fighters delivering their full payloads would cause catastrophic damage to an unshielded, stationary target. If it was still remotely intact when they finished, she’d be surprised.
Scans pinged something on the ground, a group of troops moving through the forest. Alicia tried to gather additional details but it only stated they were on foot and humanoid. Very useful. What the heck’s up with this thing right now? She assumed the beam holding the Gnosis had interfered with their sensors.
“Got movement down there,” Alicia said. “Think they’re friendlies?”
Shane hummed. “Could be. We’ve got a group moving on the facility. Best to leave them alone.”
“True,” Dennis confirmed. “There’s no way to hit that area without causing some pretty significant damage. We cause a fire, even if they aren’t our people we might impact that mission. Begin your attack run. Give this thing everything you’ve got then loop around for patrol. If we get the word to attack the other ship, I’d like to be in position.”
The Tol’An ship crashed nose first and was jutting up into the air at an angle. Buried at least a dozen or more feet into the ground, it looked stuck. Even if they had been able to engage their engines, it didn’t look possible to launch. Their defenses would’ve also been easy to avoid, though the turrets long since lost any power to fire.
Alicia followed Dennis’s lead, plunging toward the stationary target. Soldiers poured out of the structure but they didn’t even hesitate. They just ran for the treeline as the fighters unloaded on their cover. Missiles crashed into their target just as beams melted the metal and mass drivers tore great chunks off the vessel.
Ships around her began pulling up but she held out for another few moments, laying in an additional volley. Yanking the stick back, Alicia climbed and banked around the trembling structure, flying around as it began to collapse. A beam passed by her nose and she glanced out her window, unable to see what might’ve taken the pot shot.
“Do they have weapons that can hit us up here?” Alicia asked. “Because that would turn this interesting really fast.”
“I’m on it,” Hal called, passing her by and strafing the ground. Plumes of soil launched into the air and more Tol’An fled the sinking crash site. “That should keep them busy for a minute.”
“Form up and let’s get out of here,” Dennis said. “Glad they revealed their little toy though. Climb to ten thousand feet and provide overwatch until further notice.”
Overwatch? Alicia sighed. The idea of waiting around for an attack that would never come annoyed her. The mercenaries didn’t deploy fighters, only the Tol’An and they already routed their ground forces sufficiently to make any further strafing runs mostly pointless. At least we’ll be able to identify incoming threats, I suppose.
They climbed, falling into a patrol pattern around the Gnosis. Nothing hit the scanners and there were no signs of enemy action in the air for miles around. If the aliens who took them down showed up, it might be a fight but otherwise, Alicia settled in for what promised to be little more than a boring session of check out the scenery.
Chapter 6
Heat held up his hand, signaling the others to stop. They reached the edge of the trees, peering out over the open landscape between them and the facility. No soldiers appeared to be around and the scene seemed tranquil and calm. Chances were the relative peace was deceiving and they were in for a big surprise.
Cassie joined him, crouching low as she brought out her computer. He looked at her, brows furrowed and she sighed.
“I need to scan the place so we can figure out how to get inside,” Cassie said. “That’s why we’re here, right?”
“You needed more time in a tactical school,” Heat replied. “When the point person indicates to stop, it means you don’t move unless directed otherwise. If there had been enemies up here, you would’ve potentially given away our position. Much as we want to bust into this place, I think we want to stay alive a little more.”
“There’s no one around,” Cassie said. Her cheeks burned. “But you’re right … I’m sorry.”
“Don’t do it again.” Heat glanced back at the others. “We seem to be clear. Get ready to cross in a moment.”
Vincent joined them, looking all around. Heat gave him some space, standing up to peer over the perimeter around the facility. The trees on the edge of the area hadn’t been tended to in some time but the grounds themselves looked as if someone recently mowed the grass and swept the walk.
Two cement paths bisected a trimmed lawn, and stairs led up to
the tall, stone building. The walls were smooth and brown without any indentation or carving in the surfaces. It stretched up a good five stories but apparently, the thing they needed was underground. That meant a basement or perhaps a higher tech facility, possibly accessed through an elevator.
The tactics of approaching the building bothered Heat. They had no intelligence about the site, no way of knowing what they were about to walk into. For all they knew, the place might be a death trap designed specifically to murder anyone who tried to infiltrate it. Crossing the threshold without so much as a floor plan involved a massive risk.
Gil stepped forward and looked over Cassie’s shoulder. He pointed at something. “The doors are definitely closed. I believe the recess will have an access panel. Providing they used Orb technology, we’ll be able to access it. However, I expect it will take time. These things are rarely simple to unlock.”
“How much time?” Vincent asked. “We’re going to be exposed out there.”
“We cannot possibly know without looking it over.” Gil shrugged. “Shall we go?”
Heat sighed and nodded. “I’m still on point.” He looked at Gorman. “Give me ten yards. If I don’t get lit up, head out.”
“And if you do?” Gorman asked, smirking.
“Then avenge me.” Heat shook his head and moved on, holding his weapon at the ready.
He stepped out on the cement path and welcomed the opportunity to traverse some even ground. A sweet scent hung gently in the air, floral and pleasant. It didn’t seem particularly natural but held more in common with an odor elimination product. Peering at the edges of the cement where the grass met the stone, he noted tiny grates no more than an inch wide.
Someone must be occupying this place and we just don’t know it. They have to refill that stuff.
“You okay?” Gorman called and Heat scowled back at him. They remained at the treeline, watching him expectantly.
“Yes, why?”
“You stopped.” Gorman shrugged.
“Just found something,” Heat said, gesturing to the ground. “Signs of civilization, albeit subtle. You’ll see when you get out here. Come on. I don’t think anyone’s going to bother us, at least not for a while.”
Heat picked up the pace and approached the stairs, taking them two at a time. He paused at the top, turning to look around. The scene from the landing took his breath away. The perfection of the courtyard and tall, thick trees felt positive and life affirming. Something must’ve been in that smelly stuff to make me think like this.
The others joined him and each fell silent for a few moments as they took in the place as well. Heat finally snapped out of it a good minute later and tapped Gil on the arm, gesturing for the recess where the doors stood. They were nestled neatly in the archway, twenty-feet high and made of some kind of dark metal.
“We have a problem,” Gil muttered. “I do not see any access panels.”
Sure enough, the rock near the door was smooth.
Cassie said, “Maybe it’s hidden. We’ve seen that before.” She approached a little too quickly for Heat’s taste. Five feet before she reached the entry, the doors slid open with little more than a loud hiss. No grating metal or grinding stone, just a subtle huff as if they were gliding on air.
“Um …” Gorman scratched his head. “No one thought that would happen, right?”
“Certainly not,” Vincent replied. “It makes me nervous. I feel like … like …”
“They’re inviting us in?” Cassie finished for him. “It does have a welcoming feeling … if a bit ominous.”
The dark passage beyond made Heat particularly nervous. They’d need to engage flashlights if they wanted to see the state of the place. If the floor had been as meticulously kept up as the courtyard, then they’d be fine but if not, then it could be a death trap. He turned to Vincent and shrugged.
“I’m deferring to you on this one, sir.”
“Opinion?” Vincent asked.
“This whole mission’s a huge risk.” Heat gestured to the building. “We don’t know what we’re going to find in there but we have to go in if we want to free the Gnosis. I say we just get it over with myself.”
“That what you would do if you were in charge of the mission?”
Gorman interjected, “He would’ve already been inside shooting someone.”
Heat scowled but bit his lip. “Anyway, if we don’t make a choice, the doctor or agent are going to just bust in there and force our hand.”
“Gil,” Vincent called. “Do you think it’s safe to go in?”
Gil nodded. “Scans indicate we are looking at favorable environmental conditions. It is cooler within than out here so I personally endorse stepping inside. Each of us has a light so we should be able to see. Shall we proceed?”
“No life forms,” Cassie added. “None that I can detect and the power source we’re after is definitely in there and below us. Maybe three floors down. We’ll know more when we get closer to it.”
“Okay.” Vincent drew a deep breath and let it out. “We’ve got this. Lights on and awareness up. We don’t know what we’re going to find in there so try to be on your toes. You’ve all heard stories about ancient temples and their traps. None of you are allowed to fall prey to one. That’s an order.”
“Yes, it is true,” Gil added. “These locations tend to be filled with some incredibly dangerous pitfalls. One of my colleagues had his spine severed by a powerful chain which whipped out of a hole in the wall, cleaving him in two. It was a spectacular and horrifying event to be sure.”
“Thanks for that vision,” Heat grumbled, stepping forward. “I’ll volunteer to be the first victim of the weed whacker defense system. Please stay a few paces behind me just in case we need room to maneuver. Believe me, the last thing we need is to be bumping into each other while trying to avoid being cut in half.”
***
Fielding’s computer gave him a warning of more incoming soldiers, this time from the mercenary side. The soldiers took refuge on the hull, staying away from the edges except to keep an eye out for intruders. Up until that point, they’d had a quiet time after their assault. After pursuing some of the enemies over the hill, no one seemed willing to try their luck again.
The Gnosis security personnel still hadn’t found the final Tol’An that infiltrated the ship. He couldn’t imagine where the bastard was hiding but if they become overly distracted by the incoming assault, he might try to slip out. Or cause more trouble. Considering they had no idea where he might be sneaking around, it stood to reason he was looking for opportunities.
Those maintenance tunnels would be a great place to remain unnoticed.
Private First Class Marvin Singer’s voice filled his helmet. “Sir, I’m seeing ten incoming … They’re just beyond maximum range. Should I engage?”
Fielding considered the request for a moment and decided against it. “Negative, we have no idea if they’re—”
A loud zap from off to the east interrupted him, near the large group of mercenaries. He turned in that direction and saw one of the marines lying on his back, Private Singer! The front of his armor was blackened and partially melted and a quick tap into his HUD indicated his life signs were offline.
“Get that man back!” Fielding shouted. “Get away from that edge! Did any of you see what happened?”
The marines dragged Singer’s body toward the center of the Gnosis, each of them remaining low. Fielding approached, dropping prone to crawl toward the edge so he could aim his rifle over and use the camera to check out their attackers. The group stood on a small hill with a mounted weapon with a long barrel.
Heavy weapons! Damn it! It made sense. If their sole purpose was to profit from conflict, they’d have such things. He wondered why they hadn’t fielded any vehicles against them but perhaps they’d been damaged in their own crash. Either way, that thing was deadly, even to the power armor.
Fielding established a com connection to the bridge as he inched back
ward, remaining out of sight. They could probably open a hole in the hull with that thing. I hope to God they don’t have more. If they start tearing into us with our shields down, we’re going to be wide open to a full-on assault. I hope the pilots are ready for another strafing run. We need it.
***
“Captain,” Salina drew Desmond’s attention away from the various reports. “I have the mercenaries on the line finally. They’ve responded and wish to speak.”
“Send it to my station,” Desmond replied. “I’ll take it privately.”
“Lieutenant Fielding also has an urgent report.”
“Take it and send it to my terminal while I talk to this other guy.” Desmond waited until his earbud began to hiss. The built in translator automatically began working, taking the Pahxin language and converting it to English.
“Downed vessel …” The voice lacked all tone, the computer robbing it of malice or friendliness. “We are offering you one chance to surrender and grant us entry. We have heavy weapons and will begin to sheer off your exterior in a few moments. Know that we expect full and complete cooperation.”
Desmond didn’t immediately reply but turned his attention to his terminal. Salina put through the report from Fielding, confirming the enemy’s weapon. He wondered why the marines hadn’t taken them out until he saw that one of their own had already been killed. Power armor couldn’t stand up against it.
“We’d like to cooperate with you,” Desmond replied. “I don’t see any reason for us to surrender when we can help one another. I know that your ship was damaged. We have supplies and are happy to assist. There’s no need for further violence between us. I get that you were desperate but we can work this out if you’ll let us.”
Fielding’s report stated the weapon was an emplacement and thus not particularly maneuverable. His first suggestion involved an air strike from the fighters followed up by an assault by the ground forces. Desmond agreed with the assessment but wanted to try to reason with the mercenaries first.
